Head of Business Development - Investigations & Intelligence

Our client, a global Corporate Investigations and Business Intelligence firm, is seeking an accomplished and commercially driven senior professional to accelerate growth through strategic client acquisition and relationship management. You will be responsible for designing and executing growth strategies that expand the client portfolio, deepen service capabilities, and increase case complexity. You will lead by example, foster high standards across project delivery and team performance.

The Director will spearhead business development across priority markets, lead high-value client relationships, and oversee the execution of complex investigative mandates. This individual will mentor project teams, maintain commercial discipline, and contribute to firm-wide innovation. Directors operate with significant autonomy and are accountable for meeting ambitious revenue and growth targets in line with the board-approved business plan.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of client acquisition strategies, focusing on multinational corporations, legal counsel, and financial institutions.
• Expand existing client relationships and drive cross-border, multi-service engagements.
• Promote integrated solutions across investigations, due diligence, asset tracing, and strategic intelligence.
• Collaborate with marketing and comms to maximise brand visibility and generate quality leads through targeted campaigns and thought leadership.
• Represent the firm at industry events and client briefings, articulating complex investigative capabilities with clarity and authority.
• Track pipeline performance, analyse commercial data, and adjust sales efforts to meet financial objectives.
• Contribute to the evolution of service lines to reflect shifting client needs and global risk trends.

Fee-Earning Work (10-20%)

• Provide oversight of sensitive and high-stakes investigative assignments, ensuring methodological rigour and discretion.
• Act as senior point of contact for key client accounts, ensuring quality and consistency across deliverables.
• Coordinate with regional offices and cross-functional teams to deliver seamless, multi-jurisdictional investigations.
• Maintain control over project financials to protect margin, manage scope, and drive profitability.

Person Specification

Essential

• Extensive experience in corporate investigations, business intelligence, or a related advisory field.
• Proven ability to originate, lead, and close complex commercial relationships at C-suite and General Counsel level.
• Strong track record of revenue generation and delivering against ambitious growth targets.
• Deep understanding of global risk landscapes, regulatory regimes, and investigative methodologies.
• Excellent leadership skills, with experience managing high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Gravitas and credibility to represent the firm at the highest levels.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate market trends into actionable service propositions.
• Commercially astute with strong financial acumen and operational discipline.

Desirable

• Regional expertise or language skills relevant to emerging markets.
• Existing network within law firms, financial institutions, or multinational corporations.
• Experience advising on ESG, reputational risk, or compliance-driven investigations.