Senior Legal Business Development Manager

Job Description

A nationally recognized, industry-focused law firm is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to drive strategic growth across its Health Care & Life Sciences practice and related sub-practice areas.

This is a high-impact opportunity to work directly with senior attorneys and practice leadership to develop business strategies, strengthen client relationships, generate new business opportunities, and elevate the practice's market presence. The ideal candidate brings a combination of strategic business development, pitch and proposal management, marketing leadership, and relationship-building experience within a law firm or professional services environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Development

• Partner with practice leadership and attorneys to develop and execute business development strategies that expand client relationships and generate new business.
• Develop targeted business plans informed by market intelligence, industry trends, client needs, and performance metrics.
• Manage the full business development lifecycle, including opportunity identification, pitch execution, follow-up, and relationship development.
• Lead RFP responses, client pitches, proposal development, and customized messaging for prospective and existing clients.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across practices and strengthen relationships with key clients and industry contacts.
• Coach attorneys and junior business development professionals on client development, pitching, and relationship management.

Marketing & Practice Visibility

• Develop initiatives that increase practice visibility through client events, conferences, speaking engagements, thought leadership, and digital marketing campaigns.
• Collaborate with marketing communications and public relations teams to enhance attorney profiles and promote practice capabilities.
• Coordinate submissions for industry rankings, awards, and recognition programs.
• Oversee the quality and consistency of pitch materials, marketing collateral, and other client-facing deliverables.
• Identify opportunities to improve business development processes, efficiency, and overall effectiveness.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison between the Health Care & Life Sciences practice and the broader marketing and business development department.
• Work cross-functionally with communications, events, business intelligence, and other internal teams to execute strategic initiatives.
• Monitor progress against business development objectives, evaluate results, and adjust strategies based on performance and changing market conditions.
• Manage competing priorities, project timelines, and resources while maintaining high standards of client service.
• Build trusted relationships with senior attorneys and internal stakeholders, influencing priorities and driving accountability across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, English, or a related field required.
• At least 7 years of business development and marketing experience within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting practice group growth, developing business plans, and executing strategic client development initiatives.
• Strong background in pitch and proposal management, RFP responses, and attorney-facing business development.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze market trends, client data, and performance metrics to inform strategic decisions.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, competing deadlines, and cross-functional relationships.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CRM systems, and digital marketing platforms.
• Familiarity with AI tools and workflows that improve business development efficiency is expected.
• An advanced degree or business development coaching certification is preferred.