Business Development Advisor - 16mth contract (Syd or Melb) - Top tier law firm

Mallesons; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Mallesons is seeking a Business Development Advisor to drive client growth and strategic pursuits from Sydney or Melbourne bases. You will develop pitches, proposals and thought leadership, while leveraging AI and market insights to identify opportunities and enhance client engagement.

You will report to a Senior Client Relationship Manager and collaborate across a high-performing team, contributing to profile-raising and industry partnerships in a flexible, growth-minded environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years' experience in business development, marketing or client development within professional services.
• Experience delivering pitches, proposals, tenders, client development initiatives and profile‑raising campaigns.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with partners, lawyers and colleagues.
• Excellent writing skills and experience developing high-quality client and business development materials.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to turn insights into action.
• Excellent attention to detail, sound judgement and the confidence to work autonomously.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, ideally Salesforce, and business development systems.
• Experience using AI and emerging technology to improve efficiency and business development outcomes.
• A commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop pitches, tenders, proposals, directories and awards submissions, leveraging AI and technology to improve efficiency and quality.
• Support strategic pursuits and client development through commercially focused proposals, account planning and opportunity identification.
• Deliver client engagement and profile-raising initiatives, including thought leadership, events and industry partnerships.
• Conduct client, market and competitor research to identify opportunities, trends and actionable insights.
• Maintain client intelligence, pipeline reporting and business development data to support decision‑making and growth.

Skills

Business development

Proposal writing

Stakeholder management

Project management

Research & analysis

Attention to detail

Autonomous working

Microsoft Office

CRM platforms

AI in BD

Tools

Salesforce

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

• 16-month parental leave opportunity - Learn from some of the best and see where this contract takes you.
• Chance to join a high-performing and collaborative team where you'll have a genuine impact on client growth, strategic pursuits and profile-raising initiatives.
• Mallesons has won top honours across four legal industry benchmarks in 2026, reinforcing the firm's standing as a leader in delivering exceptional outcomes for clients. Join leaders in their field.

Who are we?

We are Mallesons. The top-tier independent firm from Australia, a full-service firm trusted on the most complex and consequential matters across our region and around the world. We've been part of Australia's story for almost 200 years and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of these lands and waters.

Our independence gives us the flexibility to combine our extensive top tier full-service capability with the best advisers in every market. With deep expertise, collective judgment and genuine collaboration, we cut through complexity so our clients can move forward with confidence and make more happen.

What's involved?

The Business Development & Marketing (BD&M) team supports the firm to develop strong and enduring relationships with our clients, understand and identify opportunities in our core markets, win new business, create unique client experiences and build a positive reputation as a market leader.

Reporting to a Senior Client Relationship Manager, you will help drive client development and growth initiatives through market intelligence, client insights, and technology-enabled business development practices - while continuing to develop your expertise in a collaborative and high-performing environment.

With flexibility to be Sydney or Melbourne based, key responsibilities will see you:

• Develop pitches, tenders, proposals, directories and awards submissions, leveraging AI and technology to improve efficiency and quality.
• Support strategic pursuits and client development through commercially focused proposals, account planning and opportunity identification.
• Deliver client engagement and profile-raising initiatives, including thought leadership, events and industry partnerships.
• Conduct client, market and competitor research to identify opportunities, trends and actionable insights.
• Maintain client intelligence, pipeline reporting and business development data to support decision‑making and growth.

Who are we looking for?

Our Business Development Advisors are commercially minded, collaborative and passionate about exceptional client service. You'll build trusted relationships, bring strong attention to detail and commercial curiosity, and stay connected to evolving client, market and industry trends.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who can confidently engage and influence stakeholders at all levels. You'll be naturally curious and proactive, using client intelligence, market insights and strategic thinking to identify opportunities and drive outcomes.

You’ll also bring:

• 4+ years' experience in business development, marketing or client development within professional services.
• Experience delivering pitches, proposals, tenders, client development initiatives and profile‑raising campaigns.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with partners, lawyers and colleagues.
• Excellent writing skills and experience developing high-quality client and business development materials.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to turn insights into action.
• Excellent attention to detail, sound judgement and the confidence to work autonomously.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, ideally Salesforce, and business development systems.
• Experience using AI and emerging technology to improve efficiency and business development outcomes.
• A commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

Next Steps

Applications close 5pm AEDT Sunday 15th October 2026.

If you have any questions or need any further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to Bridget on 02) 9296 3563.

Why work with us?

We build careers that go everywhere. Mallesons is a special place to work where anything is possible, ambitions are limitless and diversity and inclusion play an important role. It's a place where you will collaborate with exceptional colleagues and clients, where you will sharpen your edge and support others to do the same, where you will make a difference you can be proud of. You will have access to a suite of wellbeing initiatives, benefits, policies and process that will support you to achieve your career goals.

Together we learn. Together we master. Together we lead.

Diversity and Inclusion

Mallesons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from diverse backgrounds. We welcome, value, support and harness the positive benefits that people's different life experiences bring, especially as they relate to gender, sexual identity, culture, faith, disability and life stages.

If you are unsure if you meet all criteria for this role, but have a passion for delivering high quality work, developing your skills and realising your full potential, then we encourage you to apply and have a further conversation about how you could fit at Mallesons.

We have a range of inclusive hiring practices - if you would like to seek workplace adjustments to complete your application please contact the Recruitment contact for this role or email [e-mail]