Business Development Manager

Spruson & Ferguson; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

Leave Purchase Scheme

IP Day

Group Salary Continuance Insurance

Wellbeing Hub

Hybrid working as standard

Career progression opportunities

Fresh fruit delivered daily

Job summary

Spruson & Ferguson is seeking a Business Development Manager to partner with Practice Leaders and attorneys to shape and execute growth strategies across key sectors and jurisdictions. You will lead strategic initiatives, strengthen client relationships and drive revenue growth within a leading IP firm.

The role is permanent, full-time and can be based in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. You will develop sector expertise, monitor progress against objectives, and deliver initiatives that maximise

Qualifications

• At least five years in business development, marketing or related role in professional services.
• Experience partnering with senior stakeholders to implement growth plans.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong commercial acumen, research and analytical abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines; proficient in MS Office and Adobe Acrobat.

Responsibilities

• Support execution of the firm's growth strategy with focus on key industries and jurisdictions.
• Develop sector knowledge to qualify and pursue opportunities.
• Partner with leaders to implement and monitor business development plans and growth initiatives.
• Provide commercial insights and manage strategic associate relationships and market research.
• Lead submissions, capability statements, tenders and proposals; plan client events and ROI tracking.
• Collaborate with APAC teams on cross-border client initiatives.

Skills

Business development

Marketing

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Communication

Project management

MS Office

Adobe Acrobat

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

About Us

Spruson & Ferguson is a leading intellectual property (IP) firm operating across the Asia-Pacific region. With more than 130 years of experience, we provide specialist IP services from our offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as through Spruson & Ferguson Asia in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore. Our multidisciplinary team of more than 500 professionals includes some of the most highly regarded IP practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Spruson & Ferguson is a leading intellectual property (IP) firm operating across the Asia-Pacific region. With more than 130 years of experience, we provide specialist IP services from our offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as through Spruson & Ferguson Asia in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore. Our multidisciplinary team of more than 500 professionals includes some of the most highly regarded IP practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Spruson & Ferguson is part of the IPH Group (IPH Limited), the first intellectual property services group to be listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

About The Role

As Business Development Manager, you will partner with Practice Group Leaders, Principals and attorneys to shape and execute business development strategies that support the firm's growth ambitions. Embedded within a high-performing business development team, you will identify growth opportunities, lead strategic initiatives and strengthen the firm's market position across key sectors, practices and jurisdictions. Working closely with leaders and teams across the firm, you will deliver initiatives that enhance client relationships, drive revenue growth and support commercial success. As a trusted business development partner, you will help develop and implement growth plans, provide commercial insights and foster collaboration across practice groups, sectors and jurisdictions to maximise opportunities for the firm. This is an opportunity for a commercially minded business development professional to work closely with senior stakeholders and contribute to the continued growth of a leading IP firm. The role is permanent, full-time and can be based in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the execution of the firm's growth strategy, with a particular focus on key industries and revenue growth in identified jurisdictions.
• Develop expert sector and industry knowledge to identify, qualify and support the pursuit of opportunities.
• Partner with Practice Group Leaders to develop, implement and monitor business development plans, including identifying growth opportunities, tracking progress against objectives, analysing market trends and supporting strategic initiatives.
• Provide commercial insights to support Practice Group Leaders in identifying opportunities, managing priorities and making informed business development decisions. Work closely with Principals and the Business Development team to manage strategic associate relationships and develop new business opportunities through market analysis and competitor research.
• Lead and manage priority directory submissions, capability statements, tenders and proposals.
• Project manage international conferences, client-focused trips and associated client events, including tracking ROI and success measures.
• Support jurisdictional programs to drive pipeline, including foreign associate and domestic engagement, and collaborate with Spruson & Ferguson Asia business development colleagues and professional staff on APAC-wide client and sector initiatives.
• Support the firm's Client Feedback Program through client debriefs and collaboration with business development team members to continually improve client experience.
• Act as a trusted business development partner to Practice Group Leaders and attorneys, providing practical guidance and support to strengthen business development capability and outcomes.
• Manage and maintain business development and marketing databases, records and templates, and manage reporting on key growth initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the Marketing team to build brand awareness through content, thought leadership and profile-raising activities, and support media campaigns, award submissions, online and social media activities, and other relevant communications.
• Assist in the implementation of key IPH Group initiatives for the firm and support business development team members with allocated tasks, research and analysis.

About You

• At least five years' experience in business development, marketing or a related role within a professional services environment, including experience supporting business planning and growth initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior stakeholders to develop and implement business development plans and identify growth opportunities.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and engage senior professionals.
• Strong commercial acumen, research and analytical skills, and the ability to problem-solve.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines, with advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and experience with Adobe Acrobat.
• A proactive, collaborative and hands‑on approach, with the ability to work with team members to ensure individual and shared goals are met to a high standard.

Why Us?

• Paid parental leave of up to 18 weeks, and up to 6 weeks paid Secondary Caregiver leave.
• Leave Purchase Scheme (up to two weeks).
• One paid IP Day each year.
• Group Salary Continuance Insurance.
• Access to our Wellbeing Hub.
• Hybrid working as standard.
• Structured professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Fresh fruit delivered daily and monthly team morning teas.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals from diverse backgrounds. We remain committed to providing reasonable and fair adjustments to provide a positive, barrier‑free, transparent recruitment process and supportive workplace.