Business Development Manager

Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP in Scotland is seeking a proactive Business Development Manager to drive growth across key client relationships, bids and tenders, and sector strategies.

You will work closely with the Director of Key Clients, BD & Tenders, partners and the wider firm to identify opportunities, craft bespoke credentials and pitch materials, and ensure exceptional client experiences across the relationship lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience and/or professional qualifications.
• Evidence of continuous professional development and maintaining current business development knowledge and best practice.
• Strong experience in business development, key account management or client relationship management, ideally within a professional services environment.
• Experience preparing compelling bespoke proposals, credentials and pitch documents that contribute to successful business outcomes.
• Strong analytical, research and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate insight into practical actions.
• Excellent project management, writing, communication and presentation skills.
• The ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders, providing constructive challenge and acting as a trusted adviser where appropriate.
• Experience working collaboratively across teams and functions to deliver strategic objectives.
• A highly organised and deadline-focused approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities through networking, market research, client intelligence and lead generation activities.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic client growth plans as part of the firm's Connected Programme and wider business development strategy.
• Lead the creation of high-quality credentials, proposals and pitch documents that support revenue growth and successful client acquisition.
• Monitor legal market trends, competitor activity and client needs, providing insights that support commercial decision-making and market positioning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, intermediaries and referral networks, helping to expand the firm's reach and service offering.
• Gather, analyse and act upon client feedback to improve service delivery, client satisfaction and retention.
• Collaborate with partners, sector leads and colleagues across the firm to deliver an exceptional client experience and identify cross-selling opportunities.
• Support the end-to-end bidding process, from opportunity identification through to proposal submission, helping maximise win rates and commercial outcomes.
• Prepare reports and management information on business development activity, pipeline progress and performance metrics, recommending actions where appropriate.

Skills

Relationship-building

Analytical thinking

Project management

Writing & communication

Presentation skills

Stakeholder influence

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Hybrid – Edinburgh / Glasgow (with travel between offices and attendance at client, industry and networking events as required)

You Will Report To

Director of Key Clients, Business Development & Tenders

Key Working Relationships

• CEO and Executive Committee
• Management Boar
• Partners
• Lawyers and non-lawyers at all levels
• Executive Directors
• Wider Marketing Team
• COO Team Members
• Key Clients and Target Clients
• Professional Bodies and Industry Networks
• External Agencies and Suppliers

About the Firm You Will Join

Morton Fraser MacRoberts (MFMac) is a leading independent Scottish law firm, known for combining deep legal expertise with clear, practical advice that helps clients achieve their objectives. With more than 480 people across its Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, including 72 partners, the firm provides a full range of legal services to businesses, public sector organisations, charities, individuals and families.

MFMac works with clients across the private, public and third sectors, supporting some of the UK's most recognisable organisations and institutions. Its client base includes the UK and Scottish Governments, Breedon Group plc, CALA Homes, Diageo, HSBC plc, the Ministry of Defence, NHS Scotland, Schuh, Skyscanner and SSE plc. Through its sector knowledge, collaborative approach and commercial focus, the firm delivers practical solutions to complex legal challenges.

About the Role

As Business Development Manager, you will play a key role in supporting MFMac’s growth ambitions by developing and strengthening client relationships, identifying new business opportunities and helping the firm win new work. Working closely with the Director of Key Clients, BD & Tenders, partners and colleagues across the firm, you will support the delivery of strategic business development initiatives that enhance the firm's market position and reputation as one of Scotland’s leading independent law firms.

A significant part of the role will involve supporting the firm's Connected Programme, with a particular focus on strategic client management, as well as contributing to the delivery of the firm's sector growth strategy. You will also lead the development of bespoke credentials, proposals and pitch materials, while helping to ensure clients receive an outstanding experience across their relationship with the firm.

We are looking for a commercially minded, relationship-focused business development professional who enjoys working collaboratively, influencing stakeholders and helping drive measurable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities through networking, market research, client intelligence and lead generation activities;
• Support the development and implementation of strategic client growth plans as part of the firm's Connected Programme and wider business development strategy;
• Lead the creation of high-quality credentials, proposals and pitch documents that support revenue growth and successful client acquisition;
• Monitor legal market trends, competitor activity and client needs, providing insights that support commercial decision-making and market positioning;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, intermediaries and referral networks, helping to expand the firm's reach and service offering;
• Gather, analyse and act upon client feedback to improve service delivery, client satisfaction and retention;
• Collaborate with partners, sector leads and colleagues across the firm to deliver an exceptional client experience and identify cross-selling opportunities;
• Support the end-to-end bidding process, from opportunity identification through to proposal submission, helping maximise win rates and commercial outcomes;
• Prepare reports and management information on business development activity, pipeline progress and performance metrics, recommending actions where appropriate.

About You

You will be a proactive and commercially focused business development professional with excellent relationship-building skills and the confidence to influence stakeholders across a professional services environment. You will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced setting, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining a focus on delivering results.

You will bring:

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience and/or professional qualifications;
• Evidence of continuous professional development and a commitment to maintaining current business development knowledge and best practice;
• Strong experience in business development, key account management or client relationship management, ideally within a professional services environment;A proven ability to build trusted relationships and identify opportunities for client growth, retention and revenue generation;
• Experience preparing compelling bespoke proposals, credentials and pitch documents that contribute to successful business outcomes;
• Strong analytical, research and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate insight into practical actions;
• Excellent project management, writing, communication and presentation skills;
• The ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders, providing constructive challenge and acting as a trusted adviser where appropriate;
• Experience working collaboratively across teams and functions to deliver strategic objectives;
• A highly organised and deadline-focused approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

What Else Would Be Valuable

Experience within the legal sector or a wider professional services environment would be advantageous, although we are equally interested in candidates with strong business development experience gained in other relationship-led, B2B sectors.

Experience of strategic client management programmes, CRM systems, pipeline management, bids and tenders, sector-based growth strategies and client listening programmes would also be valuable.

Most importantly, you'll be excited by the opportunity to help grow one of Scotland's leading independent law firms, working closely with colleagues across the business to strengthen client relationships, win new work and deliver measurable commercial impact.