Business Development Manager

Ambition; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambition is recruiting for a Business Development Manager in its Disputes practice within a leading international law firm. You'll work with partners and senior stakeholders to shape growth plans and drive client development initiatives across the firm's core practice area.

The role offers a strategic input alongside hands-on delivery, leading campaigns, events, content and client relationships, while mentoring junior BD colleagues and maximizing ROI through data and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Experience within a legal or professional services environment.
• Strong business development and marketing credentials with the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders.
• Commercially minded, proactive and confident influencing senior individuals.
• Looking for a role that offers genuine strategic input alongside hands-on delivery.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior lawyers and practice leaders to develop and deliver ambitious business development and marketing plans.
• Drive strategic growth initiatives, identifying opportunities to win new work and strengthen client relationships.
• Lead targeted campaigns, bringing together events, content, digital marketing and client development activity.
• Work with partners on key client and opportunity planning, generating and converting pipeline activity.
• Collaborate across practice groups to identify cross-selling opportunities and present the firm's full offering.
• Develop thought leadership, credentials, pitches and marketing materials that support growth.
• Deliver high-profile client events, roundtables and networking programmes from concept to execution.
• Use CRM data, market intelligence and performance insights to inform decisions and maximise ROI.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders as a strategic adviser with new ideas.
• Take ownership of a varied portfolio of projects with visibility across the wider business.
• Support and mentor junior team members while driving BD best practices.

Skills

Legal industry experience

Business development

Marketing

Stakeholder management

Job description

I'm working with a highly regarded international law firm that is looking to appoint a Business Development Manager into its successful Disputes practice.

This is a brilliant opportunity for either an ambitious Senior BDE looking to take the next step into a manager-level role, or an existing BD Manager seeking broader strategic exposure within a high-performing and well-invested team.

One of the most attractive aspects of this opportunity is that the firm is open on practice area background. Whilst disputes experience would be welcomed, it is by no means essential, making this an excellent transition role for someone looking to move into a new area of law while continuing to build their strategic BD skillset.

Working closely with partners and senior stakeholders, you'll play a key role in shaping growth plans, driving client development initiatives and delivering impactful marketing and business development activity across a practice that is a core strategic focus for the firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with senior lawyers and practice leaders to develop and deliver ambitious business development and marketing plans.
• Drive strategic growth initiatives, identifying opportunities to win new work, strengthen client relationships and increase market visibility.
• Lead targeted campaigns, bringing together events, content, digital marketing and client development activity.
• Work closely with partners on key client and opportunity planning, helping to generate and convert pipeline activity.
• Collaborate across practice groups and sectors to identify cross-selling opportunities and bring the firm's full offering to clients.
• Develop compelling thought leadership, credentials, pitches and marketing materials that support business growth.
• Deliver high-profile client events, roundtables and networking programmes from concept through to execution.
• Use CRM data, market intelligence and performance insights to inform decision-making and maximise ROI.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, acting as a strategic adviser and bringing new ideas to the table.
• Take ownership of a varied portfolio of projects, with significant visibility across the wider business.
• Support and mentor junior team members while helping to drive best practice across the BD function.

About You

• Experience within legal or professional services environment.
• Strong business development and marketing credentials with the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders.
• Commercially minded, proactive and confident influencing senior individuals.
• Looking for a role that offers genuine strategic input alongside hands‑on delivery.