Business Development Manager - Financial Institutions Group (FIG)

Freshfields; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Freshfields is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager for our global Financial Institutions Group (FIG). You will drive growth across the US and globally, partnering with partners and lawyers to identify opportunities, strengthen client relationships and raise the practice profile in a competitive market.

This role sits at the nexus of strategy, client development and market insight, offering local market influence with global reach and opportunities to shape the direction of the

Qualifications

• Experience in a professional services environment.
• Track record of influencing at partner level.
• Strong commercial awareness and translating market insights into opportunities.
• Excellent project management with multiple priorities.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgement.
• Collaborative approach across international teams.
• Curiosity about markets, clients and business development.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute business development plans for US and global FIG growth.
• Lead development of client pitches, proposals and panel submissions.
• Build and deepen relationships with key financial institution clients.
• Drive thought leadership, events and campaigns to raise the firm’s profile.
• Use market intelligence to inform strategy and uncover opportunities.
• Collaborate across practices, sectors and jurisdictions on cross-border opportunities.
• Contribute to global FIG initiatives with market trend insights.
• Mentor junior team members and foster a high-performing culture.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Business development

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication skills

Collaboration across teams

Independent thinking

Market insight

Job description

Shape the growth of one of the world's leading financial institutions practices

Freshfields is looking for an experienced and commercially-minded Business Development Manager to join our global Financial Institutions Group (FIG). This is an exciting opportunity to work at the centre of a thriving international practice, partnering with market-leading lawyers and some of the world's most significant financial institutions.

Sitting at the intersection of strategy, client development and market insight, you will play a key role in driving growth across the US while contributing to the global direction of the FIG sector. Working closely with partners and colleagues across our international network, you will help identify opportunities, strengthen client relationships and elevate the profile of the practice in a highly competitive market.

This role offers a rare combination of local market influence and global reach, making it ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, shaping strategy and delivering tangible business impact.

What you'll be doing

As a trusted adviser to the FIG partners and wider business development team, you will:

• Help shape and execute business development plans that support the continued growth of the FIG practice in the US and globally.
• Lead the development of compelling client pitches, proposals, panel submissions and other strategic pursuits.
• Build and deepen relationships with key financial institution clients, supporting client programmes and identifying opportunities to grow our work.
• Drive thought leadership, events, campaigns and profile-raising initiatives that strengthen Freshfields' position in the market.
• Use client, competitor and market intelligence to generate insights that inform strategy and uncover new opportunities.
• Collaborate with colleagues across practices, sectors and jurisdictions to support cross-border opportunities and integrated client solutions.
• Contribute to global FIG initiatives by bringing a strong understanding of market trends and developments within the financial services sector.
• Support and mentor junior team members, helping to foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

About you

We're looking for an ambitious and commercially focused business development professional who thrives in a fast-paced, international environment.

You'll bring:

• Experience within a professional services environment, ideally supporting corporate or financial services-focused practices.
• A track record of working with senior stakeholders and influencing at partner level.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to translate market insights into practical business opportunities.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.
• The confidence to work independently, exercise sound judgement and challenge constructively when needed.
• A collaborative approach and genuine enthusiasm for working across international teams.
• A natural curiosity about markets, clients and business development, with a desire to continually learn and grow.

Why Freshfields?

This is an opportunity to join a truly global business development team and contribute to one of the firm's most dynamic growth sectors. You'll work alongside talented colleagues across our international network, gain exposure to some of the world's leading financial institutions and play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the practice.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered on the basis of their merit alone. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK in the role in question and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only if and when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case-by-case basis and take a number of relevant factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.