Client Development Manager

Ashfords LLP; Bristol, Exeter; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashfords LLP in Bristol or Exeter is seeking a commercially driven Client Development Manager to join the Marketing & Client Development team on a full-time basis. You will partner with lawyers to drive growth across key sectors, identify opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and support conversion of new and repeat work.

You’ll lead strategic opportunities, manage pitches, develop win themes, and build pipelines of target clients using CRM systems to track progress.

Qualifications

• Experience in business development or sales within professional services or B2B.
• Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders and turning insights into actions.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities and manage client relationships across sectors.
• Lead on go-to-market strategies, growth initiatives and shaping business plans.
• Manage pitches and proposals; track progress using CRM and performance metrics.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Client relationships

Tools

CRM systems

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

We’re looking for a commercially driven Client Development Manager to join our Marketing & Client Development team on a full-time, permanent basis in either our Bristol or Exeter office. This is a high-profile role where you’ll partner with lawyers to drive growth across key sectors and departments.

Working closely with partners and senior stakeholders, you’ll take a consultative approach to business development by identifying opportunities, strengthening client relationships, and supporting the conversion of new and repeat work. You’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering business plans, go-to-market strategies, and wider growth initiatives.

You’ll lead on strategic, high-value opportunities, managing pitches and proposals, conducting client and market research, and developing clear win themes. Alongside this, you’ll build and manage pipelines of target clients and referrers, using CRM systems to track and measure success.

You’ll also help embed consistent development approaches across teams, supporting planning, budget management, and performance tracking, while contributing to wider initiatives such as directories, client feedback, and ESG and EDI projects.

This is a great opportunity to make a real impact while helping shape how we develop and grow client relationships across the firm.

Who you are

You’ll bring extensive experience in business development or sales, preferably gained within a professional services or B2B environment, along with a clear understanding of how firms like ours grow and win work.

You’re commercially minded and comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders, able to turn insight from conversations, data and market research into clear, practical actions. You build relationships with ease, influence confidently, and keep momentum moving across projects.

A confident communicator, you have excellent written skills and can tailor content for different audiences, whether that’s pitches, business plans or client-facing materials. You’re also comfortable using tools such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel and CRM systems to support delivery and track progress.

You’re naturally organised and proactive, taking ownership of your work while managing competing priorities and deadlines. You enjoy bringing structure to complex tasks and following things through from idea to delivery.

Above all, you take a collaborative, professional and client-focused approach. You’re someone who looks for ways to improve, isn’t afraid to get stuck in, and enjoys working as part of a team to achieve the best outcomes.

At Ashfords, we believe in more than just doing great work - we believe in building a great place to work.

When you join us, you become part of a team where everything we do is underpinned by our four core values: Be Open, Think Team, Make a Difference and Always Grow. These values shape who we are and how we work - they guide our decisions, influence our culture, and drive the way we support our people, clients and communities.

With a clear focus on innovation, community involvement, and supporting a healthy work-life balance, we are committed to building an environment where our people can have a rewarding and meaningful career.

Whilst we recognise that every career journey is unique, we will be ambitious for you, giving you the tools, trust, and opportunities to develop your career, your way.

Our goal? To help you realise your full potential as part of a forward-thinking team.

Our offer

We know that our people are at the heart of everything we do – and that’s why we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, growth and work-life balance.

Beyond our benefits package, you’ll be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you’ll support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes and our employee led diversity and inclusion groups.

You can find out more about our benefits by visiting the Reward & Wellbeing page on our website.

What’s next?

Our recruitment process typically involves two stages, which are designed not only to explore your skills and experience but also to give you a real insight into what it’s like to work at Ashfords. Throughout the process, our dedicated Talent Attraction team will be here to support you every step of the way.

We believe that building a firm with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our teams, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

To support your growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential – so even if you don’t feel you match all the requirements of the job role, we’d still love to hear from you.

At Ashfords, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss anything regarding your application, please contact us at [e-mail] .

For an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contactKitty Hughes, Talent Attraction Assistant [e-mail] .