Senior Business Development Manager - Dispute Resolution

0400 FBD USA LLP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Freshfields is seeking a strategic Senior Business Development Manager to lead the UK Dispute Resolution BD strategy. You will drive client engagement, craft pitches and campaigns, and mentor a high-performing team across a fast-paced, client-focused environment.

The role emphasises data-driven decision making, cross-border initiatives, and the opportunity to shape the future of one of the world’s top-ranked litigation practices in a globally connected firm.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education with significant experience in professional services.
• Proven ability to develop go-to-market strategies for proprietary content.
• Strong affinity for digital tools and platforms to reach broad audiences.
• High emotional intelligence, independent thinking, and sound professional judgement.
• Excellent collaboration skills and ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Strong project management and multi-tasking capabilities, with resilience under pressure.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with Salesforce and marketing tech is a plus.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
• A natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, with a commitment to mentoring and team development.
• Additional language skills are welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UK Dispute Resolution BD strategy, driving client engagement and market visibility.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to deliver compelling pitches, campaigns and thought leadership.
• Manage and mentor a high-performing team, fostering growth and collaboration.
• Leverage data and insights to identify opportunities and measure success.
• Champion cross-border initiatives and contribute to global BD excellence.

Skills

Go-to-market

Client engagement

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Project management

Salesforce

Marketing tech

MS Office

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Degree-level education

Tools

Salesforce

Marketing automation

Job description

We’re looking for a strategic and collaborative Senior Business Development Manager to join our globally recognised Dispute Resolution practice. This is a high-impact role, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, client-focused environment and brings deep expertise in business development within professional services.

What you’ll do:

• Lead the UK Dispute Resolution business development strategy, driving client engagement and market visibility.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to deliver compelling pitches, campaigns and thought leadership.
• Manage and mentor a high-performing team, fostering growth and collaboration.
• Leverage data and insights to identify opportunities and measure success.
• Champion cross-border initiatives and contribute to global BD excellence.

What we offer:

• A people-first culture where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is embedded in everything we do.
• Opportunities for professional growth, leadership development and global collaboration.
• A supportive environment that values fresh perspectives, creativity and continuous improvement.
• The chance to shape the future of one of the world’s top-ranked litigation practices.

Key requirements:

• Degree-level education with significant experience in professional services (legal, accountancy, technology, consultancy).
• Proven ability to develop effective go-to-market strategies for proprietary content.
• Strong affinity for digital tools and platforms to reach broad and targeted audiences.
• High emotional intelligence, independent thinking, and sound professional judgement.
• Excellent collaboration skills and ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Strong project management and multi-tasking capabilities, with resilience under pressure.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with Salesforce and marketing tech is a plus.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
• A natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, with a commitment to mentoring and team development.
• Additional language skills are welcomed.

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.

Freshfields is a global law firm with a long-standing track record of successfully supporting the world’s leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments on ground-breaking and business critical mandates. At Freshfields we seek to create a better future for our clients, our people and the communities in which we work. Our global teams bring together individuals with different experiences, skills and strengths in a culture where we support all to belong, engage and excel.