Associate Director of Business Development – Corporate

tml Partners; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

tml Partners, a premier global law firm, seeks a commercially minded BD leader to drive strategic growth for Corporate and M&A practice groups in New York. You will translate market insights into client acquisition plans and oversee high-stakes pursuits.

You will manage senior BD professionals, guide complex pitches, and foster cross-practice collaboration to maximize client engagement across global markets.

Qualifications

• Senior BD leader with experience in complex professional services or law firm environments.
• Supports corporate or M&A practice areas with deep subject matter knowledge in pitching, client account planning, and market positioning.
• Demonstrates ability to lead high-performing teams within matrixed organizations and influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic growth and client cultivation for the firm's Corporate and M&A practice groups.
• Manage senior BD team members and oversee high-value proposals and pitches.
• Lead market positioning initiatives and foster cross-practice collaboration to maximize client engagement across global markets.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Business development

Client relationships

Pitching

Market intelligence

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

This premier global law firm operates across dozens of offices in key commercial and financial centers worldwide, generating multi-billion-dollar annual revenues. Widely recognized as a market leader in complex, cross-border M&A and corporate transactions, the firm combines deep local market insight with an integrated global network to guide the world's leading corporations, financial institutions, and private capital providers through high-stakes deals. Guided by a collaborative, innovative, and human-centric culture, the organization empowers its business services professionals with exceptional career development, matrixed global support, and a forward-thinking environment to drive commercial impact.

Reporting directly to a highly distinguished Global Director of Business Development, who brings a proven track record of leading commercial and BD functions across top-tier AmLaw firms, this opportunity is a senior leadership role responsible for driving strategic growth and client cultivation for the firm's elite Corporate and M&A practice groups. In this high-visibility position, you will act as a trusted advisor to partners and practice leaders, translating market intelligence and competitive insights into actionable client acquisition and retention strategies. You will manage senior BD team members, oversee complex pitch pursuits and high-value proposals, lead targeted market positioning initiatives, and foster cross-practice collaboration to maximize client engagement across global markets.

The ideal candidate is a commercially minded, analytical BD leader with significant business development experience in a complex professional services or law firm environment, specifically supporting corporate or M&A practice areas. You must demonstrate deep subject matter expertise in pitching, client account planning, and market positioning. You bring proven management skills with a history of leading high-performing teams, navigating matrixed organizational structures, and influencing executive stakeholders with confidence, diplomacy, and commercial acumen.