Business Development Manager

Soni; New York (NY); On-site; USD 145,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Soni, a globally recognized elite law firm, seeks a Manager, Business Development (M&A) in New York to drive client development, market visibility, and strategic growth across M&A, Corporate Governance, Real Estate, and Executive Compensation. You will lead pitches, research, and cross-team campaigns in a fast-paced, partner-facing environment.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years of BD experience in professional services, strong writing and project management skills, and a JD or MBA preferred.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of business development experience within a law firm, professional services organization, or financial institution.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business development plans to grow clients and market visibility for M&A, Corporate Governance, and Executive Compensation.
• Lead the preparation of pitches, RFP responses, directory submissions, and marketing materials while maintaining credentials of practice and attorneys.
• Conduct market, industry, and company research including litigation trends, potential clients, referral sources, and opportunities.
• Collaborate with communications, events, and competitive intelligence teams to support thought leadership and strategic campaigns.
• Track BD activity, oversee pipeline and outreach reporting, and mentor junior BD team members.

Skills

BD experience

Executive pitches

Research & analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

JD/MBA preferred

Job description

Join the New York office of a globally recognized, elite law firm known for advising leading corporations, financial institutions, and governments on complex, high-stakes matters. The Manager, Business Development (M&A) will partner closely with leaders to drive client development, enhance market visibility, and support strategic growth initiatives. This position will support Business Development efforts of various practice groups, including M&A, Corporate Governance, Real Estate and Executive Compensation. This role combines business development strategy, competitive intelligence, relationship management, and high-level marketing execution in a fast-paced, partner-facing environment. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical, writing, and project management skills, along with the ability to influence stakeholders and manage multiple priorities across a sophisticated global platform.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business development plans that support client growth, relationship expansion, and market visibility for various practice groups including, M&A, Corporate Governance and Executive Compensation.
• Lead the preparation of pitches, RFP responses, directory submissions, and marketing materials while maintaining practice and attorney credentials.
• Conduct market, industry, and company research, including analysis of litigation trends, potential clients, referral sources, and competitive opportunities.
• Collaborate with communications, events, creative services, and competitive intelligence teams to support thought leadership, client events, awards submissions, and strategic campaigns.
• Track business development activity, oversee pipeline and outreach reporting, and mentor junior business development team members.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of business development experience within a law firm, professional services organization, or financial institution, with significant exposure to M&A and Corporate practices.
• Strong understanding of corporate law processes, court systems, regulatory environments, and the business development needs of attorneys.
• Demonstrated experience drafting executive-level pitches, proposals, RFP responses, directory submissions, and other client-facing content.
• Excellent writing, research, analytical, organizational, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degrees such as a JD, MBA, or related graduate credential are preferred.

Compensation: $145,000-$190,000

Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications.