Business Development Manager (Debt Finance)

Ambition; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambition is recruiting for a Manager, Business Development to support the Am Law top 10 firm's Debt Finance practice based in New York. The role oversees the Americas Debt Finance Regional Section, driving client development, market positioning, and strategic initiatives across domestic and international markets.

You will work with BD leadership, partners, and lawyers to implement business and marketing plans, focusing on one or two pillar groups such as Borrower Finance, Private Credit, Bank

Qualifications

• Experience supporting Debt Finance, banking, or financial services preferred.
• commercially minded BD professional with market and client strategy focus.
• Ability to lead pitches and coordinate cross-border campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Drive development and execution of BD plans for the Americas Debt Finance Regional Section.
• Lead strategic marketing initiatives for Debt Finance pillar groups and translate priorities into campaigns.
• Develop priority client relationships and execute targeted client action plans.
• Prepare sophisticated domestic and cross-border pitches, proposals, and client presentations.
• Monitor market developments and contribute to thought leadership in the Debt Finance practice.

Job description

We are partnered with an Am Law top 10 firm in its search for a Manager, Business Development to support its market-leading Debt Finance practice. This is a strategic role supporting the Americas Debt Finance Regional Section, with a significant US domestic and international remit spanning client development, market positioning, strategic initiatives, and brand recognition.

Based in New York, you will work closely with Business Development leadership, partners, and lawyers across the Americas Debt Finance team to drive the implementation of the Regional Section's business and marketing plans. The role will have particular ownership of one or two key Debt Finance pillar groups—including Borrower Finance, Private Credit, Bank Lending, and Specialty Finance-providing exposure to a sophisticated and highly active area of the financial services market.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded Business Development professional who enjoys operating at the intersection of client strategy, market intelligence, and execution. You will have the opportunity to work on complex domestic and cross-border pitches, develop priority client relationships, identify market opportunities, and shape how the firm's Debt Finance capabilities are positioned in the market.

We are keen to speak with experienced Business Development Specialists looking to take the next step into a Manager position, as well as existing Managers looking to broaden their remit within a leading global Finance practice. Prior experience supporting Debt Finance, banking, financial services, private credit, or a related transactional practice will be highly advantageous.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Drive the development and implementation of business and marketing plans for the Americas Debt Finance Regional Section
• Lead strategic marketing initiatives for one or two Debt Finance pillar groups, translating practice priorities into actionable BD campaigns and activities
• Work closely with partners and lawyers to support priority client relationships, including the development and execution of targeted client action plans
• Lead the preparation of sophisticated domestic and cross-border pitches, proposals, capability statements, and client presentations
• Conduct client, market, sector, and decision-maker research to identify opportunities and inform business development strategy
• Develop and maintain compelling marketing collateral, including credentials, experience statements, key selling messages, presentations, transaction lists, website content, and lawyer biographies
• Support the positioning and integration of lateral and new lawyer joiners, ensuring their practices and experience are effectively incorporated into the firm's BD strategy
• Contribute to thought leadership initiatives by monitoring market developments, identifying relevant trends and hot topics, and supporting the development and distribution of content
• Manage and contribute to legal directory, league table, award, and ranking submissions to strengthen the profile of the Debt Finance practice
• Identify and assess profile-raising opportunities, including conferences, sponsorships, speaking engagements, and industry events, with a focus on maximizing commercial value
• Work with the central Events team to develop client and multi-client events and coordinate the firm's participation in relevant industry associations and conferences
• Liaise with other Practice Group, Section, and Industry BD teams to develop integrated cross-practice and cross-sector initiatives
• Maintain accurate client and business development information within the firm's CRM, supporting effective relationship management and tracking of BD activity
• Manage and maintain centralized Debt Finance pitch materials, experience databases, and key client information to ensure the team is equipped with current and compelling credentials
• Analyze market and competitive intelligence to identify emerging opportunities and inform the team's strategic priorities
• Support the development of BD processes and best practices, ensuring effective coordination across the Americas and the firm's global network

This is an exciting opportunity to join a top-tier global Debt Finance practice at the forefront of complex financing activity, in a role offering meaningful exposure to partners, priority clients, and senior Business Development leadership. The position provides an excellent platform for someone looking to develop deeper expertise within Finance BD while gaining broad exposure to the firm's US and international platform.