Business Development Manager (M&A)

Friedman Williams; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Friedman Williams in New York seeks a Business Development Manager (M&A) to drive initiatives across M&A, Corporate Governance, Real Estate and Executive Compensation practices. You will partner with BD, Communications, Events and other teams to generate business and raise the firm's profile in key industries.

Strong writing, research and project-management skills are essential. The role requires seven or more years in BD within professional services and a BA at minimum, with JD or MBA viewed

Qualifications

• Seven+ years of business development experience in a law firm, financial institution, or other professional services environment.
• Experience with business writing and presenting at the executive/partner level.
• BA or equivalent required; JD, MBA or other applicable graduate degree is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a global BD team with senior lawyers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of pitches, RFP responses, and marketing materials communicating the Firm's experience and strengths.
• Coordinate updates to marketing materials, including biographies, new matter descriptions, and achievements.
• Oversee submissions to league tables and surveys; draft submissions for Chambers USA and other directories.
• Conduct research on companies and industries; ensure consistent BD activity records.
• Provide guidance to junior BD team members and develop their skills.
• Collaborate with partners to create BD plans and initiatives to generate and grow client relationships.
• Track referral sources and support partners in maintaining client communications.
• Coordinate with global BD teams for consistent execution and information sharing.

Skills

Business development

M&A

Writing

Editing

Analytical

Research

Organizational skills

Presentation skills

CRM

Experience management

Education

BA or equivalent

JD or MBA

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

SharePoint

CRM platforms

Research platforms

Job description

Business Development Manager (M&A) New York NY

Job ID: 21389

SUMMARY

The Manager Business Development (M&A), based in the Firm's New York office, works proactively with partners in the M&A Group and colleagues in Business Development, Communications, Events and other teams across the Firm to generate business and to expand Firm, practice and lawyer profiles. The position also covers the Business Development efforts of the Corporate Governance, Real Estate, and Executive Compensation practice groups, as well as various industry verticals. The role requires excellent judgment, strong writing and analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple partner-facing projects in a high-performance environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the preparation of pitches, RFP responses, and marketing materials that effectively communicate the Firm's relevant experience and strengths.
• Work with partners and BD colleagues to ensure timely updates to all marketing materials, including practice and individual biography collateral, with new matter descriptions, achievements, and other relevant information.
• Oversee and assist with submissions to league tables and other surveys.
• Oversee and assist with drafting of submissions for Chambers USA and other legal directories.
• Conduct research on companies and industries.
• Ensure consistent record-keeping of all BD activity and client outreach.
• Provide guidance and supervision to junior BD team members and assist in developing their skills.
• Work with partners to create business development plans and execute initiatives to generate new business, manage existing client relationships and develop new ones, and increase visibility.
• Track referral sources, prospective client connections, and support partners, and support partners in maintaining communication with them.
• Guide partners in focusing their entrepreneurial activities on the highest value opportunities.
• Identify new business opportunities and strategic sponsorships tailored to business development goals.
• Coordinate with global BD teams to ensure consistent execution and information sharing.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the following teams:
• Communications: Identify and pursue key media, PR, awards, and legal directory opportunities and ensure appropriate promotion of matter wins, awards, rankings, and BD initiatives on Firm and external channels.
• Events: Oversee the planning and execution of client and Firm events.
• Competitive Intelligence: Leverage research that supports practice positioning and client development.
• Creative Services: Produce polished materials that align with the Firms branding.

QUALIFICATIONS

Prior business development experience supporting M&A or other corporate practices in a top-tier U.S. law firm.
The ability to work independently and achieve goals with limited supervision and to be a strong team player who can work collaboratively with the global BD team.
The ability to provide guidance to junior team members and contribute to their professional development.
Excellent writing, editing, analytical, research and organizational skills, with a high level of attention to detail (a writing and editing test is required).
The ability to prepare high-quality pitches, proposals, directory submissions and other partner- and client-facing materials.
Basic proficiency in standard spreadsheet, database, word processing and presentation applications (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint), CRM, experience management and research platforms, and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
The ability to handle time-sensitive requests from multiple lawyers while generating quality work product in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a poised, professional manner that conveys confidence and excellent judgment when interacting with the Firm’s most senior lawyers and staff.
The ability to incorporate feedback to improve work and foster professional development.
A commitment to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism that are the hallmarks of the firm’s legal practice.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Seven+ years of business development experience in a law firm, financial institution, or other professional services environment.
Experience with business writing and presenting at the executive/partner level.
BA or equivalent required; JD, MBA or other applicable graduate degree is a plus.