Business Development Manager/Senior Manager – Private Capital & Life Sciences

Freshfields; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Freshfields US LLP is launching a prominent Business Development Manager/Senior Manager role in Boston to drive strategic BD for Private Capital and Life Sciences. You will collaborate with senior partners and global teams to map market trends and develop client development programs across borders.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in BD/marketing within professional services, strong writing and communication skills, and proven ability to lead pitches, RFPs, and client presentations while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in business development/marketing in professional services.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Experience supporting sector-focused BD initiatives (private capital, life sciences).
• Proven track record in pitches, proposals and client presentations.
• Strong project management skills in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic BD efforts from the Boston office focused on Private Capital and Life Sciences.
• Map market trends, identify client issues, and develop engagement programs to drive revenue globally.
• Collaborate with partners, BD, marketing, research and cross‑office teams; manage multiple initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Written communication

Project management

CRM systems experience

Strategic thinking

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Pitch/proposal experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/marketing/communications

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Freshfields US LLP is a major international law firm, providing legal advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it matters most, wherever in the world that may be. We deliver seamless client service across borders, cultures, and languages.

Our people make our firm – we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams.

We think and work globally – we don’t just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work isn’t just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.

We aim to add value in everything we do – we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgments and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.

About Marketing & Business Development (MBD)

MBD is a dynamic global team which includes business development professionals, research analysts, brand, marketing and communications experts. By working collaboratively, our team shapes the firm’s client strategy, completes analysis of complex business issues, targets opportunities, develops compelling proposals and creates content and marketing campaigns that lead our digital presence. Together, we define the client experience and shape the perception of Freshfields around the globe.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

This is a varied role requiring excellent teamworking and communication skills as well as the ability to build strong, trusted relationships with senior internal stakeholders and client contacts, and to work collaboratively with brand, marketing, communications, research and business development professionals across our global firm.

We are seeking a Business Development Manager/Senior Manager to guide our strategic business development efforts from our new Boston office, focused on the Private Capital and Life Sciences sectors. Both Private Capital and Life Sciences are key sectors within Freshfields, lying at the very heart of our growth plans for the firm, underpinned by the opening of our Boston office in 2025. The successful candidate will work closely with our leading Private Capital and Life Sciences partners across the US to identify client issues, map out market trends and create an engaging program of client development activities to drive revenue in these practice areas on a global basis and with special focus on the Boston market.

This role will be part of the firm’s global MBD function and will report to the US Head of MBD, working as an integral member of the global sector MBD team.

Key Qualifications (skills/experience)

Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, ideally in business, marketing, communications, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in business development and/or marketing in a professional services environment; law firm or financial services sector experience strongly preferred.
• Strong communication skills, with attention to detail in writing.
• Demonstrated experience supporting sector‑focused and/or practice‑focused business development initiatives, ideally involving corporate, financial institutions, or private capital clients.
• Proven track record in preparing and managing pitches, proposals, RFP responses, and client presentations for sophisticated institutional clients.
• Strong project management experience with evidence of successfully managing multiple concurrent initiatives, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast‑paced environment and meet strict, often quickly evolving deadlines.
• Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Strongly Preferred

• Experience working with private equity, venture capital, growth equity, or other private capital clients, with asset management/financial institutions more broadly, or with the life sciences sector.
• Knowledge of or experience in the Boston legal, financial, life sciences, or private capital markets. Familiarity or experience working with the life sciences sector would be considered an asset.
• Experience using CRM systems and BD/marketing technology platforms such as Salesforce, Foundation, as well as Generative AI tools.
• Familiarity with databases such as PitchBook, Preqin, Refinitiv, Mergermarket, Capital IQ, or comparable market intelligence tools.

Skills and Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinker, able to interpret market and client information and translate it into practical BD actions and partner‑ready recommendations.
• Strong emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the confidence to interact with and influence partners and senior stakeholders while maintaining diplomacy and discretion.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with meticulous attention to detail in drafting and editing client‑facing materials.
• Highly collaborative team player who builds strong internal networks and works effectively across offices, practices, and business services teams.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and tight deadlines without compromising quality.
• Comfort with data, reporting, and use of CRM and marketing technology to monitor activity, measure impact, and inform decision‑making.
• Proactive, self‑motivated, and resourceful, with a natural curiosity and dedication to ongoing learning and professional growth as a well‑rounded BD practitioner.
• Occasional travel may be required to other US offices or to client and industry events, consistent with business needs.
• The role operates in a fast‑paced, collaborative professional services environment, requiring flexibility to work additional hours as necessary to meet deadlines and support time‑sensitive client opportunities.

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York and California, Freshfields is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the States of New York and California and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $175,000 to $225,000.

EEO Statement

Freshfields US LLP is proud to be an equal employment employer. Our policies and practices will be free from unlawful discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, military service, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We strive to promote an atmosphere that encourages equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment.

Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Freshfields US LLP

Freshfields US LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the alternative email address below to contact us about your interest in employment at [e-mail] , or you can send your resume to [e-mail] , or you can call us at [phone].