Senior Business Development Manager

Arnold & Porter; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Arnold & Porter in Boston seeks a Senior Business Development Manager to lead strategic growth for the Global Life Sciences Industry Group, Life Sciences & Healthcare Regulatory practices, and affiliated working groups. You will advise lawyers, connect capabilities, and turn client insights into new business.

The role involves developing business plans, strengthening client relationships, creating compelling proposals, and raising the firm's profile in the sector.

Qualifications

• Six+ years of managerial marketing experience, preferably in law or professional services.
• Bachelor's degree required; master's or JD is a plus.
• Strong client development, strategic planning, and cross-selling skills.
• Excellent writing and presentation abilities; persuasive pitches.
• Experience with budgeting, client account management, and staff supervision.
• Collaborative, proactive team leader with client service focus.

Responsibilities

• Shape growth strategy by developing and executing practice and industry plans.
• Advise lawyers on client development opportunities and cross-selling.
• Collaborate with lawyers and BD colleagues to pursue opportunities and raise visibility.
• Translate market insights into targeted pitches and proposals for clients.
• Lead client events, webinars, conferences, and publicity initiatives.
• Mentor junior colleagues and support team development.
• Leverage CRM, proposals, and AI tools to improve efficiency.
• Manage budgets and evaluate ROI of initiatives.

Skills

Strategic planning

Client development

Cross-selling

Budget planning

Staff supervision

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

CRM usage

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

J.D.

Tools

Microsoft Office

DealCloud

Foundation

AI tools

Job description

Arnold & Porter is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to lead strategic growth initiatives for our Global Life Sciences Industry Group, Life Sciences & Healthcare Regulatory practices, and affiliated working groups.

This is an opportunity for an experienced business development professional to advise leading lawyers, connect capabilities across practices, and turn client and market insights into new business. You will guide strategy and execution, from developing business plans and strengthening client relationships to creating compelling proposals and raising the firm’s profile in the sector.

Arnold & Porter is a global law firm with offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia. We advise clients on complex regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters across a broad range of industries, including more than half of the Fortune 100.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape growth strategy. Lead the development and execution of practice and industry business plans, identifying priorities and translating them into focused, measurable initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor. Partner with group leaders and lawyers on client development opportunities, cross-selling initiatives, and business development best practices.
• Connect the firm’s capabilities. Collaborate with lawyers and business development colleagues across practices to pursue opportunities and strengthen the firm’s position in life sciences and healthcare.
• Turn insights into opportunities. Use market research, competitive intelligence, and client insights to guide targeting, deepen relationships, and identify new business.
• Lead persuasive pitches and proposals. Develop tailored pitches and RFP responses that address client priorities and distinguish the firm’s capabilities. Manage follow-up and track results.
• Build market visibility. Guide client events, webinars, conferences, speaking engagements, and social media initiatives. Lead Chambers and other recognition submissions and collaborate with Media Relations on publicity opportunities.
• Support lateral success. Help incoming partners and counsel build internal connections, implement business plans, and expand client relationships.
• Use technology effectively. Apply CRM, experience, proposal, reporting, and appropriate AI tools to strengthen work product, improve efficiency, and support strategic decisions.
• Manage resources and results. Develop practice and industry budgets, monitor investments, and evaluate the impact of business development initiatives.
• Develop the team. Supervise and mentor junior colleagues, support professional growth, and provide coverage across the team as needed.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree; a master’s degree or J.D. is a plus.
• At least six years of managerial marketing experience. Law firm or professional services experience, particularly in life sciences, is preferred.
• Knowledge of business development in a services industry, including client development, strategic planning, and cross-selling.
• The confidence and judgment to advise lawyers, build productive relationships, and move initiatives forward.
• Excellent communication skills, including persuasive writing for pitches, proposals, presentations, and marketing materials.
• Experience with budget planning, client account management, and staff supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities under deadline pressure.
• A collaborative approach, initiative, and a commitment to exceptional internal and external client service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related applications. Experience with DealCloud, Foundation, other research and marketing databases, and AI tools is preferred.

Bring your strategic perspective, industry knowledge, and leadership skills to a role where you can help drive the next chapter of our life sciences and healthcare practices.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $177,000 to $250,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

For benefits information, please click here https://www.arnoldporter.com/en/careers/professional-staff/benefits.

The firm may provide a discretionary bonus annually.