Senior Business Development Manager

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

Job summary

Arnold & Porter in Boston seeks a Senior Business Development Manager to lead strategic growth across the Global Life Sciences Industry Group, Life Sciences & Healthcare Regulatory practices, and affiliated working groups. You will advise partners, translate client insights into new business, and shape strategy from plans to compelling proposals that raise the firm’s profile in the sector.

The role reports to senior leadership, collaborates with lawyers and marketers, and leverages market

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; a master’s degree or J.D. is a plus.
• At least six years of managerial marketing experience in a professional services setting preferred.
• Knowledge of business development in services industries including client development, strategic planning, and cross-selling.
• Ability to advise lawyers, build productive relationships, and move initiatives forward.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for pitches, proposals, and marketing materials.
• Experience with budget planning, client account management, and staff supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Collaborative mindset, initiative, and commitment to client service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with DealCloud, Foundation, and AI tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Shape growth strategy and execute practice and industry business plans.
• Advise group leaders and lawyers on client development and cross-selling opportunities.
• Collaborate across practices to pursue opportunities and strengthen life sciences capabilities.
• Use market research and client insights to guide targeting and deepen relationships.
• Lead tailored pitches and RFP responses addressing client priorities.
• Manage follow-up, track results, and ensure effective visibility activities.
• Develop client events, webinars, conferences, and publicity opportunities.
• Support lateral hires and mentor junior colleagues across the team.
• Apply CRM and AI tools to improve efficiency and decision making.

Skills

Strategic planning

Client development

Cross-selling

Team leadership

Budget planning

Proposal writing

Communication

Research & market intelligence

AI tools

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree or J.D. a plus

Tools

DealCloud

Foundation

CRM systems

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.

The firm may provide a discretionary bonus annually.

Arnold & Porter is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy and childbirth (including breastfeeding and related medical conditions), age, marital or partnership status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family leave status, citizenship status, immigration status, ancestry, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations. Our Firm's equal opportunity policy applies to all employment practices and terms and conditions, including, without limitation, recruitment, employment, assignment, training, compensation, benefits, promotions, disciplinary action and terminations. For purposes of the firm's Anti-discrimination and Anti-harassment Policies, the term "race" includes, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks, and twists.

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP endeavors to make www.arnoldporter.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Director of Support Staff Stephanie Denmark at +1 202.942.6068. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP uses E-Verify, which is a web-based system, to confirm the eligibility of our employees to work in the United States. As an E-Verify employer, we verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees by electronically matching information provided by employees on the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, against records available to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We use E-Verify because we are a federal contractor containing the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify clause. Please see the posters for details regarding E-Verify or contact Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP’s Human Resources Department for more information. E-Verify Participation Poster and Right-to-work Poster.