Senior Business Development Manager

Alston & Bird; New York (NY); On-site; USD 190,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Alston & Bird LLP, a leading international law firm based in New York, seeks a Senior Business Development Manager to drive growth for Finance and Investment Funds. You will lead sophisticated BD strategy, client targeting, and market positioning, partnering with practice leaders and attorneys to identify revenue opportunities and elevate the firm’s profile.

You will manage client programs, pitches, and materials, oversee budgets, and mentor the BD team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 8+ years of business development, marketing, or professional services experience, preferably in a law firm; 10+ years preferred.
• Experience advising senior attorneys or practice leaders and leading cross-functional BD initiatives preferred.
• Familiarity with structured finance, private credit, fund finance, leveraged finance, asset management, private equity funds, credit funds, hedge funds, or related private capital strategies preferred.
• Experience preparing pitches, proposals, RFP responses, client presentations, and related BD materials.
• Experience with rankings, awards, directory submissions, events, thought leadership, deal data, and league tables preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior BD advisor and primary contact for Finance and Investment Funds attorneys and practice leaders.
• Lead strategic BD initiatives that support growth, client development, cross-selling, and market visibility.
• Develop and manage client targeting, pursuit, and follow-up programs, including tracking activity, outcomes, and next steps.
• Align BD activities with practice priorities, revenue opportunities, and client service goals.
• Use market, client, industry, and competitive intelligence to guide targeting, positioning, and pursuits.
• Maintain and leverage deal, matter, and experience data for pitches, credentials, rankings, league tables, and client development.
• Support lateral partner integration by aligning client relationships, credentials, and go-to-market priorities with firmwide BD efforts.
• Prepare pitches, proposals, RFP responses, capability statements, presentations, and related BD materials.
• Manage BD budgets and evaluate sponsorships, memberships, conferences, and client-facing events for ROI and strategic alignment.
• Coordinate client programs, thought leadership, marketing materials, and other visibility initiatives.
• Manage directory, ranking, and award submissions, including Chambers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms.
• Track BD activities, opportunities, and follow-up to support accountability and measurement.
• Supervise, mentor, and help prioritize work for BD team members supporting the assigned practices.

Skills

BD strategy

Client targeting

Relationship management

Project management

Communication

Leadership presence

CRM

MS Office

AI tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM software

MS Office

AI-enabled tools

Job description

As a leading international law firm, we are dedicated to excellence through impactful communication, collaboration, and community involvement. Our company culture has earned us one of the \"100 Best Companies to Work For\" for 27 consecutive years. This honor, along with many others, highlights our commitment to innovation and professional development. At Alston & Bird LLP, our foundation is made of trust, reliability, and compassion.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Senior Business Development Manager will drive growth for the firm's Finance and Investment Funds practice groups by leading sophisticated BD strategy, client targeting, and market-positioning initiatives. Based in New York, this highly visible role partners directly with practice leaders and attorneys to identify revenue opportunities, deepen client relationships, and elevate the firm's profile in competitive finance and private capital markets. This role requires a strategic, commercially minded BD leader with executive presence, sound judgment, strong project leadership, and the ability to influence stakeholders and drive disciplined execution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Serve as senior BD advisor and primary contact for Finance and Investment Funds attorneys and practice leaders.


• Lead strategic BD initiatives that support growth, client development, cross-selling, and market visibility.


• Develop and manage client targeting, pursuit, and follow-up programs, including tracking activity, outcomes, and next steps.


• Align BD activities with practice priorities, revenue opportunities, and client service goals.


• Use market, client, industry, and competitive intelligence to guide targeting, positioning, and pursuits.


• Maintain and leverage deal, matter, and experience data for pitches, credentials, rankings, league tables, and client development.


• Support lateral partner integration by aligning client relationships, credentials, and go-to-market priorities with firmwide BD efforts.


• Prepare pitches, proposals, RFP responses, capability statements, presentations, and related BD materials.


• Manage BD budgets and evaluate sponsorships, memberships, conferences, and client-facing events for ROI and strategic alignment.


• Coordinate client programs, thought leadership, marketing materials, and other visibility initiatives.


• Manage directory, ranking, and award submissions, including Chambers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms.


• Track BD activities, opportunities, and follow-up to support accountability and measurement.


• Supervise, mentor, and help prioritize work for BD team members supporting the assigned practices.

SKILLS NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

• Strong business development, client development, and professional services judgment.


• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Strong project management skills and ability to manage competing priorities.


• High attention to detail and commitment to quality work product.


• Ability to build credibility with attorneys, practice leaders, and colleagues across the firm.


• Leadership presence, sound judgment, and ability to influence stakeholders.


• Strong analytical skills and comfort using market, client, and competitive data.


• Self-starter who works well independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.


• Comfort using CRM, research, proposal, and AI-enabled tools to improve BD execution and insight generation.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required.


• 8+ years of business development, marketing, or professional services experience, preferably in a law firm; 10+ years preferred.


• Experience advising senior attorneys or practice leaders and leading cross-functional BD initiatives preferred.


• Familiarity with structured finance, private credit, fund finance, leveraged finance, asset management, private equity funds, credit funds, hedge funds, or related private capital strategies preferred.


• Experience preparing pitches, proposals, RFP responses, client presentations, and related BD materials.


• Experience with rankings, awards, directory submissions, events, thought leadership, deal data, and league tables preferred.

The salary range for this position in New York City is $190,000 - $200,000. These ranges represent the Firm's good faith minimum and maximum salary expectations for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation offered will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and work location.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Alston & Bird LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer does not discriminate on the bases of any status protected under federal, state, or local law. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in relation to our recruiting, hiring, and promoting practices.

The statements contained in this position description are not necessarily all-inclusive, additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.

Professional business references and a background screening will be required for all final applicants selected for a position.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability you may contact [e-mail].

Alston & Bird is not currently accepting resumes from agencies for this position. If you are a recruiter, search firm, or employment agency, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if Alston & Bird hires the candidate.