Senior Business Development Manager (Corporate)

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP seeks a Senior Business Development Manager to drive the Corporate practice growth, focusing on M&A and Private Equity. The role is based in New York with hybrid work and reports to the Director of Business Development.

The ideal candidate combines industry knowledge with strong writing and relationship skills, manages multiple projects, and leads a collaborative team to deliver marketing collateral, client targeting, and strategy execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, marketing-related preferred; advanced degree, JD or MBA a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience with at least 3 years in management in legal or professional services.
• Experience with transactional advisors or related client growth
• Strong financial and research capabilities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong work ethic and client service orientation
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint; CRM experience with Salesforce or similar

Responsibilities

• Contribute to growth strategy for Corporate practice in M&A and Private Equity.
• Oversee pitches, RFPs, proposals and client presentations with research support.
• Research and drive strategy on client growth opportunities with market intelligence.
• Lead client targeting initiatives from strategy to execution.
• Oversee lateral partner strategy integration for M&A and Private Equity.
• Monitor market trends and disseminate actionable information.
• Develop and mentor junior business development staff.
• Create and maintain marketing collateral and bios.
• Manage M&A and Private Equity deal databases and reporting.
• Support league tables and industry awards activities.
• Coordinate speaking engagements and visibility efforts

Skills

Strategic growth

Pitch management

Team leadership

Research analysis

CRM familiarity

Client service

Communication

Attention to detail

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor’s degree

JD or MBA a plus

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to help drive the strategic growth of the firm’s Corporate practice, with an emphasis on our M&A and Private Equity groups. This position will reside in New York, with hybrid work capabilities, and report to the Director of Business Development.

The Senior Business Development Manager ("Senior Manager") is expected to have substantial industry knowledge and develop a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses. The ideal Senior Manager is a creative thinker, has strong written and verbal communications skills, a client service-oriented approach, attention to detail, intellectually curiosity, and works well in teams and autonomously. The Senior Manager must be organized and have strong follow-through, proactive, be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, and work well in a fast-paced environment.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Corporate practice’s growth strategy, particularly as it relates to the M&A and Private Equity practices
• Oversee process for all pitches, RFPs, proposals and client presentations, with related research and follow-through
• Research, analyze and drive the strategy on client growth opportunities, in collaboration with firm’s research team and market intelligence analyst
• Manage client targeting initiatives from strategy to execution
• Oversee lateral partner strategy and integration for M&A and Private Equity partners joining the firm
• Keep apprised of market, client and competitor trends, and disseminate information on key developments and actionable information as appropriate
• Manage and develop junior business development members, fostering a high‑performing, collaborative team
• Write and maintain marketing collateral, including web content, pitch books, attorney biographies and other marketing assets
• Manage M&A and Private Equity deal database, including ongoing matter collection and reporting
• Contribute to league tables and respond to various industry awards and directories
• Evaluate and coordinate speaking and other visibility efforts

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in a marketing-related field. Advanced degree, JD or MBA a plus
• Minimum of 7 years of experience with 3 years of management experience in the legal or professional services industry
• Prior experience working with transactional advisors
• Strong financial and research capability
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including strong writing and editing skills
• Strong work ethic and service orientation
• Strong critical thinking and sense of discretion
• Commitment to professional growth and development
• Ability to read, comprehend and follow instructions
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload, work independently and as a member of teams, and complete tasks under time pressure as necessary
• Poise, tact and professionalism when interacting with internal and external contacts
• Strong computer skills including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint are essential
• Experience with Salesforce or other CRM systems

The anticipated base salary range for this position in New York is $200,000 to $230,000. The actual salary offered will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, years of relevant experience, certifications or other professional licenses held, job-related knowledge and skills, business needs, and the location from which the work will be performed. Additionally, salary or hourly wages may be only part of the total compensation package, which may also include a full range of health and other insurance benefits, financial and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility), a discretionary bonus, and various paid time off benefits. Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here.