Senior Business Development Manager, M&A

Plona Partners; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Plona Partners is seeking a Business Development Senior Manager to advise senior attorneys across Corporate, M&A and Securities. This high-visibility role shapes growth, client development and revenue strategy across New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Stamford, with hybrid work.

You will drive strategic BD initiatives, lead pitches and oversee budgets while mentoring a team of BD professionals and collaborating with firm leadership on thought leadership and market visibility.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive business development or marketing experience in Am Law firms or sophisticated professional services organizations.
• Strong understanding of Corporate, M&A, Securities, Capital Markets, or related transactional practices.
• Demonstrated success advising senior partners and influencing practice-level growth strategies.
• Experience leading complex pitches, client development initiatives, and cross-practice opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Developing and executing sophisticated BD strategies across Corporate, M&A, and Securities practices.
• Serving as a trusted strategic advisor to partners on client growth and market opportunities.
• Leading high-value pitches, RFPs, client presentations, and strategic pursuit initiatives.
• Identifying cross-selling opportunities across offices, practices, and industry sectors.
• Leveraging market intelligence and competitive research to identify revenue opportunities.
• Overseeing BD investments, practice budgets, and BD ROI.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Client development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Business Development Senior Manager | Corporate, M&A & Securities

New York | Boston | Philadelphia | Stamford, CT

$170,000 – $250,000 + Bonus & Overtime Eligibility | Hybrid

Plona Partners is representing an Am Law 50-ranked, internationally recognized law firm with a sophisticated corporate platform and a strong presence across major U.S. financial markets.

Our client is seeking an accomplished Business Development Senior Manager to serve as a strategic advisor to senior attorneys and practice leadership across its Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Securities practices. This is a high-visibility leadership opportunity for a business development professional who wants to move beyond traditional marketing execution and play a meaningful role in shaping practice growth, client development, and long-term revenue strategy.

The Opportunity

Working closely with Practice Group Leaders and senior firm leadership, this individual will help drive the commercial strategy of a sophisticated corporate practice, with significant autonomy and influence over business development initiatives across multiple offices.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and executing sophisticated business development strategies across Corporate, M&A, and Securities practices.
• Serving as a trusted strategic advisor to partners and practice leadership on client growth, competitive positioning, and market opportunities.
• Leading high-value pitches, RFPs, client presentations, and strategic pursuit initiatives.
• Identifying cross-selling opportunities across practices, offices, and industry sectors.
• Leveraging market intelligence, competitive research, and client insights to identify new revenue opportunities.
• Overseeing strategic marketing investments, practice budgets, and business development ROI.
• Partnering with firm leadership on thought leadership, market visibility, and strategic client engagement.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing business development professionals while driving collaboration across offices.

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of progressive business development or marketing experience, preferably within Am Law firms or sophisticated professional services organizations.
• Strong understanding of Corporate, M&A, Securities, Capital Markets, or related transactional practices.
• Demonstrated success advising senior partners and influencing practice-level growth strategies.
• Experience leading complex pitches, client development initiatives, and cross-practice opportunities.
• Strong commercial judgment, financial acumen, and executive-level communication skills.
• Proven leadership experience, including managing and mentoring business development teams.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced qualifications are valued.
• Base Salary: $170,000 – $250,000, depending on experience.
• Bonus and overtime eligibility.
• Location flexibility across New York, Boston, Philadelphia, or Stamford.
• Opportunity to support a nationally recognized corporate practice within an Am Law 50 platform.
• Significant exposure to senior partners, practice leadership, and firmwide strategic initiatives.