Business Development Manager - FIG (UK)

Reed Smith LLP; City of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm is seeking a highly motivated Business Development Manager to drive strategic initiatives and revenue growth for their Financial Industry Group. The role requires over 5 years of business development experience, particularly in professional services, with a strong interest in financial services. Ideal candidates will be self-starters with excellent communication and organizational skills, capable of managing a team and collaborating globally. This role is based in London, requiring in-office attendance at least three days a week.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of business development experience in a law firm or professional services.
• Demonstrate sound professional judgment and poise.
• Collaborative, resourceful, proactive, and creative.

Responsibilities

• Drive BD initiatives and support FIG partners.
• Prepare pitches and marketing materials.
• Coordinate events and profile-raising activities.

Skills

Business development experience

Strong organizational skills

Excellent communication skills

Financial services interest

Project management skills

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated Business Development Manager to join our dynamic team and take a leading role in supporting the FIG partners in the EMEA. This role is critical in relentlessly driving marketing and BD initiatives forward, proactively bringing new business ideas to the partners and working across FIG to drive revenue growth. The ideal candidate will be a highly driven self‑starter with a commercial outlook, working closely with partners to develop and execute strategic business development initiatives. The primary focus will be on revenue growth and raising the profile of the group across the region and, by extension, globally. The successful candidate will manage two members of the team, and work very closely with the other members of the FIG BD team based in the U.S. Experience of working in a financial services focused role is required.

The Firm

Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long‑standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go‑to partner for complex transactions, disputes and regulatory matters. Our team of 3,000 people (including more than 1,700 lawyers) across more than 30 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia operate as one global partnership to drive progress for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.

Our Financial Industry Group (FIG) is the largest of our five industry groups, with a client roster that includes domestic and global banks, investment banks, funds, investment management companies, advisors, and multinational companies. Our firm’s FIG experience spans the full financial services sector and our core areas of excellence include fund finance, private credit, real estate finance, corporate trust, structured finance, restructuring & insolvency, financial regulation and financial services litigation.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Business and Industry Insight: Maintain a comprehensive understanding of FIG’s business and clients, applying that knowledge to drive meaningful BD activities across the group to drive new business.
• Interaction and Relationship Building: Regularly interact with Industry Group Leaders and other key partners and lawyers on FIG BD activities; develop and maintain strong working relationships with lawyers across the group and in other groups; collaborate closely with other members of the BD team globally to ensure that connections are made when needed and that skills from across our global marketing & business development team are fully leveraged.
• Pitch and Client Marketing Materials: Prepare tailored, compelling, best‑in‑class pitches and responses for new business opportunities, including project management and collaborating with colleagues from across the marketing team.
• Brand Positioning and Strategy: Drive brand positioning efforts, including managing strategic conference sponsorships, client presentations, seminars, and webinars; develop and execute cross‑selling efforts, BD, and profile‑raising initiatives in line with the firm’s strategic objectives.
• Collaboration and Lead Generation: Collaborate with internal resources to find synergies and assist attorneys in lead generation and pursuits; facilitate the integration of lateral partners and leverage the firm’s capabilities for new client opportunities.
• Tracking and Reporting: Track and report on the return on investment for major BD expenditures; maintain contributions and input related to attorney experience and client information into business development systems including CRM and Foundation.
• Marketing and Communications: Oversee/manage submissions for major awards and legal directories; ensure all marketing communications channels convey consistent messages about the group and its experience; work with communications and media staff to identify and pursue PR opportunities in key legal trade and industry publications and industry surveys.
• Event Coordination: Coordinate and plan practice profile‑raising activities, including conferences, seminars, and sponsorships; ensure budget adherence and ROI analysis for these activities.
• Ad Hoc Responsibilities: Assist with other marketing initiatives and responsibilities as required.
• Supervisory/Responsibilities: This role will supervise two BD Executives, and liaise as necessary with other members of the Marketing team on key projects and initiatives.
• Office Working: Required to work in the office at minimum 3 days per week; some travel for meetings and events as required; and occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule.

Key Skills, Attributes and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Marketing, Business, Communications or related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of business development experience in a law firm and/or professional services environment.
• Experience of and genuine interest in financial services is essential.
• Demonstrate sound professional judgment and a high degree of poise and professionalism when interacting with internal and external contacts.
• Strong organizational, project management and problem‑solving skills.
• Collaborative, resourceful, proactive and creative; able to work independently as well as part of a team and be flexible in approach.
• Excellent communication skills – oral and written.
• Natural internal networker who uncovers opportunities through engaging informally with partners and colleagues, as well as externally with clients.
• Detail oriented, proactive and self‑directed with ability to independently manage and appropriately prioritize multiple projects and competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Ability to have a customer‑focused mindset and deliver high‑quality service or solutions to internal or external stakeholders.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate changes, unexpected challenges, and evolving priorities.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; technologically savvy and able to quickly learn new database systems.

Application Instructions

At Reed Smith, we welcome direct applications either in response to one of our advertised vacancies or on a speculative basis. Please type “Apply Now” to submit your details and we will be in touch. No search firms/agencies please.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Reed Smith’s success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran’s status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.

We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long‑term health conditions. If you have a disability or a long‑term health condition and require adjustments to be made for you within the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Recruitment team. For more information on our approach to diversity and inclusion please visit our website.