Business Development Executive Manager – Corporate/M&A (UK)

The Role

You will work directly with key stakeholders across the UK Corporate/M&A teams on their client and market development initiatives, and in defining and driving the implementation of the UK M&A BD strategy.

This role collaborates closely with the fee-earning population to support identification, pursuit and winning of revenue generating opportunities. It connects Partners and lawyers to the full spectrum of BD services and expertise available across the global function.

This role works alongside counterparts in other regions, as well as being a key member of the BD community globally.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Implementation

• Establish and oversee the development and implementation of business development and marketing plans, ensuring alignment with firmwide strategy.
• Identify and seek to plug gaps in our sector and product coverage. 
• Track progress against plans and refine approach accordingly to achieve over-arching goals, evaluating ROI on a periodic basis.
• Commission in-depth research on regional product and market trends, clients, prospects, and competitors to inform strategic marketing decisions.
• Oversee and manage the quality of output, ensuring Partner expectations are being met.

Revenue generation

• Support the Corporate/M&A teams in defining and implementing its business development plan.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to develop/shape BD product offerings and initiatives.
• Position and promote relevant BD offerings and initiatives with the wider Corporate Practice and the firm more widely.
• Proactively spot market trends and opportunities and facilitate necessary discussions to determine next steps.
• Provide tailored input into Corporate/M&A pitches, capability statements and panel RFPs.

Reputation management and marketing communications (working with Brand, Communications and Public Affairs (BCPA) and Knowledge, Expertise and Thought Leadership (KETL))

• Assist in identifying opportunities to position and raise the profile of the Corporate/M&A practice and its individual lawyers.
• Lead or oversee the organisation of relevant BD client events, seminars and conferences, sponsorships, PR, etc
• Oversee multiple marketing communications projects, including the delivery of relevant directory/awards submissions.
• Support in the creation and distribution of thought leadership material.

Client and Market Development

• Apply depth of Corporate/M&A BD practice and product knowledge to support firmwide client and sector programmes.
• Conduct competitor, client and marketplace analysis to identify new and emerging client and sector opportunities.

Business Development Function

• Work closely with the global BD team to execute on strategically important Business Development function projects.
• Support the implementation of the new BD Operating Model by assisting with the alignment of activity to teams (within and outside of BD), in line with technology roadmaps and transition plans.

Team Leadership and Development

• Line management responsibility for at least one team member.

Your Experience

Key Requirements

• Previous experience in professional services business development (preferably in a law firm)
• A strong interest in and understanding of the work types(s) relevant to this role
• Sound commercial awareness of legal market development, particularly in relation to work type(s) relevant to this role
• The ability to develop advisory relationships with partners
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and with lawyers of all seniority levels
• Commitment to quality and attention to detail

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Hybrid Working

This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time.

What we offer including our broad range of benefits and working environment

When you join Clifford Chance, you will have access to a broad range of benefits to support you across many aspects of your personal and professional life including financial, wellbeing, lifestyle, and family friendly benefits. For more information on what we offer specifically in the UK, please visit our What We Offer page on our career site. 

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.

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