company logo

Senior Business Development Manager, Finance

Herbert Smith Freehills

Office

London, United Kingdom

Full Time

The Opportunity

Key internal relationships: 

  • Head of BD Finance, BD Executive Finance, BD Manager Finance 
  • Finance partners and associates
  • MP Finance West 
  • MP Finance East 
  • Group Heads in Finance 
  • Head of Practice Management Finance 
  • BD Director, UK, US & EMEA and the broader BD & Marketing team
  • Key external relationships:     
  • Third-party partner organisations across UK and EMEA in respect of thought leadership, PR, conferences, and events.

Key responsibilities: 

  • Work alongside the Head of BD Finance, the EMEA MP and the Finance Group Heads to provide strategic business development and marketing for the London and EMEA Finance division, including but not limited to, identifying areas of growth, influencing strategic priorities and Partner decision-making and leading on initiatives that align with firmwide projects.Lead the business development and marketing for the Energy transition and infrastructure finance group, the largest group within the Finance division. Act as a strategic advisor to the group head and other LFB partners to influence and develop BD strategy, both individual and group wide, ensuring BD initiatives are aligned to maximise client growth, sustained revenue generation and profile raising for the practice. This role would be expected to influence decision making and strategy that not only impacts LFB but the wider Finance practice and sectors, in particular, energy, infrastructure and TMT. As well as broader teams across EMEA and US.
  • Assist with and contribute to building a high BD performing team, ensuring team members are aligned with strategic priorities, and demonstrating return on investment of BD activities. Provide mentoring and guidance to BD team members outside of Finance and deputise for the Head of Business Development for Finance in their absence. 
  • Drive the strategic decision-making around product development and go-to market strategy, maximising profitable revenue opportunities and with a focus on the firm's strategic choices of Energy Transition and Private Capital. 
  • Identify strategically important client relationships for the Finance division and the firm and look to develop strategic pursuit plans to drive profitable revenue  across multiple practices groups, key priority sectors and identified growth corridor offices, particularly in relation to firms' strategic choices. Own the relationships with multiple clients and act as an influencer and advisor to CRPs on the development of these accounts, challenging BD approaches to ensure they are grown strategically. 
  • Lead the pitching function within Finance BD, both managing the pitch pipeline and contributing to the most significant and profitable opportunities. Develop key messaging and value propositions, targeted at individual client needs as well as providing coaching and challenge to Partners on pitch ROI. This role will assert influence across the Partner group in London, EMEA and the US to ensure we strategically pursue profitable and revenue generating opportunities. 
  • Drive the development and delivery of impactful strategic thought leadership and brand building initiatives, including but not limited to, leading on relationships with trade bodies and associations, identifying opportunities to build relationships with journalists and media, identifying market themes and topics to pursue for though leadership campaigns, and monitoring competitor output.  Ensuring alignment of these campaigns to broader firmwide initiatives. Driving ROI and measuring the impact of profile building activities. Champion and seek to continuously improve the use of BD systems and processes.  

Qualifications, skills and experience:

  • Degree educated 
  • Understanding of finance and related legal services is desirable  seven years corporate or professional services experience. Of which, two years working in finance, capital markets, corporate or a similar transactional practice are desirable. We will consider candidates with less or more experience providing they meet the required competencies
  • seven years experience of working in a partnership is preferable but not mandatory 
  • Proficient systems skills (experience in Word, Excel, Powerpoint; Outlook, InterAction)
  • Assimilates and analyses information quickly
  • Numerate with an understanding of law firm economics 
  • Faultless and engaging writing skills    
  • High level of verbal reasoning 
  • Builds rapport and professional credibility quickly 
  • Assertive in interpersonal relationships
  • Takes personal responsibility for getting things done
  • Sets and meets challenging deadlines
  • Excellent organisational skills and high levels of accuracy
  • Approaches challenges with a ‘can-do’ attitude
  • Remains calm under pressure
  • Flexible team player
  • Prompt and attentive 
     

Team

Business Development

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

London

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

Senior Business Development Manager, Finance

Office

London, United Kingdom

Full Time

August 19, 2025

company logo

Herbert Smith Freehills

HSFlegal