Manager: Business Development

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial and collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realise their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in one of the firm’s flagship practice areas — working at the intersection of strategy, client relationships and market intelligence to help our Finance lawyers win and grow their most important mandates. You’ll be part of a collaborative, high-energy BD team that values fresh thinking and gives you real ownership of the initiatives you run.

You will be part of a collaborative, high-energy BD team supporting the Finance practice. You’ll work closely with partners, associates, and BD colleagues across the firm’s global network, reporting into the senior BD leadership team.

We structure our team to create opportunities for growth and development. This is a role designed to build the commercial, strategic and leadership skills that form the foundation of a senior BD career in a top-tier international firm.

Standard hours are 9:30am to 5:30pm with flexibility in accordance with the needs of the business. Our current working from home policy allows for two days working from home, subject to business need. This policy is subject to change and does not form part of contractual terms.

Practice Strategy & Planning

• Shape and deliver business development plans for the Finance practice, working with partners and BD leadership to turn strategic priorities into action.
• Collaborate with practice leaders to advance key strategic initiatives, marketing campaigns, and tactical programmes that drive measurable outcomes.
• Support and contribute to the development of client strategies, account plans, and cross-selling initiatives within the Finance practice and across related practice areas.

Pitches, Pursuits & Client Opportunities

• Shape and deliver business development plans for the Finance practice, working with partners and BD leadership to turn strategic priorities into action.
• Provide rapid support for day-to-day requests and lead compelling pitches, RFP responses and client presentations — crafting persuasive proposals that win work and demonstrate the team’s strengths.

• Coordinate with the global BD team and/or partners in other offices to ensure a joined-up approach to multi-jurisdictional opportunities.

Profile-Raising & Thought Leadership

• Develop thought leadership and marketing campaigns that raise the profile of the Finance practice across platforms, including social media, in partnership with the firm’s PR and Communications teams.
• Track market trends, client activity and competitor intelligence to surface actionable insights — helping partners spot opportunities and stay ahead of market developments.
• Ensure lawyer bios, practice descriptions and mailing lists are refreshed periodically to ensure they reflect current activity and expertise.

Events & Programmes

• Drive a programme of events, sponsorships and webinars that position our Finance lawyers in front of the right audiences and strengthen client relationships.
• Manage regular communications and touchpoints with assigned teams — including meetings, progress reports, and updates that keep momentum behind key initiatives.

Cross-Practice & Global Collaboration

• Collaborate with BD colleagues in London and around the global network, sharing intelligence, coordinating on cross-practice opportunities, and contributing to the firm’s integrated approach to business development.
• Facilitate introductions between relevant practice groups and lawyers, helping to surface opportunities that sit across teams or regions.

Operational & Team Support

• Embrace and apply new technology and AI tools to sharpen research, streamline pitches, and enhance the quality and speed of BD output.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement in BD processes, looking for smarter and more efficient ways to deliver high-quality work.

Educated to a degree level or equivalent. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience has been directly related to the functions of the job.

Professional Experience:

• Experience in business development, marketing or communications within professional services, financial services, or a comparable commercial environment.
• A genuine interest in the legal market and transactional finance — or the curiosity and drive to get up to speed quickly.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and PowerPoint).
• Numerate, with the ability to work confidently with data and financial information.
• Enthusiasm for, or familiarity with, AI tools and competitive intelligence platforms is a plus.

Performance Traits:

• Strong written and verbal communicator — able to craft clear, professional content and engage confidently with people at all levels.
• Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced team — comfortable juggling competing priorities while keeping work high-quality and on track.
• Sharp eye for detail and strong organisational instincts, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills — able to see the bigger picture while delivering on the day-to-day.
• Commercially tuned-in and client-focused, with the instinct to anticipate what partners and clients need before they ask.
• High level of initiative, resilience, and adaptability — a self-starter who also works generously within a team.
• Confident setting priorities, managing projects, and guiding others — with the potential to develop into a strong team leader.
• Curious and improvement-minded — always looking for a smarter way to get things done.
• Some experience with operational budget management and reporting is desirable but not essential.

At Mayer Brown, we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment that offers our people the opportunity and support they need to succeed.

Our culture promotes mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation and productivity among people from all backgrounds and values different perspectives and ideas.

One of our core values at Mayer Brown is to promote inclusion at all levels within the business which is actively supported by our Employee Resource Groups - LGBT+, Fusion (Race & Ethnicity), Multi-faith, Women, Enable (Disability) and Work and Me (Family).

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that individuals may require throughout the recruitment process and once they have joined the Firm