Senior Business Development Manager - London ACT

Senior Business Development Manager, ACT (8-Month Fixed Term Contract)

Location: London

Freshfields is a leading global law firm, committed to helping clients navigate complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals. We pride ourselves on our collaborative culture, innovative approach, and the exceptional talent of our people.

About Marketing & Business Development (MBD)

Our MBD team is a dynamic global force, comprising business development specialists, research analysts, and brand, marketing, and communications experts. We work together to shape the firm's client strategy, analyze complex business issues, identify opportunities, develop compelling proposals, and create engaging content and marketing campaigns. Our collective efforts define the client experience and elevate Freshfields' global perception.

About MBD for our Antitrust, Competition and Trade (ACT) Practice

The ACT MBD team plays a pivotal role in leading the strategic positioning, visibility, and client service activities for our world-renowned Antitrust, Competition and Trade practice. With over 300 lawyers across the UK, US, Europe, and Asia, our team helps companies navigate the complexities of increased governmental intervention, geopolitical shifts, and economic challenges. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to thrive in an international business environment, collaborating with a highly collaborative team of lawyers and professional colleagues on engaging work that truly allows you to make your mark and advance your career. You will manage daily workflows across the platform alongside two other senior managers in London and Washington D.C., with specific responsibility for creative and client growth strategies in Brussels.

The Opportunity

This is a dynamic role for an individual with outstanding teamwork and communication skills, alongside a proven ability to build strong, trusted relationships with partners and senior internal stakeholders. You will work collaboratively across our global firm with brand, marketing, communications, research, and other business services.

As a Senior Business Development Manager, you will provide both strategic direction and hands-on support to our London partners, driving new business opportunities with top clients and key targets. You will cultivate a deep understanding of our client base, identify opportunities to deepen relationships, drive momentum throughout the business development cycle, and serve as a trusted advisor on go-to-market strategies. Beyond business development, you will guide strategic marketing and visibility efforts, including thought leadership, sponsorships, events, content creation, survey submissions, and lateral attorney integration. Specialized expertise in pitching, AI, and key account client relationship management is essential.

Working closely with the Global Head of BD for ACT, you will:

• Lead the formulation of focused marketing and business development strategies for London ACT, strengthening client relationships, targeting new work effectively, and building the practice's reputation.

• Be a visible and credible advisor, using strong influencing skills to execute strategies and support partners across all stages of client engagement, from identifying discussion topics to managing associated activities.

• Oversee pitch strategy, including the creation of compelling credentials and proposals, advising partners on responses to fast-turnaround pitches, global RFPs, and other opportunities.

• Leverage experience with client feedback programs and Key Account Management (KAM), actively leading and participating in the firm’s related initiatives.

• Drive client targeting, analysis, horizon scanning, and market opportunity spotting. Proactively communicate market and client opportunities to partners, facilitating tailored briefings and market intelligence to foster business growth.

• Utilize a commercial mindset, knowledge of BD best practices, and advanced marketing technology (including Salesforce and the firm’s Gen AI platforms) to analyze trends, anticipate opportunities, track key relationships, and ensure efficient, innovative service delivery and reporting.

• Maintain a strong understanding of how AI tools, including Gen AI products, can support and automate functions like horizon scanning and research, taking responsibility for identifying, adopting, and leveraging the firm’s suite of Gen AI tools for more efficient, client-centric MBD support.

• Oversee the creation of practice group or sector-specific content, campaigns, and events, as well as relevant directory and award submissions, to increase client engagement and enhance the personal brands of leading practitioners and the firm’s global reputation.

• Demonstrate strong people management and leadership, inspiring and guiding two direct reports to become a high-performing team through coaching and mentoring.

• Build trusted relationships with partners, stakeholders, and global colleagues, fostering a 'one team' global mindset.

• Establish an agile and responsive bespoke service model grounded in mutual respect and appreciation of team skillsets.

• Contribute to continuous improvement in the firm’s approach to business development, setting high expectations for the team to coach, learn, and proactively share knowledge, content, and data.

• Support lateral partner integration in collaboration with the Global Head of BD for ACT and firm counterparts.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a seasoned professional with a strong track record in business development and relationship management within a professional services firm, ideally with a focus on Antitrust and Competition, Litigation, or other Regulatory practices.

Key attributes include:

• Demonstrated experience within a professional services environment, operating in a fast-paced, client-focused setting.

• A deep understanding of developing effective go-to-market strategies for proprietary content.

• A strong affinity for leveraging digital tools to engage diverse audiences.

• Exceptional emotional intelligence, independent thinking, and mature professional judgment.

• Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills, with the ability to build robust relationships internally and externally, and to guide less experienced colleagues.

• Proven multi-tasking and project management capabilities, with resilience under pressure and the ability to manage competing deadlines and evolving project criteria.

• Superior written, presentation, and oral communication skills, including excellence in grammar and proofreading, and the ability to draft high-quality substantive materials requiring minimal editing.

• Strong working knowledge of AI tools and their practical application in a business development context.

• Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Suite software.

• Experience across various sectors, with the ability to demonstrate sector focus and an understanding of sector-specific business drivers and market priorities.

• The ability to work flexibly in a dynamic environment with high expectations.

• Natural curiosity, a propensity for continuous learning, and enthusiasm for coaching and mentoring direct reports.

• Additional language skills are a plus.

Why Freshfields?

At Freshfields, you’ll be part of a truly global team that values collaboration, innovation, and client success. We offer an environment where you can develop your skills, contribute to high-profile matters, and make a significant impact.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.