About the role
The Business Development Manager (BDM) will work with the BD Lead and national Employment, Pensions and Immigration leadership team to support business development activity across the practice. Working closely with partners and fee earners across the firm’s offices, the BDM will help shape and execute national BD plans, strengthen client and intermediary relationships, support cross-selling across employment, pensions and immigration services, and ensure the practice has a strong market profile through targeted campaigns, compelling propositions, high-quality pitches and effective client development activity
Key responsibilities
- Support the development and delivery of Business Development plans for the Employment, Pensions and Immigration teams, aligned with firm strategy.
- Identify and develop new business opportunities through existing clients, referrals, intermediaries and market contacts.
- Build market and client insight to identify trends, opportunities and competitive advantages.
- Strengthen relationships with key stakeholders including HR leaders, in-house counsel, trustees, advisers and other professional contacts.
- Lead and coordinate pitches, proposals, tenders and capability statements to win new business.
- Deliver targeted marketing campaigns, events, webinars and thought leadership initiatives.
- Support client listening programmes and relationship development plans to grow key accounts.
- Develop and maintain compelling service propositions, credentials, case studies and award submissions.
- Coordinate national BD activity, sharing best practice and ensuring alignment across offices.
- Monitor pipeline activity, campaign performance and business development outcomes, providing regular reporting and recommendations.
- Collaborate with colleagues across Business Development, Marketing, Communications and wider practice groups to maximise opportunities.
- Ensure all activities comply with relevant regulatory, professional and data protection requirements.
Your skills and qualifications
- Proven experience in Business Development, Marketing or Client Development, ideally within professional services or a legal environment.
- Experience supporting national or multi-office teams and coordinating activity across multiple stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of BD planning, client development, campaigns, referrals and revenue growth initiatives.
- Skilled in developing and delivering pitches, proposals and client-focused marketing materials.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to influence senior professionals.
- Commercially aware, with an understanding of client needs, market trends and business opportunities.
- Experience using CRM systems, reporting tools and data to monitor performance and support decision-making.
- Strong project management, organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Collaborative, proactive and delivery-focused, with a keen eye for detail.
- Knowledge of data protection and marketing compliance requirements.
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience; a marketing or BD qualification is desirable but not essential.
Become part of the team at Freeths.
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Do we sound like a match? If you’re someone who cares deeply, communicates openly and collaborates effectively, then we’d love to have you join our diverse, inclusive team.
Skills Required
- Proven experience in business development, marketing, or client development, ideally in professional services or a legal environment.
- Experience supporting national or multi-office teams and coordinating activity across multiple stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of BD planning, client development, campaigns, referrals, and revenue growth initiatives.
- Experience developing and delivering pitches, proposals, tenders, and client-focused marketing materials.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with confidence influencing senior professionals.
- Commercial awareness and understanding of client needs, market trends, and business opportunities.
- Experience using CRM systems, reporting tools, and data to monitor performance and support decision-making.
- Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Knowledge of data protection and marketing compliance requirements.
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
- Marketing or business development qualification.
What We Do
Freeths is a leading, full-service UK law firm with a national network of 12 offices and more than 1,300 colleagues. It delivers legal services and practical advice to clients across a broad range of matters, while also working with more than 200 public-sector bodies, including schools, education providers, and NHS trusts. The firm emphasizes smart, bold, collaborative, inclusive, and responsible service.
