Business Development Manager – Strategic M&A

At Fried Frank, we’re a community of 800 lawyers and 500 business services professionals across New York, Washington, DC, London, Frankfurt, and Brussels. We advise leading corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions on high-stakes M&A, securities, regulatory matters, real estate, and litigation. Our culture is grounded in our core values — excellence, integrity and collaboration — and is designed to foster continuous learning, meaningful mentorship, and lasting professional growth. We are firmly committed to pro bono service and social justice, building on a proud legacy in civil rights. Our inclusive talent strategy is a core part of our broader talent management efforts and we remain steadfast in fostering a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and become their best professional and personal selves. Our business services professionals are integral to the firm’s success, driving innovation, operational excellence and exceptional client service across all areas of the firm. We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including comprehensive medical coverage, retirement plans and health and wellness initiatives designed to support your personal and professional wellbeing. We welcome passionate, driven individuals to join us, and be part of a team where you’ll be supported, inspired and empowered to build an exceptional career.

Job Summary:

Fried Frank’s Strategic M&A practice has been at the forefront of the M&A industry, navigating our clients through some of the largest and most complex transactions in the US and globally.

The Business Development Manager will work with the Strategic M&A practice to provide business development strategies designed for growth. In close partnership with the Business Development team, the wider Marketing team, Practice Group Management and other members of the Business Services team, they will collaborate, innovate and drive the strategic marketing and business development for one of the firm’s flagship practices.

An entrepreneurial spirit is essential to proactively identify opportunities, drive initiatives forward, and adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Job Relationships:

Reports to the Director of Business Development. Must be able to work closely with Practice Group Leaders, members of the Marketing and Business Development Department and able to interact with all legal and administrative staff.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead all business development, marketing and client targeting activities for the strategic M&A practice, ensuring strategic alignment on business development priorities, go-to-market efforts, and other client-facing initiatives.
• Identify and advance visibility efforts and opportunities to expand the practice, including insights-driven events, conference sponsorship strategy, and thought leadership campaigns.
• Collaborate with partners and global teams to develop and implement go-to-market plans focused on public companies and target industries.
• Develop and oversee maintenance of off-the-shelf marketing and pitch materials that showcase the firm’s strategic M&A capabilities, including key messages and value proposition.
• Work closely with attorneys on their individual business development goals, identifying and developing strategic priorities and executing business development plans that align with broader practice goals.
• Assist attorneys with new business opportunities and pitch meetings, including:
  • Holding briefing discussions to understand and strategize around the opportunity
  • Facilitating market, industry and client/prospect research to inform the approach
  • Writing new business proposals and producing responses to requests for information/requests for proposals (RFIs/RFPs).
  • Preparing pitch materials, including one pagers, infographics and similar leave-behind items
  • Supporting follow-up and debrief activities post-pitch
• Collaborate with research team to conduct ongoing market research and compile competitive intelligence on key client and targets.
• Manage all facets including strategy and follow up of the directories submission process for relevant practice areas.
• Assist with identifying and completing award submissions.
• Oversee maintenance of practice related information in proposal database and matter information database.
• Oversee maintenance of online reporting system tracking proposals/pitches, including relevant documents, and evaluate progress by client/prospect, industry and type of services proposed.
• Manage other team members on the M&A business development team, helping to teach and grow junior talent.

Qualifications:

Education: 4-year College degree required, preferably in business, marketing, communications and/or liberal arts. 

Experience: 6+ years’ experience in business development and marketing and/or in practice management, preferably within the marketing department of a law firm or another professional services firm. Minimum 3 years’ experience specifically providing business development support to a practice.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the legal industry and sales cycle.
• Strong communications skills required. Must have excellent team and project management, organization and planning abilities. Must work collaboratively and promote teamwork, productivity and accountability within team. Must inspire enthusiasm, motivation, and positive attitude amongst team and with internal clients.
• Must have superb client service and interpersonal skills and communicate effectively verbally and in writing with personnel at all levels – attorneys, management, peers and direct reports. Must be comfortable articulating and presenting strategic approaches with clarity and practicality.
• Must work with strong intellectual curiosity and resourcefulness. Must possess rigorous attention to process and detail, with overall pride of workmanship. Must be comfortable in a fast-paced environment working under pressure and prioritizing competing responsibilities within tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Must be self-motivated and act with integrity and in an equitable and professional manner.

Attendance: All positions require punctuality.

Technological Skills: Must be proficient in Microsoft Office suite. Must have experience with certain corporate and legal industry research tools. Experience with marketing-related databases preferred.