US MBD Innovation & Operations Lead

We're building operational excellence and AI capabilities across US Marketing & Business Development. This role will transform how we work by creating playbooks, driving tech adoption and leveraging systems to help partners focus on relationships instead of administrative tasks.

The Bottom Line: We have powerful tools (Writer AI, Salesforce, Foundation) but aren't using them effectively. You'll fix that by inspiring behavioral change, driving adoption of existing toolkits, creating innovative new processes and leveraging AI to deliver a future-proof, best-in-class operating model for MBD in the US.

• Create playbooks for core activities: pitch development, chambers submissions, events, research, client intelligence, working with relevant MBD stakeholders to review existing approaches, then adapting for US needs
• Standardize and embed workflows so we stop reinventing the wheel every time
• Influence behavior and train US teams on adopting and consistently applying existing processes, creating new processes and how to leverage AI tools
• Work across stakeholders (risk, compliance, IT, partners, MBD) to get buy-in

• Set up competitive intelligence systems to monitor client news, competitor moves, market signals
• Surface actionable opportunities for partners: "Client X announced Y, here's your opening"
• Build AI-powered relationship management that helps partners stay connected without manual tracking
• Work directly with partners to understand priorities and deliver intelligence-driven opportunities, which complement the work already undertaken by MBD teams

• Champion Writer AI integration across MBD workflows
• Identify high-value use cases where AI scales intelligence gathering and automates tasks, working with the Market Intelligence team
• Establish governance frameworks that risk teams trust, aligned to, and extending where needed, existing governance and risk frameworks
• Model effective AI use in your own work

• Drive Salesforce adoption and data quality across US partners and MBD teams, working with the global Salesforce CRM team
• Create dashboards and KPIs for leadership visibility, using global definitions and reporting standards where they exist
• Partner with MBD Global Operations; share learnings and feedback
• Oversee, coach and mentor US-based members of the Global CRM team
• Optimize Budget & Performance
• Manage US MBD budget with clear ROI tracking
• Build measurement frameworks for events, sponsorships, and initiatives, leveraging existing measurement approaches, with US-specific additions where required
• Establish quarterly business reviews with data-driven insights
• Streamline workflows and address bottlenecks

Must-Haves:

• Strong operational and project management skills
• Experience with AI tools and tech adoption (Writer AI, Salesforce, or similar)
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to influence change without formal authority
• Comfortable working with partners and senior leadership
• Builder mindset: you like improving, scaling and embedding systems and are equally comfortable leveraging existing platforms or building something new
• Professional services or law firm experience
• Business development or marketing operations background
• Change management experience
• Data analytics skills

• Partnership model: You'll work closely with the US Head of MBD and align with the Global Head of MBD Operations and their teams
• Hands-on transformation: This isn't strategy-only; you'll embed, optimize or build systems and work directly with teams
• Seat at the table: Regular US partner engagement to deliver intelligence and demonstrate value
• AI transformation leadership: Help shape how professional services uses AI for business development

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York and California or reporting to someone in those states, Freshfields is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the States of New York and California and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $250,000 to $300,000.

EEO Statement
Freshfields US LLP is proud to be an equal employment employer. Our policies and practices will be free from unlawful discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, military service, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We strive to promote an atmosphere that encourages equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment.
Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Freshfields US LLP
Freshfields US LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the alternative email address below to contact us about your interest in employment at [email protected] , or you can send your resume to [email protected] , or you can call us at +1-212-277-4000.