Slaughter and May
Senior Business Development Manager (GSG and Corporate)
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Role Overview
We are recruiting for a dynamic and experienced Senior Business Development Manager to support our Global Sponsors Group, with a particular focus on generating new ideas and driving business development initiatives for this fast-growing offering.
The Global Sponsors Group sits within our wider Corporate practice, and the Senior Business Development Manager will be a member of our Global Client Development team (GCD), which forms part of the Business Development function within the wider Commercial team.
The GCD team works with partners, counsel, and knowledge lawyers to win new business and deliver campaigns and initiatives that support the objectives of the firm and of the Global Sponsors Group. GCD takes an integrated approach to client development, bringing together practice and sector expertise to maintain and grow client relationships.
We are looking for a strategic, client-focused professional who can enhance our market presence, deepen client relationships, and collaborate closely with partners to drive growth in this area. You will work as part of an integrated team with lawyers and the broader Business Development (BD) and Marketing teams to identify opportunities, develop targeted strategies, and articulate our proposition in the market.
Key Responsibilities
The role holder will support dynamic and high-achieving partners. It offers the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of business development activities and will provide a platform for the right candidate to demonstrate their depth of knowledge of the sponsor landscape, as well as their expertise as a seasoned business development professional. In addition, we would welcome candidates who have a strong network across the private capital space and who are keen to attend conferences and events where they can represent the firm and engage in direct BD.
The key responsibilities of this role are set out below, but there may be others which are not listed.
Global Sponsors Group
- Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive business development and marketing strategies that support the growth of the Global Sponsors Group, including working with partners to implement goals from practice reviews, as well as reviewing performance against these goals.
- Client Relationship and Development: Continue to develop the client programme, working closely with partners to strengthen relationships with existing clients to increase share of wallet and identify opportunities to cross-sell.
- Opportunity Spotting: Proactively look for opportunities to win new mandates to grow and diversify the Global Sponsors practice, bringing advanced and well-thought-out ideas to partners.
- Lead Generation: Using data from a variety of sources, identify new leads for the Group. Where appropriate, follow up personally with prospects, take initial meetings, and facilitate introductions for partners.
- Market Knowledge: Maintain and extend knowledge of the private equity market, as well as your understanding of the sponsor landscape, for the benefit of the firm and to inform BD approaches.
- Network and Contacts: Utilise your existing network within the private capital industry, while continuing to develop relationships with fund managers, financial advisers, and other professionals aligned to the sector.
- Pitching and Proposals: Lead on pitches, proposals, and presentations, working closely with partners to ensure tailored and compelling messaging for prospective clients.
- Thought Leadership and Client Issues: Identify pertinent client issues and themes affecting our sponsor audience, making suggestions on topics and hooks for client conversations and/or campaigns.
- Client Development Initiatives: Manage and coordinate client development programmes, including client events, seminars, and thought leadership initiatives, to increase visibility and reinforce the firm’s reputation in the private capital market.
- Market Research and Analysis: In conjunction with our Research and Insight team, conduct in-depth market research to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive activity within Private Equity and the wider Private Capital space. Provide insights and recommendations to partners on emerging business opportunities and trends.
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Corporate
- Partner Relationships: Develop strong individual relationships with corporate partners, supporting their personal BD activities in relation to our sponsor clients.
- Clients and Cross-selling: Identify cross-selling opportunities and the hooks we have across the firm to facilitate introductions and position the firm for work in new areas, e.g. real assets and infrastructure investment.
- Client Relationship Management: Ensure partners’ client relationships benefit from our marketing ecosystem, are included on appropriate distribution and targeting lists, and receive our value-added offering.
- Associate BD: Develop relationships with senior associates in relation to the Global Sponsors offering, supporting their BD activity, encouraging engagement, and providing guidance on best practice.
- Communication: Act as a BD leader and a strong voice within the Corporate practice, proactively updating corporate partners on BD and marketing activities across the Global Sponsors Group.
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Candidate profile
Candidates for this position must have:
- Experience: Minimum 7 years of business development experience, ideally within a professional services environment, with a strong focus on Private Equity and the wider private capital space.
- Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Private Equity market, including market dynamics and emerging trends, and experience working with sponsors and investors is essential.
- Strategic Mindset: Proven ability to develop and implement strategic business development plans that align with broader firm objectives and deliver measurable results.
- Client-Focused: Strong client relationship management skills, with a proven track record of developing and maintaining high-level relationships with senior stakeholders and clients.
- AI Skills: Comfortable using AI-enabled tools to support day-to-day work, with the ability to apply sound judgement and critical thinking when interpreting outputs.
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling pitches, proposals, and presentations, and confidently communicate with senior leadership and partners.
- Collaboration and Leadership: Strong team player with the ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams, collaborate across practice areas, and mentor junior staff.
- Proactive and Results-Driven: A self-starter with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities, solving problems, and driving business development initiatives to achieve tangible outcomes.
- Commercial Awareness: Strong commercial acumen and the ability to understand and respond to client needs.
- Education: A degree in business, marketing, law, or a related field is preferred. An MBA or equivalent qualification is a plus.
We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief, or marital status.
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