Business Development Manager, Corporate

The role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Development Manager (BDM) to provide strategic and advisory support to our Corporate Practice, while also driving the firmwide approach to the Retail & Leisure sector. The successful candidate will adopt a proactive and solutions-focused approach, demonstrating strong influencing skills to advise effectively at partner level and contribute to the firm’s growth objectives.

The role will provide strategic and advisory business development support to shape the future direction of the Corporate Practice: Corporate Transaction Services, IP & Commercial and Employment & Immigration teams, ensuring these areas are positioned for growth and aligned with market opportunities. The role will deliver firmwide strategic and tactical support for the Retail & Leisure sector, driving sector-led initiatives, client engagement, and cross-practice collaboration to strengthen the firm’s presence and reputation in this key market.

In addition to leading on the BD activities of these teams and sector, the role will also provide support and take responsibility for agreed firmwide BD projects. These may include initiatives such as managing key client relationships, improving pitch and tender processes, and driving cross-firm targeting strategies. The specific projects will be agreed as required following further discussion with the BD & Marketing Director.

The role sits within the Business Development & Marketing team but works very closely with the Corporate Practice and it's three teams to ensure alignment on strategic priorities. It will have line management responsibility for one BD Assistant and will collaborate with other team members who provide expertise in business development, marketing communications, digital, and CRM support, ensuring a coordinated approach to delivering impactful initiatives across the firm.

Role responsibility

• Drive strategic business development for the three corporate practice teams (Corporate Transaction Services, IP & Commercial, and Employment & Immigration) by identifying growth opportunities, developing innovative initiatives, and presenting ideas to partners that not only support long-term practice development and market positioning, but also directly contribute to winning new clients and generating revenue.
• Lead the firmwide Retail & Leisure sector team in delivering strategically targeted, and well-executed initiatives, including thought leadership generation (such as an annual Retail report), sector-focused campaigns and events, and targeted growth strategies aimed at winning new clients and strengthening market position.
• Build strong, credible relationships with Partners and practice/sector groups by demonstrating deep knowledge of the firm and its specialisms. The ability to influence, negotiate, and persuade - having established trust and credibility - is essential to driving collaboration and securing buy-in for strategic initiatives.
• Develop robust annual BD plans and budgets for Corporate Practice and Retail & Leisure, incorporating the full spectrum of BD and marketing activities - such as events, conferences, thought leadership, and client development initiatives - while identifying new market opportunities with existing clients, intermediaries, and prospects to drive growth and strengthen relationships.
• Provide coaching to Partners and Associates to help them focus on the right opportunities, develop marketing and selling skills, and move strategies into implementation and personal BD plans.
• Lead and continuously improve the firm’s approach to tenders, ad-hoc pitches, and credentials as part of the sales process, ensuring best practice is embedded to maximise win rates and overall success. Drive innovation in pitch strategy, messaging, and delivery to strengthen competitiveness and secure new business.

Contributing to BD

• Enhance the reputation of the BD team within the firm for professionalism and strategic value.
• Define and help shape the firm's wider strategic specialisms by developing cross-firm initiatives, ensuring BD acts as the connector. Facilitate collaboration among BDMs to create a joined-up approach that maximises opportunities, drives cross-practice engagement, and supports the development of new client relationships.
• Support the BD & Marketing Director in leading agreed firmwide BD projects as required.

Leadership & Management

• Provide oversight and direction to the BD Assistant through coaching, mentoring, and development initiatives.
• Empower the BD Assistant to take responsibility for their goals; delegate tasks appropriately and maintain accountability.
• Maintain transparent communication through team meetings and one-to-ones.
• Take initiative to identify and address underperformance using appropriate channels.

About you

Ideally you will be able to demonstrate:

• Strong business development credentials, ideally gained within a law firm and with experience across the relevant practice areas/sector.
• Confidence and gravitas to influence and encourage best practice.
• Creativity, proactivity and enthusiasm - bringing new ideas to the table.
• Ability to spot opportunities early and deliver outcomes collaboratively.
• Excellent communication skills, able to present ideas clearly and persuasively across all levels.
• Strong writing skills for persuasive and succinct content.
• Proven track record in driving client development and delivering successful pitch and proposal strategies that have resulted in measurable growth and new business wins.
• Experience in developing and coaching junior colleagues and lawyers in developing personal BD plans.
• Proven experience in line management in a previous role.
• Team player who is relationship driven, analytical, tenacious, adaptable, ambitious and self-motivated.
• Educated to degree level and/or holding a Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification.

At Howard Kennedy we believe that everyone deserves the space to thrive. We’re committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience that reflects the diversity of both our people and our clients.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, and we’re committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and accessible to all.

We understand that every candidate’s needs are different If there’s anything we can do to make your application journey more comfortable— whether for interviews, assessments, or onboarding—please let us know. We’ll work with you to remove any barriers and ensure our recruitment process is comfortable for you. 

Contact our recruitment team at recruitment@howardkennedy.com to discuss any support you might need.

Agency Introductions

Please note that we are not accepting applications via agencies for this role at this time. Before sharing any named candidate CVs, please contact your recruitment representative. If any named CVs are sent from agencies without approval from our recruitment team, they will not be deemed valid introductions, and no agency fee will be paid.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual holiday
• Permanent Health Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Interest free Season Ticket Loan
• Private Healthcare
• Pension Scheme
• Staff Introductory Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

About us

With almost 200 lawyers in one location, we ensure our clients have the right team to help them get from where they are to where they want to be. We advise major corporates and institutions as well as entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises which are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. As well as our significant business law capability, we are one of only a few London-based law firms with a large private wealth offering. Our clients find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.

Whether you are an ambitious and talented individual wanting to hit the ground running from day one, or an established professional looking for a new opportunity, Howard Kennedy is the firm where you can really make it happen.

We have earned a strong reputation for our exceptional and uniquely talented people who between them deliver outstanding results for clients. In a firm of our size, our strong team dynamic creates a thriving culture of creativity and entrepreneurialism. Howard Kennedy is a pragmatic and non-hierarchical environment where success is shared, and you are proactively encouraged to thrive at your own pace.

Our distinctive culture is built on fairness and respect. Guided by the firm’s values of talk straight, think smart and be yourself, everyone in the firm holds equal value, and everyone plays their role in supporting, encouraging and inspiring colleagues to do their best work.

At the same time, we recognise and reward individualism, celebrating the diversity of our people and supporting them to grow their practice and drive their own career advancement.

As well as client work, there is opportunity to broaden your horizons at the firm with fulfilling pro bono and charity projects. We have a regular social calendar full of wellbeing activities, charitable and social events too.