Business Development Manager, Dispute Resolution - 12 month FTC - from January 2026

The role

Our Dispute Resolution practice comprises 17 partners and a further 32 fee earners. Our focus is clearly defined and is on Commercial Dispute resolution (particularly on Civil Fraud, International Arbitration and contentious insolvency), Business Crime and Regulatory, Media Litigation and Restructuring and Insolvency and International Construction.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Business Development Manager (BDM) to provide support to our Dispute Resolution department and sub-teams on a 12 month FTC maternity cover from early January 2026.  You will have a proactive approach to your work and have strong influencing skills in order to advise effectively at this level.  The principal role will be in developing and implementing a business development strategy aimed at building client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, helping to win new work and positioning and profiling the firm in our chosen markets.

The role sits within the Business Development & Marketing team but will also work very closely with the Dispute Resolution Department management team. You will have people management responsibility for an Executive and will work closely with other members of the team who provide BD, marketing, communications, digital, CRM and events support.

In addition to leading on the BD activities of these groups, you will also provide support and as required lead on agreed firmwide BD projects.

Role responsibility

• Providing strategic and advisory support to develop robust annual BD plans (objectives, tactics and budgets) the various disputes Go to market (GTM) groups e.g. CDR, Business Crime, International Construction and Restructuring & Insolvency.  
• Identify opportunities for profitable growth via cross-selling and new business initiatives e.g. explore and develop relationships with key referrer organisations and individuals willing and able to introduce clients that meet our selection criteria.
• Focus on building the firm’s profile and brand in key markets in the development of targeted and well executed thought leadership ideas, campaigns, PR, award/directory submissions and events, measuring ROI.
• Providing support for responses to tender, ad-hoc pitching and provision of high-quality credentials, presentations and promotional collateral as part of the sales process.
• Development of strong effective credible relationships with Partners and practice/sector group based on knowledge of the Firm, the wider practices/sectors and markets.
• Strengthen the business development and marketing capabilities by providing a coaching resource to Partners to help them focus on the right opportunities, develop their marketing and selling skills in order develop their creativity and facilitate their strategy to the implementation phase.
• Attend industry events, conferences, and networking functions to establish the firm's presence and promote the brands visibility and opportunities.

Contributing to BD

• Enhancing the reputation of the BD team within the Firm for its professionalism and for the strategic and distinctive value it provides.
• Defining and assisting in the development of the wider marketing and business development plan for cross-firm initiatives.
• Assisting the BD & Marketing Director in leading agreed cross-firm projects.
• Be seen as a role model in the BD team.

Leadership & Management

• Provide oversight and direction to the BD Executive using coaching, mentoring and other development initiatives.
• Empower your Executive to take responsibility for their goals. Delegate tasks at the appropriate level and expect accountability and regular feedback at all times.
• Maintain transparent communication with all team members using department and team meetings, as well as regular one-to-ones.

About you

You will be able to demonstrate;

• Strong BD credentials ideally developed within a law firm and ideally with experience of working within a Dispute Resolution focussed practice.
• Confidence and gravitas to encourage business development best practice 
• A creative, proactive and enthusiastic approach with the confidence to bring new ideas to the table.
• The ability to spot business development opportunities early and to deliver outcomes in collaboration with others.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills, tenacity, adaptability and self-motivation.
• A strong track record of client development.
• Experience in pitch / proposal preparation and one-to-one coaching.
• Good writing skills, able to write persuasive and succinct prose.
• Proven experience of developing and coaching more junior colleagues.
• Demonstrable network of Dispute Resolution contacts including advisers to the sector, influencers, third-party referrers and buyers of legal services (preferred).

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.