Description
The Senior Business Development Manager – London will play a pivotal role in strengthening the firm’s visibility, reputation and networks across London’s legal and business community.
UK Job Description
The Senior Business Development Manager – London will play a pivotal role in strengthening the firm’s visibility, reputation and networks across London’s legal and business community.
Working closely with the London Managing Partner (LMP), London partners and the regional BD leadership team, the role will focus on delivering initiatives that build client connections, support growth in the London market and ensure the firm has a strong presence at high‑profile events and forums.
This is a hands‑on, client‑focused role requiring strong relationship management skills, excellent knowledge of the London market and the ability to deliver initiatives that make a measurable impact, while also contributing to wider firm and sector growth priorities.
The Firm
Reed Smith is a global law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 30 offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.
Operating as one global partnership, we represent leading international businesses from FTSE 100 corporations to mid‑market and emerging enterprises; advising clients on cross‑border transactions, international commercial disputes and regulation. We specialise in industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, energy and natural resources, entertainment and media, shipping and real estate.
We all share a common culture, with core values supporting the firm’s commitment to add value, achieve excellence, and promote professional development. London is our largest office with approximately 700 people, including over 350 fee earners across the full range of commercial practice areas. Consistent with the firm’s strategy, the office has grown significantly over the past five years. Key to this growth has been our ability to successfully integrate new hires into our business and give them a platform to flourish. We place a huge significance on listening to our people and incorporating their ideas wherever possible.
Responsibilities
Client Development and Market Growth
- Support LMP and the London partners in deepening relationships with key London‑based clients, prospects and industry stakeholders.
- Implement client development activities aligned with firmwide and sector priorities, with a clear London market lens.
- Partner with Industry and Practice Group BD colleagues to identify opportunities for cross‑selling and collaboration.
- Leverage insights on London business and legal trends to guide BD activity and deliver ROI.
London Market Events and Profile Raising
- Work with the London Events team to ensure the firm has visibility at priority industry events, conferences, and forums.
- Equip the LMP with briefing materials, talking points and follow‑up support for key meetings and engagements.
- Collaborate with PR and communications colleagues to raise the profile of the London office and leadership in local media and professional networks.
- Champion thought‑leadership initiatives and targeted campaigns that showcase the London office’s strengths and successes across the firm’s global platform.
Collaboration and Integration
- Act as a connector between London partners, the Events team and the global BD network.
- Ensure London activities are aligned with regional and global strategies, contributing to wider firm growth initiatives.
- Share best practices and client intelligence across teams to strengthen the impact of London initiatives.
Innovation and Digital Enablement
- Leverage CRM, analytics and digital marketing tools to monitor BD pipelines and enhance client engagement.
- Support innovative approaches to client development, including digital campaigns, webinars and sector‑focused insights.
Leadership and Team Contribution
- Line‑manage and mentor members of the London BD and Events team, ensuring initiatives are client‑focused and high quality.
- Contribute actively to regional and global BD programmes, ensuring London priorities are represented and delivered.
- Foster a collaborative, client‑centric culture within the London office.
Key Skills, Qualifications And Experience
- 7+ year’s experience in business development within a leading law firm or professional services environment.
- Demonstrable success in developing and delivering BD strategies that achieve measurable results.
- Strong knowledge of London’s legal and business landscape, with established networks in target industries preferred.
- Proven ability to build trust and influence at senior stakeholder level, including partners and leadership teams.
- Excellent project management, organisational, and communication skills.
- Commercially astute, client‑focused, and confident working in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.
- Proficiency with CRM systems, analytics tools, and digital marketing platforms.
Key Attributes
- Strategic thinker with commercial instincts and strong business judgement.
- Confident, collaborative, and highly organised.
- Skilled communicator with excellent executive presence.
- Proactive, resilient, and driven to deliver outcomes.
At Reed Smith, we welcome direct applications either in response to one of our advertised vacancies or on a speculative basis. Please click on the “Apply Now” button to submit your details and we will be in touch.
No search firms/agencies please.
Reed Smith’s success depends heavily on the effective utilisation of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran’s status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.
We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long‑term health conditions. If you have a disability or a long‑term health condition and require adjustments to be made for you within the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Recruitment team. For more information on our approach to diversity and inclusion please visit our website.
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