Business Development Manager; Financial Industry Group Hybrid

Firm Information

Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long‑standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go‑to partner for complex disputes, transactions and regulatory matters.

US Job Description

Our team of 3,000 people (including more than 1,600 lawyers) across more than 30 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia operate as one global partnership to drive progress for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.

The Business Development Manager plays a leading role in supporting the FIG partners in the U.S. and serves as a key contributor to the execution of the group’s business development and marketing initiatives. This role is critical in relentlessly driving marketing and BD initiatives forward, proactively bringing new business ideas to the partners and working across FIG to drive revenue growth.

The primary focus will be on revenue growth and raising the profile of the group in the U.S. and, by extension, globally. The successful candidate will manage two members of the team (both U.S. based) and work very closely with the other members of the FIG BD team based in London.

• Regularly interact with Industry Group Leaders and key attorneys on FIG BD activities.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with lawyers.
• Manage, coach and develop two members of the FIG BD team.

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of FIG’s business and clients.
• Monitor financial industry trends and advise on strategies to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

• Drive brand positioning efforts, including managing strategic conference sponsor ships, client presentations, seminars, and webinars.
• Develop and execute cross‑selling efforts, BD, and profile‑raising initiatives in line with the firm’s strategic objectives.

• Prepare tailored, compelling pitches and responses for new business opportunities.
• Oversee the development of practice‑related pitch materials, such as profiles, experience lists, and case studies.
• Project‑manage the drafting of pitches and proposals, collaborating with FIG BD colleagues and other practice groups.

• Use internal and external databases to conduct market research and client analysis.
• Identify industry trends, new business opportunities, and synergies with other practice and/or industry areas.
• Perform in‑depth analysis of clients to develop strategies for cross‑selling and enhancing key strategic client relationships.

• Collaborate with internal resources to find synergies and assist attorneys in lead generation and pursuits.
• Facilitate the integration of lateral partners and leverage the firm’s capabilities for new client opportunities.

• Track and report on the return on investment for major BD expenditures.
• Maintain contributions and input related to attorney experience and client information in business development systems including CRM and Foundation.

• Oversee/manage submissions for major awards and legal directories.
• Ensure all marketing communications channels convey consistent messages about the group and its experience.
• Work with communications and media staff to identify and pursue PR opportunities in key legal trade and industry publications and industry surveys.

• Coordinate and plan practice profile‑raising activities, including conferences, seminars, and sponsor ships.
• Ensure budget adherence and ROI analysis for these activities.

• Assist with other marketing initiatives and responsibilities as required.

Job duties and responsibilities included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job duties and responsibilities at any…