Senior Business Development Manager - Litigation

Senior Business Development Manager, Commercial Litigation

Leading International law firm

London

Hybrid working

My client is a leading international law firm with a long‑established City presence and a strong reputation for quality, pragmatism and trusted client relationships. With offices across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the firm combines international reach with a close‑knit, collaborative culture, offering Business Services professionals both global exposure and a genuine sense of belonging.

Business Development is genuinely embedded within the firm and viewed as a strategic partner to the practices, not a support function. The culture is open, collegiate and down‑to‑earth, with an emphasis on trust, accountability and working collaboratively across teams and jurisdictions. Senior BD professionals are given visibility, autonomy and the opportunity to influence direction, supported by engaged leadership, clear strategy and a strong values‑led approach.

The role

My client is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to lead business development activity for its Commercial Litigation practice. This is a high‑profile, partner‑facing role, supporting one of the firm’s largest and most established practice groups and playing a central role in driving growth and market positioning.

The role combines strategic input with hands‑on delivery and includes line management responsibility within the BD team. Working closely with partners, practice leaders and the wider BD leadership, the successful candidate will help shape priorities, build momentum and translate strategy into practical, high‑impact activity.

Role overview

• Act as the BD lead for Commercial Litigation, supporting partners in setting priorities and progressing growth initiatives
• Build strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, providing clear, pragmatic BD advice
• Translate practice and sector plans into focused BD activity, with responsibility for delivery, tracking and outcomes
• Develop and oversee client relationship plans for priority clients, including account management and feedback activity
• Identify cross‑practice opportunities and support more coordinated approaches to client development
• Manage and track BD budgets linked to agreed plans, ensuring transparency and value
• Lead and support pitches, tenders and panel opportunities, producing persuasive, tailored content to deadline
• Oversee directory submissions activity for agreed areas, ensuring consistency, quality and strong messaging
• Support profile‑raising activity including thought leadership, events, awards and market engagement
• Work closely with communications colleagues to align BD priorities with media and external messaging
• Drive continuous improvement in BD processes and ways of working to improve outcomes
• Team leadership
• Line manage and develop members of the Commercial Litigation BD team, maintaining high standards and a strong service mindset
• Coach lawyers where appropriate on BD planning and execution, helping build confidence and capability
• Foster a collaborative, accountable team culture focused on quality and delivery

Person specification

• Senior business development experience within a legal or professional services environment
• Comfortable operating as a trusted advisor to partners while remaining close to delivery
• Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to prioritise effectively and show impact
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail
• Proven experience leading projects and maintaining momentum across complex workstreams
• People management experience is essential, with a supportive and pragmatic leadership style
• Confident, resilient and constructive, able to challenge appropriately and bring new ideas

Equal opportunities

Totum Partners is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Totum Partners is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.