Holland & Knight

Business Development Senior Manager - Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, & Securities

Holland & Knight • $176K — $264K *
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant professional certification highly valued.
  • 10+ years of professional experience in business development and/or marketing, preferably in a legal or professional services environment.
  • Enterprise-level strategic thinker with a proven ability to develop and execute growth plans.
  • Exceptional communication skills, including persuasive writing and confident presentation to senior audiences.
  • Demonstrated leadership and people management capabilities, with a focus on talent development and team collaboration.
  • Advanced business and financial acumen, linking business development activities to client growth and revenue opportunities.
  • High level of professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive matters.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and implementation of sophisticated business development plans for assigned Practice Groups.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to Practice Group Leaders, providing strategic counsel on growth opportunities and market positioning.
  • Facilitate business development meetings, ensuring timely follow-through and accountability on action items.
  • Manage budgets for assigned Practice Groups, advising on resource allocation and ROI analysis.
  • Lead the strategy and execution of complex RFPs, pitches, and client presentations.
  • Originate and lead cross-practice initiatives to leverage client relationships for broader opportunities.
  • Direct research on market trends and competitors, translating insights into actionable growth strategies.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, including coverage for domestic partners.
  • Life and AD&D insurance, along with short and long-term disability insurance.
  • Tax-advantaged accounts for healthcare expenses, including FSAs and HSAs.
  • 401(k) with profit sharing and backup dependent care support.
  • Resources for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers.
  • Paid holidays and other paid time off, including parental leave.
Full Job Description
This position can be based in New York or at one of the Firm's offices: Philadelphia, Boston, and Stamford.

General Description:The Business Development Senior Manager for the Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions & Securities ("CMAS") Section serves as the strategic, business development lead for assigned Practice Groups, including in the Northeast, within the CMAS Section. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, and with support from the Director of Business Development for the Section as well as others in the Marketing Department, the Business Development Senior Manager works closely with the Practice Group and Team leaders on growth strategy, marketing positioning and client and prospective client development efforts and is accountable for translating Firm, Section and Practice Group objectives into measurable business development results. The role leads complex, high-impact initiatives, anticipates opportunities and risks, influences senior attorneys and stakeholders and drives coordinated execution across offices and practices. The Business Development Senior Manager supervises, develops and mentors team members and provides leadership across the department by establishing best practices, strengthening collaboration and advancing Firm-wide priorities.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:
  • Strategic Development: Lead the development, implementation, measurement and continuous refinement of sophisticated business development plans for assigned Practice Groups. Establish priorities, measurable objectives, target markets and accountability frameworks aligned with the Firm, Section and Practice Group goals.
  • Practice Group Leader Partnership: Serve as a senior, trusted advisor to assigned Practice Group Leaders, and other senior attorneys. Independently provide strategic counsel on growth opportunities, market positioning, client and prospective client targeting, competitive differentiation, investments decisions and attorney business development.
  • Practice Group Engagement: Lead the business development agenda for assigned practice group and team meetings, including setting priorities, presenting recommendations and performance insights, facilitating decisions, and ensuring timely follow-through and accountability.
  • Budget Management: Develop, recommend and manage budgets for assigned Practice Groups, including forecasting, prioritization, resource allocation, expenditure overview and ROI analysis. Advise senior leadership on investments and reallocation based on strategic value and performance. Practice Group and Team budgets.
  • Business Development Execution: Lead the strategy, development and delivery of high-value and complex RFPs, pitches, proposals and client presentations. Shape pursuit strategy, coordinate cross-functional teams, challenge assumptions, and coach attorneys on messaging, presentation, and follow-up.
  • Cross-Selling: Originate and lead cross-practice, cross-office, and cross-industry initiatives that convert practice strengths and client relationships into broader opportunities. Facilitate introductions, coordinate account strategies, and track outcomes.
  • Market & Competitive Intelligence: Direct and synthesize research on market trends, industry developments, clients, targets, and competitors. Translate insights into actionable recommendations, growth opportunities, risk considerations, and differentiated market strategies.
  • Directory & Awards Oversight: Set strategy and provide senior-level oversight for directory, ranking, and awards submissions for assigned practices. Prioritize opportunities, strengthen positioning and evidence, and ensure consistently high-quality submissions.
  • Collateral & Content Strategy: Set the content strategy and oversee development of marketing collateral, practice descriptions, brochures, deal and case lists, website content, and other materials. Ensure accuracy, differentiation, quality, and alignment with firm and practice positioning.
  • Public Relations & Visibility: Partner with PR and Communications leadership to develop integrated visibility strategies for significant matters, market developments, thought leadership, and attorney profiles. Counsel practice leaders on priorities, messaging, and reputational considerations.
  • CRM & Database Oversight: Champion disciplined use of CRM, experience, pipeline, and engagement data for assigned practices. Partner with designated professionals to improve data quality, relationship intelligence, activity tracking, and reporting that supports leadership decisions.
  • Event Strategy: Develop and oversee strategic programs for events, sponsorships, seminars, webinars, and client engagement. Evaluate opportunities, define objectives and audiences, coordinate execution across offices, and assess outcomes and return on investment.
  • Team Leadership: Lead, supervise, develop, and mentor Managers, Coordinators, Assistants, and other team members, as assigned. Set expectations, delegate effectively, balance workloads, provide ongoing feedback and coaching, conduct performance reviews, support succession and professional development, and foster a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive team environment.
  • Expected to maintain a regular and predictable work schedule and full attention to and engagement in work activities on behalf of the firm during business hours unless otherwise approved or required by applicable law.
  • Special projects and duties as assigned.


Required Skills:
  • Enterprise-level strategic thinker who can independently develop, prioritize, and execute growth plans that deliver measurable results.
  • Advanced business and financial acumen, including the ability to connect business development investments and activities to client growth, revenue opportunity, and strategic objectives.
  • Exceptional communication skills, including executive-level advising, active listening, persuasive writing, facilitation, and confident presentation to senior audiences.
  • Demonstrated leadership and people management capabilities, including the ability to set direction, influence without authority, delegate, coach, develop talent, and lead through change.
  • Exceptional interpersonal, judgment, and relationship-building skills, with a record of establishing credibility and trusted partnerships with senior attorneys and firm leadership.
  • Ability to operate autonomously, make sound decisions with incomplete information, and manage multiple complex, high-impact priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • High level of professionalism, discretion, accountability, and sound judgment when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
  • Advanced consulting, presentation, negotiation, and executive-influence skills.
  • Innovative and solutions-oriented mindset, with the confidence to challenge established approaches, champion new ideas, and drive adoption.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or Microsoft 365; experience with CRM (InterAction), proposal (Qorus), experience-management (Foundation), and business intelligence platforms preferred.


Required Qualifications & Education:
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant professional certification highly valued.
  • 10+ years of professional experience in business development and/or marketing, preferable in a legal or professional services environment.


Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
  • Moderate or advanced keyboard usage.
This position may be filled in multiple locations. In accordance with applicable Pay Transparency Laws, the pay range(s) for this position are listed below. These ranges may not be applicable to other locations. An individual's actual compensation will depend on the individual's qualifications and experience. In addition to the base compensation, Holland & Knight provides bonus opportunities and an exceptional benefits package.Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York (City): $176,000.00 - $264,000.00 per year

Benefits: Our goal is to promote a work environment in which individuals have access to the resources they need to be their best both professionally and personally, which includes resources that encourage individuals to focus on their health and well-being.

Below are the benefits we offer: comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs), dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners; life and AD&D insurance; short and long term disability insurance; tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs; FSAs for dependent care; health advocacy services; behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members; 401(k); profit sharing; backup dependent care; senior care planning support; resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers; and paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents.

About Holland & Knight

Holland & Knight is a law firm with more than 1,400 lawyers in 27 offices throughout the world. The firm provides legal services in various areas, including litigation, business, real estate, and government. Holland & Knight has been recognized as one of the top law firms in the United States by various publications, including The American Lawyer and U.S. News & World Report. The firm was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
Learn more about Holland & Knight
Size
1,400 employees
Industry
Founded
1968

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