Key Responsibilities and DeliverablesThis is a varied role requiring excellent teamworking and communication skills as well as the ability to build strong, trusted relationships with senior internal stakeholders and client contacts, and to work collaboratively with brand, marketing, communications, research and business development professionals across our global firm.
We are seeking a Business Development Senior Manager to guide our strategic business development efforts from our new Boston office, focused on the Private Capital and Life Sciences sectors. Both Private Capital and Life Sciences are key sectors within Freshfields, lying at the very heart of our growth plans for the firm, underpinned by the opening of our Boston office in 2025. The successful candidate will work closely with our leading Private Capital and Life Sciences partners across the US to identify client issues, map out market trends and create an engaging program of client development activities to drive revenue in these practice areas on a global basis and with special focus on the Boston market.
This role will be part of the firm's global MBD function and will report to the US Head of MBD, working as an integral member of the global sector MBD team.
With this context, the Business Development Senior Manager - Private Capital & Life Sciences will be responsible for working collaboratively with Boston-based partners and key partners in other US offices, as well as with colleagues across the Global Marketing & Business Development team to:
1. Strategic Business Development & Planning- Lead and support the development and execution of a focused business development strategy for the Private Capital and Life Sciences sectors in Boston, aligned with the firm's US and global priorities.
- Work with Private Capital partners to identify the specific challenges and opportunities in the private equity, venture/growth, and broader private capital ecosystem, and translate these into concrete client development initiatives and revenue-generation plans.
- Work with Life Sciences partners across the firm to identify the specific challenges and opportunities in the life sciences, biotechnology, medtech and related venture/growth areas and translate these into concrete client development initiatives and revenue-generation plans.
- Actively contribute Boston and New England market intelligence and trends into the firm's global MBD initiatives, ensuring local developments inform our broader sector strategy.
- Support the creation and regular review of an annual BD and marketing plan (including targets, key accounts, campaigns, and events) with clear objectives, timelines and metrics for success.
2. Client Development, Targeting & Pipeline Management- Work with partners to develop, implement and track client targeting initiatives, including key account plans for priority clients, funds, and sponsors in the Boston market and beyond.
- Use CRM and marketing technology tools to track key relationships, monitor pipeline activity, and generate actionable insights that support strategic business opportunities and cross-selling across practice groups and geographies.
- Map relationships across target organizations and the broader market, identifying decision makers, influencers, and alumni connections to support partner outreach and relationship-building.
- Support partners in preparing for client meetings (briefing notes, talking points, follow-up actions) and ensure systematic follow-up, including entry of activities and opportunities into the firm's CRM.
3. Pitching, Proposals & Panel Submissions- Lead the development of compelling credentials, capability statements, proposals, and pitches to respond to fast-turnaround opportunities, strategic panel appointments, and RFPs in the Private Capital and Life Sciences spaces.
- Work closely with partners, lawyers, pricing, and other business services teams to tailor messaging, differentiate the firm's value proposition, and ensure client-centric, outcome-focused materials.
- Maintain and continually enhance a library of sector-specific credentials, experience lists, and case studies, ensuring Boston matters and lawyers are accurately reflected.
- Coordinate and support the firm's relevant legal directory and award submissions (e.g., Chambers, Legal 500), including matter selection, content drafting and referees tracking.
4. Market Positioning, Thought Leadership & Campaigns- Help develop sector-specific content and campaigns to increase engagement with key clients and prospects and to enhance the personal brands of leading attorneys and the firm's reputation in Boston and globally.
- Plan and execute thought leadership initiatives (such as client alerts, market reports, and topical briefings) in collaboration with partners, knowledge lawyers, and communications colleagues, ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery.
- Support and, where appropriate, lead the planning and delivery of client events, roundtables, sponsorships, and conference participation that raise the profile of the firm's Boston practice groups and foster deeper client relationships in the region.
- Work with research and analytics colleagues to conduct market, competitor, and client analyses that inform go-to-market strategies, sector campaigns, and client conversations.
5. Collaboration Across MBD, Marketing & the Firm- Build trusted relationships with MBD colleagues across sectors, practices, and regions, and actively contribute to a "one team" global mindset in the support of priority clients and opportunities.
- Partner closely with brand, marketing, digital, and communications teams to ensure that the Private Capital and Life Sciences practices are integrated into firmwide campaigns, digital channels, and media efforts.
- Help manage and continuously improve the internal structure and tools for the sector, including practice groups' SharePoint or Teams sites, capability statements, credentials, and internal folders, ensuring information is current, organized, and easy to access.
- Support the development and enhancement of sector and practice group data, including liaising with the CRM and data teams and relevant Executive Assistants to improve processes and increase data sharing and accuracy.
6. Stakeholder Engagement & Internal Communication- Build strong, trusted relationships with Boston-based lawyers, as well as key partners in other US offices and globally, serving as a proactive advisor on BD and marketing opportunities.
- Provide regular updates to partners on BD initiatives, pipeline status, campaign performance, and market developments, including concise reporting on key metrics and outcomes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement in the firm's approach to BD, including proactive sharing of knowledge, data, and best practices through centralized tools and forums.
Key Qualifications (skills/experience)Required- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, ideally in business, marketing, communications, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience in business development and/or marketing in a professional services environment; law firm or financial services sector experience strongly preferred.
- Strong communication skills, with attention to detail in writing.
- Demonstrated experience supporting sector-focused and/or practice-focused business development initiatives, ideally involving corporate, financial institutions, or private capital clients.
- Proven track record in preparing and managing pitches, proposals, RFP responses, and client presentations for sophisticated institutional clients.
- Strong project management experience with evidence of successfully managing multiple concurrent initiatives, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment and meet strict, often quickly evolving deadlines.
- Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
Strongly Preferred- Experience working with private equity, venture capital, growth equity, or other private capital clients, with asset management/financial institutions more broadly, or with the life sciences sector.
- Knowledge of or experience in the Boston legal, financial, life sciences, or private capital markets. Familiarity or experience working with the life sciences sector would be considered an asset.
- Experience using CRM systems and BD/marketing technology platforms such as Salesforce, Foundation, as well as Generative AI tools.
- Familiarity with databases such as PitchBook, Preqin, Refinitiv, Mergermarket, Capital IQ, or comparable market intelligence tools.
Skills and Competencies- Strategic and analytical thinker, able to interpret market and client information and translate it into practical BD actions and partner-ready recommendations.
- Strong emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the confidence to interact with and influence partners and senior stakeholders while maintaining diplomacy and discretion.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with meticulous attention to detail in drafting and editing client-facing materials.
- Highly collaborative team player who builds strong internal networks and works effectively across offices, practices, and business services teams.
- Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and tight deadlines without compromising quality.
- Comfort with data, reporting, and use of CRM and marketing technology to monitor activity, measure impact, and inform decision-making.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and resourceful, with a natural curiosity and dedication to ongoing learning and professional growth as a well-rounded BD practitioner.
Travel / Work Environment- Occasional travel may be required to other US offices or to client and industry events, consistent with business needs.
- The role operates in a fast-paced, collaborative professional services environment, requiring flexibility to work additional hours as necessary to meet deadlines and support time-sensitive client opportunities.
For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York and California, Freshfields is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the States of New York and California and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $175,000 to $225,000.
