Business Development Manager

The Business Development Manager acts as a trusted partner to Jackson Lewis offices and the firm’s Restaurants industry group, driving strategic growth through client development, marketing initiatives, and external communications. This role coordinates closely with firm leadership and the Marketing and Business Development (MBD) team to support articulated business goals across multiple locations.

Role Overview

Based in New York, NY (onsite), the Business Development Manager supports the NYC, White Plains, Long Island, Albany, Philadelphia, and Berkeley Heights offices and the Restaurants industry group. Working with firm leadership, Regional Coordinators (RCs), Office Managing Principals (OMPs), Office Business Development Liaisons (OBDLs), and the MBD team, the Manager develops and implements programs that strengthen client development, marketing, and external communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary business development partner for assigned offices by building and maintaining trusted relationships with OMPs, OBDLs, practice and industry leaders, partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Maintain a consistent communication cadence with office leadership and lawyers through individual meetings, planning sessions, and business development updates.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of each office’s clients, capabilities, talent, market position, and growth priorities, and translate those insights into actionable office-specific business development plans.
• Drive awareness of, and participation in, firmwide, regional, and office-specific business development initiatives, including identifying barriers to engagement, gathering feedback, and improving program adoption.
• Connect lawyers and opportunities across assigned offices, practices, and industry groups to support cross-selling, collaboration, referrals, and sharing of proven approaches.
• Partner with the Proposal Team and Strategic Intelligence Team as needed to support pitches and proposals, including providing strategic and client context, coordinating attorney input, identifying relevant experience and credentials, and supporting follow-up.
• Use CRM data and other metrics to evaluate business development activity, pipeline development, participation, and outcomes; provide regular reporting and actionable recommendations to office and firm leadership.
• Coach lawyers individually and in groups to strengthen business development skills, grow internal and external networks, generate leads and referrals, and advance opportunities.
• Provide marketing and business development support for lateral attorneys joining assigned offices and groups, including onboarding plans, management, and progress tracking.
• Collaborate with the Events team on event strategy, including mailing list development, post-event or conference follow-up, ROI evaluation, and process improvement.
• Stay current on legal, business, industry, and regional market trends and share actionable insights with lawyers, office leadership, and the broader firm.

Requirements

• Proactive relationship management with demonstrated ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with senior leaders and professionals across multiple offices and business units.
• Strong consultative and influencing skills, including experience generating enthusiasm for and increasing participation in business development initiatives.
• Ability to understand differing office cultures, priorities, and market dynamics while aligning stakeholders around broader organizational objectives.
• Experience developing and executing office-, market-, or region-specific business development plans in a law firm or other professional-services environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel among assigned offices if required to maintain a visible presence and support relationships with office leadership and lawyers.
• Strategic approach to evaluating external market factors and internal capabilities to identify priorities and points of differentiation.
• Solid understanding of legal industry financials and KPIs.
• Collaborative, team-focused, and positive attitude, with excellent written and verbal communication and strong judgment in working with firm leaders and lawyers.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment, with strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including editing and proofreading.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; database experience preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with social media platforms.

Technologies

• CRM data
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Social media platforms

Compensation

• Salary: USD 140,000 - 155,000 per year for the New York City Metro area.
• Bonuses: Annual bonuses eligibility.
• Determination: Actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Account
• Firm-paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Employee assistance program and other firm benefits

Education and Experience

• Minimum 7 years of business development and/or marketing related experience in a law firm or other professional service.
• Education: A college degree is required.
• Preferred: An advanced degree.