Business Development Manager - U.S. Real Estate and Global Infrastructure

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP•New York, NY

39d•$160,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a first-of-its-kind hybrid role at the Firm, sitting at the intersection of U.S. practice-level business development and global clients & markets strategy. The Business Development Manager will drive growth for the U.S. Real Estate practice while advancing the Firm's cross-practice Infrastructure initiative across its major sectors. Reporting to both the Senior Real Estate Business Development Manager and the Clients & Markets Associate Director, the position reflects natural synergies between a number of the Firm's real estate-focused priority client accounts and the broader clients & markets agenda. The successful candidate will work closely with partners and the Global Business Development, Marketing & Communications (BDMC) team to drive industry-focused strategy and execution.

Requirements

As a first-of-its-kind hybrid role, the successful candidate should be comfortable building new processes, navigating ambiguity, and working across multiple reporting lines and stakeholder groups.
5+ years of relevant business development experience in a professional services firm, with a minimum of 2 years in Real Estate or Infrastructure-related legal marketing.
Strong understanding of Real Estate and Infrastructure terminology, deal types, and market dynamics.
A motivated team player who can also serve as the independent business development point person for partners.
Strong time and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines across multiple stakeholders.
Proven experience writing pitches and proposals.
Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize information clearly.
Exceptional attention to detail and a proactive, creative approach to problem-solving.
Experience developing best practices and implementing new processes, including data management, reporting frameworks, or CRM systems.
Demonstrated ability to work across practices and geographies, building internal networks and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Professional manner, with the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Flexibility to work outside regular business hours as needed.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with CRM, experience management, or matter tracking tools (e.g., Foundation, InterAction, or similar platforms) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Drive cross-practice and cross-geography collaboration on Infrastructure work product and initiatives, building internal networks and coordinating client-focused approaches to sector and relationship development.
Build a deep, commercial understanding of clients' businesses, competitive landscapes, and priorities to proactively identify opportunities for revenue and relationship growth.
Take a leading role in developing the strategic direction for the group's industry profile and market presence, identifying and recommending the most impactful conferences, events, campaigns, pitch opportunities, and thought leadership initiatives for the Real Estate and Infrastructure practices, and supporting the execution of those efforts.
Develop pitches, RFP responses, and deal lists, ensuring each is precisely tailored to specific opportunities.
Manage directory and award submissions, maintaining and enhancing credentials to align with strategic goals.
Partner with senior BD team members and practice leadership on cross-selling and client targeting, including initiatives related to the Firm's priority client program, many of which involve clients with a significant Real Estate or Infrastructure focus.
Partner with Practice Group Leaders and others across the Firm to leverage existing tools and systems to track and report on global infrastructure experience in real time, building out processes and frameworks where gaps exist.
Collaborate with the Firm's innovation team to develop an efficient methodology for applying industry tagging to historical matter data, ensuring the Firm's infrastructure experience is accurately captured and searchable.
Develop cross-practice infrastructure marketing collateral—including credentials materials, sector briefings, and thought leadership—that showcases the Firm's integrated capabilities.
Surface client opportunities in the Infrastructure and Real Estate markets by monitoring industry developments, tracking deal flow, and providing timely intelligence and strategic guidance to partners across the Firm.
Coordinate with professional services teams on value-add initiatives—such as client feedback programs and best-practice frameworks—that strengthen long-term client relationships.