Business Development Manager, Securities and Financial Services
About The Position
The Business Development Manager sits within WilmerHale’s Clients and Markets group and works primarily with the Securities and Financial Services (SFS) Department. The role supports SFS and the firm’s legal departments in identifying and pursuing opportunities to win new business and expand existing client relationships, and in planning and executing strategic business development and marketing activities. Working directly with partners and senior lawyers across SFS, the manager assesses business development needs, develops tailored strategies, and leads their execution. The role supports all SFS practices, with a focus on Financial Institutions, Investment Management, Securities Litigation and Enforcement, and Digital Assets. It acts as a strategic advisor to partners, applying market insight, data analysis, and executional leadership to support practice and client growth. The position also helps supervise, mentor, and develop business development team members. WilmerHale is a full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers across 12 offices in the United States and Europe. The firm describes its culture as values-driven and committed to quality legal and client services, diversity, collaboration, and collegiality.
Requirements
- A minimum of eight to ten years of experience in legal business development, marketing, or professional services.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Strong strategic, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working directly with partners and senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to translate data, market insight, and client intelligence into actionable business development strategies.
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting regulated industries or financial services practices.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a trusted business development advisor to partners and work with practice leaders and partners to develop and implement strategic business development plans and activities.
- Support practice- and partner-level business planning, including identifying growth priorities, target clients, and cross-selling opportunities across practices and geographies.
- Lead selected pitches, proposals, and RFP responses in collaboration with attorneys and subject-matter experts.
- Build knowledge of SFS practices, clients, industries, and regulatory developments to identify growth and cross-selling opportunities.
- Lead the planning and execution of selected client events, sponsorships, seminars, and other business development programs.
- Partner with attorneys on key client and priority client initiatives, including client plans, relationship mapping, and client-specific growth strategies.
- Oversee legal directory and award submissions for SFS practices as needed.
- Collaborate with attorneys and marketing communications colleagues to identify and advance thought leadership opportunities, including articles, alerts, webinars, and speaking engagements.
- Support lateral partner integration by developing tailored business development plans and facilitating internal connectivity.
- Assist with managing business development budgets and tracking spending.
- Help supervise, mentor, and develop business development team members, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture and supporting career development, skill building, and advancement opportunities.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Profit-sharing options
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
