Business Development Manager - Energy

FBT Gibbons LLP•Louisville, KY

About The Position

FBT Gibbons LLP is seeking a Business Development Manager to work with Practice Groups, Industry Teams, cross-functional departments, and firm leadership to create and implement revenue-driving business development strategies for the Energy Industry team and infrastructure-related practices and initiatives, including data centers and public-private partnerships (P3s). The role covers strategic planning, execution of tactics, budget planning, and identification, tracking, and reporting of key performance indicators. The position requires an understanding of energy-sector market trends and client demands across oil, gas and minerals, utilities, renewables, and infrastructure projects, as well as experience with infrastructure-related practices such as project finance and P3s. Experience in a B2B professional services or legal environment is required. The position may be based in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, or Pittsburgh, and requires travel across the firm’s national footprint, including some overnight travel. The Business Development Manager manages a portfolio spanning the Energy Industry Team, related practice groups and initiatives, and key client teams. The manager makes decisions on business development priorities, resources, and tactics in consultation with firm and team leadership; develops and executes strategies; coordinates work across departments; oversees assisting business development staff; and contributes to departmental leadership, budgeting, and analysis. The role reports to no specified position in the posting. The firm offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. For applicants physically based in Denver, the estimated annual salary range is $105,000–$140,000. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship. The application deadline is October 16, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least five years of experience in a B2B professional services or legal setting.
Strong strategic planning and development skills.
Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
Proven leadership skills and ability to think critically.
Self-starter with high energy and intellectual curiosity.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, including firm leadership, attorneys, and business professionals.
Strong negotiation skills and a solution-oriented approach.
Ability to travel as needed across the firm’s national footprint; some overnight travel is required.
Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

A degree in marketing, communications, business, or another relevant area is preferred.
Strong understanding of market trends and client demands affecting energy, including oil, gas and minerals, utilities, renewables, and infrastructure projects such as data centers.
Experience working with infrastructure-related practice areas, such as project finance and public-private partnerships.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio that includes the Energy Industry Team, associated practice groups and initiatives (including data centers and public-private partnerships), and key client teams.
Make independent decisions about business development priorities, resource allocation, and tactical execution, consulting with Practice Group and Industry Team leaders, the Business Development Director, the Chief Business Development Officer, and other firm executive leadership.
Work with the Business Development Director and Chief Business Development Officer on strategic firm initiatives and, when needed, serve as a delegate for leadership functions and presentations.
Collaborate with Directors of Practice Services and Department Chairs on Practice Group performance, individual attorney issues, and the development of new service offerings.
Drive or administer the expected level of support for Industry Team and Practice Group pursuits.
Create and implement business development strategies and execute tactics, including key client identification, client engagement, cross-servicing and integration opportunities, proposals and presentations, attorney coaching and lateral support, client feedback implementation, content marketing, events and sponsorships, speaking engagements, and trade or professional organization involvement.
Oversee Business Development Associates and Business Development Coordinators assisting with portfolio projects.
Define timelines and benchmarks for strategic business development opportunities and drive accountability.
Manage and assist with the preparation and strategy of requests for proposals and pitches for new business.
Collaborate with Marketing, Finance, Data & Innovation, Information Systems, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Pricing, Project Management, and Legal Talent colleagues on initiatives affecting assigned groups.
Contribute to departmental leadership functions, including process and resource development and meeting facilitation.
Assist in developing and managing budgets for assigned Practice Groups, Industries, client teams, or initiatives.
Develop and present insights and analysis on legal industry trends, client feedback, Practice Group and Industry Team trends, and awareness and outreach opportunities.