Senior Business Development Manager - TMT

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer•San Francisco, CA

7d•$200,000 - $250,000

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to lead our strategic business development efforts for our TMT (Technology, Media and Telecoms) sector across the US market, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence. The successful candidate will work closely with our leading AI partners to identify client issues, map out market trends and create an engaging program of client development activities to drive revenue from this sector, with a primary focus on the US and in close collaboration with colleagues internationally. They will also be responsible for developing a market-leading communications strategy that delivers on our TMT brand aspirations in the US, with AI as a central pillar. This is a high-profile role for a key sector within Freshfields, which lies at the very heart of our growth plans for the firm — and nowhere more so than in the US market. This growth has been underpinned by our Silicon Valley office, which positions Freshfields at the epicenter of the world's AI ecosystem. We have close relationships with several of the most important clients in this space, ranging from "Big Tech" companies and frontier AI companies based on the West Coast to AI infrastructure players, AI-enabled disruptors, and emerging companies evolving into industry household names. The rapid pace of AI development — spanning regulation, investment, M&A, and governance — makes this an exceptionally dynamic and strategically critical role within our broader TMT offering.

Requirements

Deep knowledge and passion with respect to the Tech industry – especially in terms of anticipating market opportunities.
Proactive, commercial mindset, looking to push the BD agenda without always waiting for senior guidance.
High level of confidence in their own professional capabilities and judgment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
The ability to lead on key projects - whether strategic or tactical – and to be responsible for their success or failure, learning from the latter.
The ability to build strong relationships internally and externally, while frequently operating remotely from their colleagues.
The ability to deal efficiently with complexity, ambiguity and competing demands.
A good understanding of the partnership environment within a professional services firm.
A global mindset, while demonstrating sensitivity towards the balance between local business needs and the firm’s global priorities.
A commercial outlook, with a clear understanding of what is best for both the firm and our clients.
Resilience and the ability to remain calm and positive under pressure.
Excellent leadership skills and the ability to inspire confidence.
Strong emotional intelligence and situational awareness.

Responsibilities

Support US AI client strategy and internal reporting, with a particular focus on AI-driven priorities and opportunities within the US TMT market.
Develop an excellent understanding of the US TMT market, with deep expertise in AI, using this to anticipate revenue-generating opportunities — including those arising from AI regulatory developments, M&A activity in the AI sector, AI governance frameworks, and data-related legal trends — and to adapt the US marketing and business development approach accordingly, such that client outreach and collateral can be generated quickly.
Work very closely with partners in the US to take advantage of these opportunities and help develop opportunities with our priority and target clients, by tailoring and positioning key legal and market developments — particularly in AI, such as emerging legislation, enforcement actions, and compliance requirements — in ways that are specifically relevant for them.
Take the lead on working with client teams to develop the relationships they have with priority clients across the US TMT landscape, with an emphasis on AI-driven companies and sectors, so that we are a compelling choice for these clients when it comes to the work we want to win. We aim both to drive revenue through increased penetration of existing firm clients (across US offices, practice groups, and, where relevant, international geographies) and by identifying select new clients — particularly within the AI ecosystem — that fit our longer-term strategy.
Be a constant source of advice, expertise and coaching for all TMT lawyers and MBD colleagues in the US, such that they see you as the go-to person for business development initiatives and client insight, especially on AI-related matters.
Work with colleagues in MBD to develop a market-leading communications strategy that delivers on our TMT brand aspirations in the US, leveraging the firm's Silicon Valley presence and AI focus as key differentiators.
Take the MBD lead on all major US TMT projects, particularly those with an AI dimension, including product working groups and client targeting initiatives.
Work closely with our TMT lawyers to support strategically important pitches effectively, including drafting content that reflects the firm's depth and credibility in AI-related legal services.
Coach and manage colleagues, both formally in the case of their direct reports and informally with respect to the rest of the MBD function, fostering AI sector knowledge and fluency across the team.