Senior Manager, Business Development, Industry Groups - Lifesciences & Healthcare

White & Case LLP•New York, NY

1d•$174,400 - $261,600

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Business Development, Life Sciences & Healthcare Industry Group is the group’s primary business development lead and a trusted adviser to its partner leads. The role helps shape commercial objectives by anticipating market shifts, identifying growth opportunities, supporting client development, and enhancing the Firm’s position across the Life Sciences & Healthcare sector. The Industry Group brings together lawyers across practices and regions to serve pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology, healthcare services, and digital health companies on significant business, regulatory, transactional, and disputes matters. Working with partners across practices and regions, the Senior Manager leads industry business planning, market-facing campaigns, client engagement initiatives, conferences and sponsorships, thought leadership programs, and other activities that support growth. The role oversees the group’s budget, governance, reporting, and business development infrastructure. It works closely with Global Life Sciences & Healthcare Industry Group Leaders, Global Strategic Client teams, Practice Groups, Marketing & Communications, and other Business Services teams to coordinate client development, market engagement, and cross-practice collaboration globally. This is a full-time role based in New York or London. The position reports to the Director, Business Development - Strategic Clients & Industry Groups. The New York compensation range is $174,400–$261,600.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 10 years of business development, client development, or related experience within a law firm or professional services firm.
Demonstrated experience supporting or advising Life Sciences & Healthcare clients, sectors, or related markets, and ability to understand complex industry developments and their commercial implications.
Strong business development expertise spanning business planning, client development, market positioning, thought leadership, campaigns, pitches, and financial reporting.
Ability to advise and influence senior stakeholders, build trusted relationships with partners, and operate effectively in a global organization.
Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across functions, practices, jurisdictions, and time zones.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including use of data and market intelligence to support decisions and measure performance.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including preparing clear, persuasive, client-ready materials for senior audiences.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with sound judgment and project management skills to balance priorities and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, and experience with CRM, reporting, and business development technology platforms.
Collaborative, proactive, and adaptable approach, with the credibility and professionalism to represent the Industry Group to stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree or relevant professional qualification.
Familiarity with evolving legal technology, AI-enabled tools, and digital business development capabilities.

Responsibilities

Lead the annual business planning process for the Life Sciences & Healthcare Industry Group, identifying growth opportunities, priorities, and objectives with leadership and lawyers globally.
Monitor industry, client, and competitive developments and provide actionable insights for business development activity, investment decisions, and market positioning.
Develop priority subsector, thematic, and cross-practice initiatives to strengthen the Firm’s presence in the Life Sciences & Healthcare market.
Manage Industry Group governance, budget oversight, and performance reporting; track priorities, align resources, and communicate progress.
Advise partners on client development and cross-practice growth opportunities through relationship mapping and white-space analysis.
Partner with Global Strategic Client teams to coordinate the Firm’s industry capabilities in support of priority client relationships and growth opportunities.
Lead client engagement programs, including client feedback initiatives, executive debriefs, trainings, secondments, and targeted outreach campaigns.
Analyze client, market, and competitive information to inform pursuit strategies, relationship development plans, and investment decisions.
Shape the Industry Group’s external positioning and value proposition, ensuring consistent and differentiated messaging.
Lead market-facing campaigns, thought leadership programs, and content initiatives that strengthen the Firm’s profile and support client engagement.
Evaluate and lead participation in industry conferences, sponsorships, speaking opportunities, partnerships, and other market platforms.
Develop and execute engagement plans around major industry events, including client outreach, partner participation, and follow-up.
Lead or support significant cross-practice pitches, panel reviews, and RFP responses involving Industry Group expertise.
Oversee and contribute to legal directory submissions, awards, rankings, and profile-building opportunities.
Assess the commercial impact and return on investment of go-to-market initiatives using data and stakeholder feedback.
Build alignment around Industry Group priorities and identify opportunities to bring together lawyers from multiple practices and jurisdictions.
Manage leadership meetings, communications, reporting, and action tracking to support decision-making and accountability.
Develop industry briefings, training programs, and practical resources to help lawyers understand market developments and identify client engagement opportunities.
Maintain and enhance business development infrastructure, including credentials, market intelligence resources, and client-facing materials.
Model leadership through effective delegation, coaching, knowledge sharing, and developing resources and best practices for the Business Development team.
Provide quality oversight to team members and project teams supporting the Industry Group.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.