Sr. Manager, Business Development - M&A

Weil seeks the best and brightest talent to join our Administrative Staff team. Our employees are the future of Weil so we invest in their training and development. Our environment embraces and encourages positive-minded professionals who seek to be challenged and acquire knowledge and skills in an atmosphere built on teamwork. Highly skilled and knowledgeable Administrative Staff assist our attorneys in successfully meeting and exceeding client needs and are vital to the overall success of the Firm.

Job Description

The Senior Business Development Manager, M&A works closely with the Director of Business Development – Corporate to develop and implement strategically focused business development initiatives aimed at securing new clients and strengthening existing relationships, consistent with the overall goals and priorities of both the Corporate Department and Weil.

Working closely with M&A and related practice groups and collaborating across practices with the broader Business Development team, the Senior Business Development Manager will help drive coordinated initiatives that provide high-quality business development programs and resources to partners, practice groups, and high-potential attorneys.

The Senior Business Development Manager reports to the Director of Business Development – Corporate.

This role is well suited for a driven professional who enjoys working with an ambitious, collaborative team focused on building and sustaining a leading market position.

Primary Responsibilities and/or Essential functions:

• Partner with practice leadership to develop and implement strategic business development plans aligned with firm priorities and market opportunities.
• Advise partners on business development opportunities and lead the development of strategic client-facing materials, including pitches, RFP responses, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Lead targeted business development initiatives across practices and offices, including advising individual partners on client development strategies and coaching on effective business development approaches.
• Lead the strategy, development, and execution of pitches and RFP responses, advising partners on positioning, messaging, and competitive differentiation, and conducting post-pitch reviews to refine future approaches.
• Collaborate with partners on the development and execution of individual business development plans aligned with practice and firm priorities.
• Oversee the capture and strategic use of deal and client intelligence to support business development initiatives, credentialing, and client targeting efforts.
• Identify opportunities to expand relationships with existing clients by analyzing client activity, industry trends, and competitive dynamics.
• Oversee strategy and execution for key legal directory and award submissions (e.g., Chambers, Legal 500, IFLR), ensuring effective positioning of the firm and its lawyers.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications specialists, including CRM, PR, events, and editorial teams, to deliver integrated client development and market visibility initiatives.
• Identify and develop cross-practice opportunities with colleagues across Litigation, Restructuring, and other practices to support integrated client development efforts.
• Provide market intelligence and analysis to support strategic decision-making by practice leadership.
• Monitor competitor activity, deal trends, and market developments to identify strategic opportunities for the practice.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination across the Business Development team and with attorneys on strategic initiatives and client development efforts.
• Leverage the skills of media, event planning, business graphics and data systems professionals within the group.
• Support additional strategic business development initiatives for the Corporate department as needed.
• Any additional responsibilities as required by management.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• 6+ years of law firm business development experience in a top 100 law firm or professional/financial services setting. Experience with M&A and/or Corporate practice Groups strongly preferred. 
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify relevant business development opportunities.
• Ability to work with, and instill confidence in, senior partners with regard to business development and other client/profile-raising opportunities. 
• Previous management experience required.
• Proven creativity, conceptual skills development and resourcefulness, as well as demonstrated experience effecting organizational initiatives and vision.
• Strong attention to detail and strong project management skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to work with a “service” mentality.
• Excellent listening skills with strong follow-up skills.
• Ability to negotiate individual, group and firm-wide needs and to interface successfully with multiple levels of business development team (partners, associates, legal support staff and other marketing staff). 
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently with minimal supervision or direction.
• Strong writing, presentation and organizational skills. 
• Drive and enthusiasm to work and complete assignments under tight scheduling deadlines in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated customer service focus and team-first orientation. 
• Ability to respond quickly under tight deadline pressure.
• Organizational and political savvy in working within a large professional services organization.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the firm’s entire marketing staff.
• Proficiency with key research resources (PitchBook, Preqin, Dealogic, Mergermarket, CapIQ, etc.)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) required.

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelors degree required.

Estimated salary range is $190,000 - $230,000. This position is bonus eligible. Compensation decisions within the range are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case including but not limited to the individual's skills, experience, and qualifications.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP offers a competitive compensation package comprised of base pay and discretionary year-end bonus for eligible employees. Benefits include, but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, disability coverage, life insurance, flexible spending plan and a 401K plan. Weil also offers generous paid time off and holidays. All decisions affecting employment at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP are made on the basis of qualification, performance and other pertinent work-related factors, and without discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran’s status, genetic information or any other legally protected status.