Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we're focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Role:

The Business Development Manager plays a pivotal role in driving strategic growth and client engagement within the firm's Banks & Financial Services sector. Working closely with the Senior BD Manager, partners, client teams, and sector leadership, the role includes executing sector-specific plans, identifying market opportunities, and managing a portfolio of priority clients.

Primary Objectives:

• Work alongside the Sector Lead Partners (SLP), Senior BD Manager and Sector BD in AsiaPac to:

  • deliver the firm's global strategies for the Banks & Financial Services sector;

  • take the lead in developing and executing one or more of the global sub-sector strategies aligned to the above;

• Successfully work with internal stakeholders to support the development of new and existing relationships with priority clients;

• Increase personal understanding of the internal offering and external needs of the sector, and become one of the firm's experts in this space;

• Successfully work with the Client Relationship Partners (CRPs), as CRM for a small number of priority FI clients to develop long term, profitable relationships;

• Act as a connector between practice groups, clients, and market trends to support insight-led, commercially focused activity across the sector.

Key Responsibilities:

Sector Strategy & Planning

• Support the activation of the firm's global strategies for the Banks & Financial Services sector.

• Lead, develop and execute an action-oriented sub-sector plan aligned with the broader global sector strategy.

• Collaborate with sector leaders, partners and other stakeholders to refine and evolve the strategy based on market trends and client feedback to shape client targeting

• Lead campaigns and initiatives that help to promote the firm's profile in the sector, including coordination with the Communications, PR and Marketing teams as well as the wider BD team

• Develop understanding of the financial services market and facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration across the sector team

Pipeline & Sales Execution

• Work closely with the Senior BD Manager to originate new business opportunities through strategic pursuits and relationship building aligned to the strategy.

• Cascade relevant products, services, and thought leadership to client teams. Help take to market by driving a programme of targeted client conversations.

• Collaborate with marketing and other BD teams to develop sector-specific campaigns, thought leadership, and events, linked to clear objectives and robust follow-up strategies.

• Participate in client listening across sector clients and use insights to inform client and sector strategy.

• Provide sector insight for key panel and pitch opportunities.

• Ensure sales activation plans and outcomes are tracked.

Client Portfolio Management

• Act as Client Relationship Manager for a small number of priority clients.

• Develop and execute tailored engagement plans, including relationship mapping, cross-selling opportunities, and feedback mechanisms.

Sector Governance & Communication

• Facilitate regular sector communications and cadence.
• Develop and maintain a sector sales pipeline and supporting assets, including conversation starters.
• Participate in annual sector client team reviews to assess performance and opportunities.
• Support commercial decision-making (e.g., pricing, panel participation) for key clients.
• Manage sector budget, linking spend to ROI.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Performance of sector and clients against agreed financial targets;

• Oversight and delivery of client plans;

• Completion of the agreed number of client reviews annually, and dissemination of relevant feedback;

• Feedback from internal stakeholders;

• Engagement of client teams in sector approach;

• Delivering against the strategic objectives of the sector;

• Demonstrating collaboration between internal teams to improve the effectiveness of our sector approach.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Five years plus experience in business development with a particular focus on strategic selling, pursuits management and client relationship management;

• Demonstrates commercial awareness, common sense and resilience;

• Experience in influencing within a professional services or large corporate environment;

• Strong interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build trusting relationships with the partnership and business services management alike;

• Proactive, strategic thinker with a hands-on approach;

• High level of personal integrity.

• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies

Team

Business DevelopmentFull time

Location

London

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values-Human, Bold, and Outstanding.