Business Development Manager, Clients & Markets

Overview

Cleary Gottlieb is a pioneer in globalizing the legal profession. We have fourteen offices in major financial centers around the world, but we operate as a single, integrated global partnership and not a U.S. firm with a network of overseas locations. The firm employs approximately 1,100 lawyers from more than fifty countries.

Since 1946 our lawyers and staff have worked across practices, industries, jurisdictions, and continents to provide clients with simple, actionable approaches to their most complex legal and business challenges, whether domestic or international. We support every client relationship with intellectual agility, commercial acumen, and a human touch.

Cleary Gottlieb is seeking an exceptional Business Development Manager to play a leading role in shaping and accelerating the Firm’s approach to Technology, AI & Innovation. This role is deliberately dual‑focused: supporting the Firm’s industry strategy for clients in the Technology and AI sectors, while also advancing the Firm‑wide AI and innovation agenda that underpins how we advise clients across all sectors.

This is a high‑impact opportunity for an ambitious, commercially minded BD professional who is energized by innovation, collaboration and growth.

Working closely with cross-practice partners and under the direction of the Associate Director, Clients & Markets, the role sits at the intersection of sector leadership and firmwide innovation, driving profile, deepening relationships and helping to unlock new opportunities across a fast‑moving, future‑focused market.

Responsibilities

• Taking a leading role in industry strategy and execution, driving the profile and market presence of the Technology & AI groups through conferences, events, campaigns and thought leadership initiatives.
• Owning, shaping and evolving business development plans, ensuring they are dynamic, commercially focused and translated into clear, measurable actions.
• Leading and coordinating high‑profile, cross‑practice credentials activity, including the development of compelling RFP, pitch and complex panel responses that showcase the Firm at its best.
• Acting as a catalyst for collaboration across practices and geographies, building strong internal networks and fostering joined‑up, client‑centric approaches to sector and relationship development.
• Acting as the BD lead for key client relationships, partnering with relationship partners and client teams to develop and deliver strategic, insight‑led client plans.
• Serving as a trusted central point of contact on key relationships, providing timely client intelligence, market insight and strategic guidance to teams across the Firm.
• Building a deep, commercial understanding of clients’ businesses, competitive landscapes and priorities to proactively identify opportunities for revenue and relationship growth.
• Carry out client feedback, working closely with partners to translate insight into meaningful action and enhanced client experience.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the business development, marketing & communication team and the wider Firm to ensure a strong understanding of capabilities and to drive focused, impactful business development activity.
• Supporting partners and lawyers in advance of key client meetings and strategic BD engagements, ensuring they are fully briefed and market‑
• Partnering with marketing and other specialist teams on innovative product development and campaigns, tailored to clients, industry and growth opportunities.
• Coordinating efforts across professional services to deliver value‑add initiatives that strengthen long‑term client relationships.
• Championing and supporting the rollout of best practice in relationship management, helping to raise standards and capability across client teams.
• Creating practical, high‑quality client and sector tools, resources and insights to support partners and teams in their business development efforts.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience working in business development or client relationship management.
• The Business Development Manager will be expected to have a track record of successfully managing client relations or business development in a law firm or professional services environment.
• The position requires a high-energy and motivated team player who is also able to work independently as the business development point person for partners.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Effective time and project management skills: proven ability to organize and manage a diverse range of projects, prioritizing multiple tasks with competing deadlines across different stakeholders.
• Proactive and takes a hands-on approach. Self-starter, enthusiastic and collaborative mindset is essential.
• Fully able to work as part of a team and to liaise with/motivate partners and senior lawyers.
• Strong understanding of how to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Knowledge or prior experience of Foundation and Microsoft Dynamics is a plus, but not essential.
• Experience in developing best practice and implementing new processes is ideal.

The estimated base salary for this position ranges from $160,000 to $180,000 at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will be determined based on various job-related factors, including skills, education, training, credentials, experience, the scope and complexity of role responsibilities, geographic location, and performance. This is a exempt role, meaning it is not eligible for overtime pay.

Cleary provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health care benefits. More information can be found here: Benefits

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination based on any category protected by law. Cleary provides reasonable accommodations to enable otherwise qualified employees to perform the essential functions of their position, provided the accommodation does not pose an undue hardship to the Firm.

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