Business Development Manager

The role: We are looking for a Business Development Manager to join our Marketing & Business Development department in London, on a 12-month fixed-term basis. This role is focused on building and deepening strategic relationships with selected US law firms, while also supporting the UK office in their business development and client initiatives. Working closely with the Global Head of Clients & Sectors and the wider M&BD team, the role will support the development of “best friend” relationships with US firms to generate mutually beneficial referrals and collaboration opportunities, and will help drive the UK office’s client-focused growth agenda. The role combines strategic thinking with structured execution, cross-functional coordination and delivery excellence across a number of priority US law firm relationships and UK client initiatives. The Marketing and Business Development Manager will help design and implement relationship plans, track and grow referral flows, and ensure that activity is aligned with the firm’s client, sector, UK and international strategy. The M&BD Team: Uniting the firm’s expertise to meet clients’ global needs… The Marketing and Business Development (M&BD) team at Simmons & Simmons is a dynamic group of value creators, digital innovators, and relationship builders. We're seeking talented individuals with ambition and passion to join our high-performing team, known for its commitment to learning, growth, and excellence. The team benefits from the expertise of seasoned professionals from leading firms and industries. We invest in our talent at all levels, offering extensive training like the 'Future Leaders' programme to nurture the next generation of leaders. Our innovative efforts, including the award-winning “supercharge” client program, sector-focused campaigns and cross-border group teams, have significantly contributed to the firm's global reputation and success in attracting top-tier clients. We prioritise continuous improvement and operational excellence, adopting best practices to maintain our competitive edge and align with our purpose of becoming a next generation law firm. Our global M&BD team operates as 'One Team,' valuing contributions from members worldwide and fostering a culture of connection and fun. Joining us means making a definitive impact in a role that values and leverages your contributions. What will you do: Relationship strategy and planning: • Develop and maintain structured relationship plans for priority US law firms, including agreed objectives, contact maps, referral targets and joint activity. • Work with sector and client teams to ensure US firm relationships and the UK are integrated into key client programmes, sector strategies and international initiatives. • Supporting the UK Country Head and UK office leadership in shaping and delivering the UK business development plan, ensuring alignment between US firm relationships and UK client priorities. Referral and collaboration management: • Monitor and report on referral flows, introductions and collaboration activity with US firms; identify trends, gaps and growth opportunities relevant to the UK and wider firm. • Support the established and use of dedicated relationship- channels (e.g shared mailboxes, tracking tools) to improve visibility of referrals and introductions. • Coordinate partner‑to‑partner and team‑to‑team engagement (e.g. relationship calls, visits, secondments, joint events, thought leadership). Insight, data and tools: • Use CRM and other data sources to maintain accurate records of US law firm contacts, activity and referral flows. • Prepare briefing materials and insight packs for senior stakeholders ahead of meetings with US law firms and UK priority clients; follow up to ensure agreed actions are implemented • Support the creation and use of tools, data and where appropriate, AI‑enabled “relationship agents” to improve visibility, tracking and opportunity spotting across US firm relationships and UK client opportunities. • Capture and share intelligence on US firm’s strengths, sector focus, key clients and strategic priorities to inform joint activities and referrals and UK business development initiatives. Internal communications, profile and branding: • Draft and deliver clear internal communications to raise awareness of the US law firm relationship programme, its objectives and the opportunities it creates. • Help shape and promote the external profile and branding of our US firm relationships (e.g. joint client events, thought leadership, campaigns), ensuring alignment with the firm’s brand and positioning. • Bring partners and colleagues on the journey by explaining the value of the programme, sharing success stories and promoting practical ways for them to engage and contribute. Project and programme delivery: • Lead or support specific projects relating to US law firm relationships (e.g. joint client events, targeted campaigns, secondment programmes), and UK BD efforts. • Work with partners, PAs and M&BD colleagues to map planned international travel (particularly to the US and other key locations) and proactively identify opportunities for relationship meetings and joint client activity linked to that travel. • Ensure that all activities are delivered to a high standard, with clear post‑activity follow‑up and measurement of outcomes. • Provide regular updates to the Global Head of Clients & Sectors and relevant senior stakeholders on progress against plans and key metrics. What we are looking for: • Significant business development experience within professional services, ideally in an international law firm environment. • Proven experience in relationship management, including planning, execution, tracking and reporting. • Demonstrable track record of building and managing relationships with senior stakeholders (internally and externally). • Experience of working across multiple jurisdictions and time zones, and of coordinating cross‑border initiatives. • Strong relationship‑building and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work closely with partners and senior leaders. • Strategic thinker with the ability to translate high‑level objectives into practical plans and actions. • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to present information clearly and persuasively to different audiences. • Has an ability to provide effective challenge to fee earners. • Strong organisational and project management skills, with a focus on delivery, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities. • Comfortable with data and systems; able to use CRM, reporting tools and (where relevant) AI‑enabled tools to generate insights and drive actions. • Collaborative and proactive, able to work effectively across practices, sectors and business services teams. • Culturally aware and comfortable working in an international environment, with an interest in the US legal and business market. • University degree in business, marketing or related area would be advantageous but is not a necessity. Professional marketing qualification is desirable but not essential. Career Level: The career level assigned to this role is level 3. The career level framework provides a formal structure for the business services functions at the firm. The framework, which ranges from level 1 to level 7, clearly defines the responsibilities, skills and competencies required at each level. Here at Simmons & Simmons: At Simmons, we are proud of our collaborative, open and non-hierarchical culture, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity and the wellbeing of our people is paramount. Our dynamic minds work as one integrated team, partnering with leading organisations on inspirational and thought-provoking projects that matter. From day one, irrespective of job title, quali