Job Description

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a premier international law firm dedicated to helping you reach your objectives. Our foundation is built on delivering unparalleled client care and maintaining a commitment to brilliance. We prioritize and cultivate our professional bonds, which explains our many decades-long partnerships. We pride ourselves on pioneering new paths, a tradition we have upheld for more than 170 years.

As a unified global firm spanning the Atlantic and Pacific, we maintain a presence wherever your business requires. Our network is expansive and deeply rooted in the globe’s primary financial hubs, major markets, and burgeoning economic centers. We excel at managing intricate challenges and steering through transformations, partnering with you on high-stakes litigation, rigorous regulatory matters, and sophisticated public or private market deals. We are acknowledged market leaders in these disciplines.

Our expertise is deeply embedded in the industries and hurdles that define your world. We are specifically distinguished in the fields of infrastructure, energy, and natural resources, while staying focused on the global growth trends affecting all modern enterprises. We accomplish this by fostering the advancement of our staff, who are instrumental in fulfilling our goal of helping you realize yours.

The Opportunity

The Business Development Manager is central to propelling strategic expansion and deepening client interactions within the firm’s Banks & Financial Services division. Reporting to the Senior BD Manager and collaborating with partners and sector heads, the individual will implement sector-specific initiatives, spot market openings, and oversee a set of high-priority client accounts.

Primary Objectives

Partner with Sector Lead Partners and regional BD teams to execute global strategies for the Banks & Financial Services industry.
Spearhead the creation and rollout of global sub-sector plans that complement the overarching firm strategy.
Coordinate with internal stakeholders to enhance and grow connections with key priority accounts.
Expand personal expertise regarding internal capabilities and external industry requirements to serve as a firm-wide specialist.
Function as a Client Relationship Manager for selected priority financial institutions to build profitable, enduring partnerships.
Serve as a strategic link between various practice areas, clients, and current market shifts to drive commercially viable, insight-based actions.

Key Responsibilities

Sector Strategy & Planning: Enable the activation of global banking sector goals. Lead the development of actionable sub-sector blueprints. Work with leadership to pivot strategies based on client input and market trends. Oversee campaigns that elevate the firm’s industry profile in tandem with Marketing and PR teams.
Pipeline & Sales Execution: Assist the Senior BD Manager in generating new business through relationship cultivation and strategic pursuits. Distribute thought leadership and product insights to client teams to facilitate targeted market conversations. Partner with marketing to launch sector events and campaigns with defined follow-up goals. Utilize client feedback to refine strategies and provide specialized insight for major pitches.
Client Portfolio Management: Manage a selection of priority accounts directly. Create customized engagement roadmaps that include cross-selling, relationship mapping, and feedback loops.
Sector Governance & Communication: Maintain consistent sector communication flows. Build and update sales pipelines and promotional assets. Conduct annual reviews of client team performance and support commercial decisions regarding pricing and panel participation. Oversee the sector budget with a focus on return on investment.

Key Performance Indicators

Sector and client growth relative to financial goals.
Execution and management of detailed client roadmaps.
Successful completion and reporting of annual client feedback sessions.
Approval ratings from internal partners and stakeholders.
Level of collaboration across internal departments to boost sector efficiency.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Minimum of five years in business development, specifically in client management and strategic sales.
High degree of commercial savvy, resilience, and practical judgment.
Proven ability to influence others within a corporate or professional services framework.
Excellent people skills with the capacity to build trust with partners and management.
A proactive mindset paired with strategic thinking and a willingness to be hands-on.
Unwavering personal ethics.
A forward-thinking approach with an interest in AI and new technological developments.

Job Data Table

Category	Details
Company Name	Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Location	London, United Kingdom
Locality	City of London
Country	United Kingdom
City	London
Region	Greater London
Job Type	Full-time
Salaries	Not Specified
Experience Level	5+ Years
Travel	Not Specified
Language	English
Benefits	Inclusive Culture, Professional Growth Support

Skills & Competency Table

Skill	Competency Level
Strategic Selling	Expert
Client Relationship Management (CRM)	Expert
Pursuit Management	Advanced
Stakeholder Influencing	Advanced
Sector Strategy Development	Advanced
Commercial Awareness	Expert
Emerging Tech/AI Interest	Foundational

Salaries Pay Calculator Table

Component	Amount	Notes
Annual Salary	Market Competitive	Based on 5+ years experience
Bonus	Performance Related	Based on firm/sector KPIs
Total Compensation	Not Disclosed	Includes standard permanent benefits

Job Summary

This role involves driving strategic growth within the Banks & Financial Services sector at a top-tier law firm. You will manage high-priority client relationships, lead sub-sector strategies, and bridge the gap between legal practice groups and market trends to originate new business and maintain the firm’s leading market position.

FAQs

What is the minimum experience required for this role?

Candidates must have at least five years of experience in business development, specifically focusing on strategic selling and client management.

Which sector does this role support?

The position is dedicated to the Banks & Financial Services sector, including various global sub-sectors.

What are the primary KPIs for the position?

Performance is measured by financial targets, the delivery of client plans, the quality of internal stakeholder feedback, and successful client reviews.

Does this role involve managing a team?

The description focuses on managing client portfolios and sector strategies rather than direct reports, though it requires heavy internal influencing.

Is there a focus on technology in this role?

Yes, the firm looks for an innovative mindset and a curiosity regarding AI and emerging technologies.

Expert Analysis

This position is a high-level “connector” role within a prestigious “Silver Circle” or “Magic Circle” equivalent environment. Success hinges on the ability to influence senior legal partners. The emphasis on “transatlantic and transpacific” integration suggests the manager must navigate complex, cross-border regulatory environments and maintain global internal alignments.

Location & Logistics Guide

The role is based in London, the world’s leading financial hub. Working from the firm’s London office places you at the heart of the “Square Mile,” providing immediate proximity to major banking clients and financial institutions. Transit is highly accessible via the London Underground and major rail termini.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London

Career Path

A Business Development Manager at a global law firm typically progresses to Senior Business Development Manager or Head of Business Development for a specific region. Long-term prospects include Global Sector Director roles or transitioning into high-level Client Relationship Management (CRM) leadership within the professional services industry.

To apply for this job please visit careers.hsfkramer.com.