Business Development Manager – Private Funds

Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm ranked in the top three on The American Lawyer's A-List for eight consecutive years and #1 on Law.com's UK A-List twice in the past three years. The firm has approximately 2,500 lawyers and professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology, and government worldwide. Recognized for leading practices in asset management, private equity, M&A, finance, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.

About the Role

The Business Development Manager (BDM) will serve as a trusted advisor to private funds specialty group leaders, asset management practice group leaders, and partners. This role focuses on strategic, commercial, and practical support for implementing business and client development priorities within the private funds and sponsor solutions group.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business development and marketing efforts to generate new business and improve market visibility for the private funds and sponsor solutions group.
• Collaborate with practice group partners and global teams to develop and implement business and client development plans, including budget planning, expense monitoring, and identifying joint initiatives.
• Drive AI adoption across the Business Development function by promoting proficiency in AI tools for proposals, RFPs, prospecting, market intelligence, and event strategy.
• Establish and maintain internal reporting and communication frameworks to track progress and support management reporting.
• Manage and drive the development of existing client relationships and pursue new engagements, including organizing and participating in internal business development meetings.
• Develop expertise in the private equity, private funds, and asset management industries through research and market intelligence.
• Project manage client, market, and competitor research, tailoring data for partner or client consumption.
• Monitor and identify market opportunities and private-equity-driven trends for client engagement.
• Drive pitching and new business generation by:
  • Project managing and executing large pitches, proposals, and RFPs.
  • Working with finance to develop compelling fee arrangements.
  • Maintaining accountability for timely and accurate completion and submission of RFPs or pitches.
  • Promoting best practices and knowledge sharing across global teams.
• Act as a trusted advisor to attorney teams for scoping, preparing, and providing post-pitch feedback.
• Work with the marketing team to identify opportunities for integrated branding, profile-raising campaigns, and conference participation.
• Support the development of attorney-facing business development training.
• Proactively build networks with adjacent practice and industry groups.
• Manage and develop junior members of the business development team, fostering a culture of teamwork and accountability.

Qualifications

• Superior client service skills with the ability to establish credibility with partners and stakeholders.
• Commercially minded, solutions-oriented, and able to work effectively in a team.
• Excellent organization, communication, and project management skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of the role.
• Experience writing in a professional services environment.
• Ability to set clear goals, multitask, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Creative and flexible in managing workloads and priorities.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree; MBA or JD helpful but not required.
• Minimum of eight years of experience in business development within a professional services firm or corporate environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of private equity, asset management, investment management, and/or financial services is preferred.
• Professional experience, including management of direct reports.

Pay

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below and represents the starting salary range at the time of posting. This role is also eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offered rate will be determined based on qualifications, experience, geographic location, education, external market data, and internal equity.

• Boston: $150,100 - $240,150
• New York: $161,000 - $257,600

Schedule

This position requires hybrid on-site presence as an essential function of the role. Consistent and predictable on-site presence is required for ongoing business continuity, professional development, and effective collaboration.

Benefits

Ropes & Gray offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package, including:

• Comprehensive health and well-being benefits.
• Personal and professional development opportunities.
• Career growth opportunities.
• A collegial and supportive culture.