Senior Business Development Manager

About the role

FBT Gibbons LLP is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager (SBDM) to join our dynamic team. This role serves as a trusted strategic advisor to Practice Groups, Industry Teams, key client programs (Cornerstones), cross-functional departments, and firm leadership. The SBDM will lead business development strategies that accelerate revenue and support long-term growth for the Corporate, M&A, and Private Equity practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development strategy for the Corporate, M&A, Private Equity, and other transactional practices, partnering with industry teams, key client programs, and firm leadership to drive growth and revenue generation.
• Partner with attorneys and firm leadership to identify growth opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and advance strategic priorities across the firm's corporate and transactional practices.
• Analyze firm, client, market, and competitive intelligence data to identify growth opportunities, inform business development strategy, and support practice growth.
• Develop and execute business development plans, client initiatives, and market-facing programs that drive revenue growth, strengthen client relationships, and elevate market visibility.
• Lead key client development efforts, including client growth strategies, cross-selling initiatives, client feedback programs, and relationship expansion opportunities.
• Oversee proposals, pitches, presentations, and other business development pursuits from strategy through execution.
• Direct business development resources, budgets, and performance metrics to ensure successful execution of strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on initiatives that support practice growth, client service, and firmwide objectives.
• Monitor legal industry, client, and market trends and provide actionable insights and recommendations to firm leadership.
• Contribute to departmental leadership, process improvement, and the development of business development best practices.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work culture by motivating employees, promoting teamwork, and maintaining high levels of engagement and job satisfaction.
• Provide continuous coaching and mentorship to direct reports, offering constructive feedback to support professional growth and skill development.
• Ensure adherence to firm policies and legal regulations while managing employee conduct and performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required; degree in business, finance, marketing, communications or other relevant area preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a B2B professional services setting developing and executing business development strategies required, including 3 years of management experience.
• Sophisticated understanding of corporate and transactional legal services and the ability to translate that knowledge into growth strategies, client opportunities, and market-facing initiatives.
• Strong strategic planning and development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, financial metrics, market research, and competitive intelligence to identify growth opportunities and inform strategy.
• Proficiency with CRM, pipeline tracking, experience databases, marketing technology, and Microsoft Office applications preferred.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, leadership, project management, and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated professional with sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization.
• Ability to work over 40 hours per week and travel as needed across the firm’s footprint. Weekend and overnight travel may be required from time to time. Travel time estimates are moderate (10-15%).

Qualifications

• Experience in a B2B professional services and/or legal environment is required.
• This position can be based in Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Los Angeles, CA; Louisville, KY; Nashville, TN; Newark, NJ; or Washington, D.C.

Skills

• Strategic and commercially minded professional with demonstrated understanding of corporate and transactional law practices.
• Partners with attorneys and firm leadership to drive growth, strengthen client relationships, and enhance the firm's market position.
• Strategic thinking, leadership, project management, and organizational skills.
• Communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health care coverage (medical, dental, and vision), life insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, employee wellbeing and EAP programs, paid time off, and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching and profit-sharing.
• Actual pay will be determined based on skills, relevant experience and other job-related factors, consistent with applicable employment laws.

Pay

• The pay range for this role accounts for the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
• For applicants physically based in Denver, CO, a reasonable estimate of the current annual range is $154,000-$187,000.
• For applicants physically based in Los Angeles, CA; Newark, NJ; and Washington, DC, a reasonable estimate of the current annual range is $161,000-$195,500.

Contact Information

For more information about this opportunity, please contact [Contact Name] at [Contact Email] or [Contact Phone Number].