Senior Business Development Manager, Transactions

About the Firm

McDermott Will & Emery is a leading global law firm with over 1,700 lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community, and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault, and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work. At McDermott, we invest in your future and accelerate your career, supporting you both in and outside of the office.

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity.
• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, ensuring opportunities for career growth.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Our benefits program supports physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, emphasizing work-life balance.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages recognizing hard work and excellence.

About the Role

The Senior Business Development Manager for Transactions supports the firm’s business development and marketing efforts across corporate advisory sectors and practices. This role involves strategic activities spanning multiple markets, clients, and geographies, relying on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

Responsibilities

• Organize and drive the client targeting program, including pursuit activities, tracking, and reporting results.
• Lead and draft content for practice RFPs and pitches, coordinating with other business development teams.
• Guide lateral hires through client onboarding and integration into firm priorities.
• Identify and facilitate cross-selling opportunities for the private equity practice, crafting go-to-market strategies and collaborating across practice areas.
• Conduct strategic research on potential clients, competitors, and practice developments to grow market share.
• Build effective agendas for team meetings, prepare materials, and project-manage post-meeting actions.
• Create and maintain pitch and proposal materials.
• Coordinate firm-hosted business development events, including receptions, client entertainment, webinars, and substantive presentations.
• Manage invitation lists, event materials, participant tracking, and follow-up activities.
• Identify and facilitate participation in sponsorships, conferences, and profile-building opportunities.
• Manage legal directory and league ranking submissions, and assist the PR team with awards submissions.
• Oversee workflow, performance, and development of direct reports, including creating proposal collateral and providing feedback.
• Manage, review, and track the business development budget for the designated practice group.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least ten (10) years of related work experience.
• Previous experience managing a direct team of business development professionals.
• Excellent project management skills with keen attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Knowledge of client relationship management (CRM) software.
• Superior presentation, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership and analytical skills.
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information.
• Willingness to travel and work flexible or fluctuating hours.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk, and hear.
• Occasional lifting of up to twenty (20) pounds.
• Typical indoor office environment.

Pay

Target hiring range: $183,000 - $235,000. Base pay varies based on market location, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Full-time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.