Business Development Senior Manager - Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, & Securities

We are a Firm where people truly believe in what they do and strive to achieve the highest standards of performance and success.

This position can be based in New York or at one of the Firm's offices: Philadelphia, Boston, and Stamford.

General Description:
The Business Development Senior Manager for the Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions & Securities (“CMAS”) Section serves as the strategic, business development lead for assigned Practice Groups, including in the Northeast, within the CMAS Section. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, and with support from the Director of Business Development for the Section as well as others in the Marketing Department, the Business Development Senior Manager works closely with the Practice Group and Team leaders on growth strategy, marketing positioning and client and prospective client development efforts and is accountable for translating Firm, Section and Practice Group objectives into measurable business development results. The role leads complex, high-impact initiatives, anticipates opportunities and risks, influences senior attorneys and stakeholders and drives coordinated execution across offices and practices. The Business Development Senior Manager supervises, develops and mentors team members and provides leadership across the department by establishing best practices, strengthening collaboration and advancing Firm-wide priorities.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

• Strategic Development: Lead the development, implementation, measurement and continuous refinement of sophisticated business development plans for assigned Practice Groups. Establish priorities, measurable objectives, target markets and accountability frameworks aligned with the Firm, Section and Practice Group goals.
• Practice Group Leader Partnership: Serve as a senior, trusted advisor to assigned Practice Group Leaders, and other senior attorneys. Independently provide strategic counsel on growth opportunities, market positioning, client and prospective client targeting, competitive differentiation, investments decisions and attorney business development.
• Practice Group Engagement: Lead the business development agenda for assigned practice group and team meetings, including setting priorities, presenting recommendations and performance insights, facilitating decisions, and ensuring timely follow-through and accountability.
• Budget Management: Develop, recommend and manage budgets for assigned Practice Groups, including forecasting, prioritization, resource allocation, expenditure overview and ROI analysis. Advise senior leadership on investments and reallocation based on strategic value and performance. Practice Group and Team budgets.
• Business Development Execution: Lead the strategy, development and delivery of high-value and complex RFPs, pitches, proposals and client presentations. Shape pursuit strategy, coordinate cross-functional teams, challenge assumptions, and coach attorneys on messaging, presentation, and follow-up.
• Cross-Selling: Originate and lead cross-practice, cross-office, and cross-industry initiatives that convert practice strengths and client relationships into broader opportunities. Facilitate introductions, coordinate account strategies, and track outcomes.
• Market & Competitive Intelligence: Direct and synthesize research on market trends, industry developments, clients, targets, and competitors. Translate insights into actionable recommendations, growth opportunities, risk considerations, and differentiated market strategies.
• Directory & Awards Oversight: Set strategy and provide senior-level oversight for directory, ranking, and awards submissions for assigned practices. Prioritize opportunities, strengthen positioning and evidence, and ensure consistently high-quality submissions.
• Collateral & Content Strategy: Set the content strategy and oversee development of marketing collateral, practice descriptions, brochures, deal and case lists, website content, and other materials. Ensure accuracy, differentiation, quality, and alignment with firm and practice positioning.
• Public Relations & Visibility: Partner with PR and Communications leadership to develop integrated visibility strategies for significant matters, market developments, thought leadership, and attorney profiles. Counsel practice leaders on priorities, messaging, and reputational considerations.
• CRM & Database Oversight: Champion disciplined use of CRM, experience, pipeline, and engagement data for assigned practices. Partner with designated professionals to improve data quality, relationship intelligence, activity tracking, and reporting that supports leadership decisions.
• Event Strategy: Develop and oversee strategic programs for events, sponsorships, seminars, webinars, and client engagement. Evaluate opportunities, define objectives and audiences, coordinate execution across offices, and assess outcomes and return on investment.
• Team Leadership: Lead, supervise, develop, and mentor Managers, Coordinators, Assistants, and other team members, as assigned. Set expectations, delegate effectively, balance workloads, provide ongoing feedback and coaching, conduct performance reviews, support succession and professional development, and foster a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive team environment.
• Expected to maintain a regular and predictable work schedule and full attention to and engagement in work activities on behalf of the firm during business hours unless otherwise approved or required by applicable law. 
• Special projects and duties as assigned. 

Required Skills:

• Enterprise-level strategic thinker who can independently develop, prioritize, and execute growth plans that deliver measurable results. 
• Advanced business and financial acumen, including the ability to connect business development investments and activities to client growth, revenue opportunity, and strategic objectives. 
• Exceptional communication skills, including executive-level advising, active listening, persuasive writing, facilitation, and confident presentation to senior audiences. 
• Demonstrated leadership and people management capabilities, including the ability to set direction, influence without authority, delegate, coach, develop talent, and lead through change. 
• Exceptional interpersonal, judgment, and relationship-building skills, with a record of establishing credibility and trusted partnerships with senior attorneys and firm leadership. 
• Ability to operate autonomously, make sound decisions with incomplete information, and manage multiple complex, high-impact priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
• High level of professionalism, discretion, accountability, and sound judgment when handling sensitive or confidential matters. 
• Advanced consulting, presentation, negotiation, and executive-influence skills. 
• Innovative and solutions-oriented mindset, with the confidence to challenge established approaches, champion new ideas, and drive adoption. 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or Microsoft 365; experience with CRM (InterAction), proposal (Qorus), experience-management (Foundation), and business intelligence platforms preferred. 

Required Qualifications & Education:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant professional certification highly valued.
• 10+ years of professional experience in business development and/or marketing, preferable in a legal or professional services environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Moderate or advanced keyboard usage.

Benefits: Our goal is to promote a work environment in which individuals have access to the resources they need to be their best both professionally and personally, which includes resources that encourage individuals to focus on their health and well-being.

Below are the benefits we offer: comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs), dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners; life and AD&D insurance; short and long term disability insurance; tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs; FSAs for dependent care; health advocacy services; behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members; 401(k); profit sharing; backup dependent care; senior care planning support; resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers; and paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents.

Holland & Knight is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other factor prohibited by law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact [email protected].

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