BD Manager – Data, Intellectual Property & Technology Transactions M&A NEW

Chelmsford, Essex
A&O Shearman
We are recruiting a Business Development Manager to support the London Data, IP and Tech (DDIT) and Tech Transactions M&A group within our Marketing team, based in A&O Shearman’s London Office.

Marketing team – London
Our Marketing team helps the firm win and grow the right clients and work. We drive client development across the firm – deepening priority relationships, increasing share of wallet and converting strategic opportunities into profitable revenue. We equip partners with effective go-to-market strategies, tactics and processes, differentiated insights and disciplined execution. Alongside this, we strengthen the firm’s market profile and reputation to support client acquisition, retention, and growth. We work as one integrated global team, aligning central support and expertise with local knowledge and execution to maximise impact across offices, practice groups, sectors and client programs.

What you will do
You will support day-to-day business development for London Data, IP and Tech (DDIT) and Tech Transactions M&A groups by converting strategy into tactical plans that you deliver in an efficient, disciplined and collaborative way. You will provide both reactive and proactive support to lawyers and the business to help pursue growth opportunities, including managing the pitch pipeline, client development, running campaigns and other client touchpoints in line with go-to-market strategies, and ensuring that best practice is followed in terms of systems, technology and processes.

Strategic planning and execution

• Translate business plans into focused BD activity across London DDIT, Digital Infrastructure/Tech Transactions M&A and selected global priorities.
• Develop and deliver BD plans with partners and colleagues across practices, sectors and offices.
• Influence BD priorities and investment decisions, including marketing budgets and hospitality.
• Use CRM, pipeline and market intelligence to inform opportunities, reporting and decision-making.

Client development

• Support strategic client relationships and targeting activity across the portfolio.
• Develop client plans, contact maps and reporting, maintaining accurate CRM data.
• Coordinate client meetings, briefings, events and follow-up activity.
• Use research and market insight to identify relationship development and cross-selling opportunities.
• Respond to client and partner requests while progressing agreed priorities.

AI and technology

• Use approved AI tools in line with firm policy.
• Complete required AI training and develop practical AI capabilities.
• Apply AI effectively to improve individual and team outputs.

Pursuit excellence

• Lead and coordinate proposals, working with BD, pricing and legal teams to deliver compelling, client-focused submissions.
• Tailor credentials, case studies and pitch materials to client opportunities.
• Maintain accurate pipeline data and support go/no-go processes and pitch debriefs.
• Develop reusable pitch content to improve quality and efficiency.

Market profile, content and campaigns

• Develop campaigns with partners, knowledge and Communications/PR teams to support practice and sector priorities.
• Coordinate client events, seminars, sponsorships and hospitality, tracking engagement and ROI.
• Maintain high-quality website, marketing and client-facing content.
• Ensure activity and investment align with strategic priorities and budgets.

Practice and sector portfolio

• Support the DDIT portfolio, including commercial contracts, data protection, IP, technology transactions and AI.
• Support Digital Infrastructure/Tech Transactions M&A opportunities across DDIT, Corporate M&A and priority sectors.
• Conduct market and client research to identify opportunities and provide actionable insights.

Collaboration, integration and change

• Collaborate across regions, practices, sectors and central teams.
• Promote consistent use of firm systems, templates and processes.
• Support change initiatives and help embed new ways of working.
• Identify blockers and propose practical improvements.

What you will have

• Proven business development experience within professional services.
• Strong commercial awareness and interest in market and client developments.
• Excellent project management, stakeholder and communication skills.
• Confidence using data, research, CRM and pipeline systems.
• Strong organisation, attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.
• A proactive, resilient and client-focused approach.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Flexibility to travel occasionally.

What we can offer you
To learn more about the culture and benefits available at A&O Shearman, please visit: Culture and benefits A&O Shearman careers
Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time ( i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE – A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here .

A&O Shearman is a global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in nearly 30 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you’re helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.