Business Development Manager, Competition/Antitrust, Regulation & Trade (CRT)

Key responsibilities:

The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing the practice's strategic objectives and supporting the development and delivery of initiatives aimed at:

• Driving business growth from both new and existing clients;

• Strengthening relationships with key clients and enhancing our appeal to prospective clients;

• Elevating the profile of the CRT practice in Brussels and across EMEA; and

• Embedding a client-focused approach to business development that supports a high-performing, profitable practice.

Strategic BD Planning and Execution

• Grow key client relationships across offices and practice areas, aligned to the CRT business plan. Identify and coordinate cross-selling opportunities with other practice areas, sector specialists, and relationship partners, encouraging partners to win work collaboratively.

• Develop scalable product propositions that maximise revenue and profitability, while creating relationship opportunities in priority sectors.

• Ensure connectivity and continuous improvement in business development activity across the associate cohort. Contribute to and deliver structured BD training to legal professionals at all levels.

• Manage the CRT BD and marketing budget for Brussels and EMEA, ensuring effective allocation of resources and demonstrable return on investment.

Pitches, Proposals and Capability Statements

• Lead and manage strategic BD pitch support for the CRT team.

• Establish effective processes to ensure timely partner and associate input into pitches and tenders.

• Act as a key conduit to the broader region for CRT, working in tandem with the BDM in London and inputting into cross-practice and sector pitches, ensuring alignment on messaging and delivery against deadlines.

• Manage and maintain pitch precedents for CRT.

• Work with the design team to develop bespoke materials.

• Develop strong, consistent key selling messages.

• Support pitch preparation and rehearsals.

• Manage communications, including internal and external debrief processes.

Directories, Awards and League Tables

• Lead all aspects of directory submissions for CRT Brussels, working closely with partners and lawyers to develop strategic messaging, matter highlights, referees, and partner profiles.

• Lead award submissions, including development of awards strategy and key messaging.

• Maintain and strengthen competition and trade rankings, with a clear year-on-year improvement strategy.

• Monitor and analyse competitor positioning in key directories and use insights to inform the submissions strategy.

Profile, Thought Leadership and Marketing

• Project-manage the development of marketing collateral with design and production teams, including materials tailored to target markets.

• Provide BD and marketing guidance on new product launches.

• Liaise with PR/communications teams on media opportunities.

• Coordinate with lawyers and Knowledge Counsel on external publications and client materials.

• Work with the BD Manager in London, Knowledge Counsel, and partners to develop and deliver strategic thought leadership campaigns.

• Lead the creation of client-facing materials, target mailing lists, and delivery channels (e.g. webinars, LinkedIn campaigns, direct mailings).

• Develop a digital engagement strategy for the CRT practice (LinkedIn, webinars, podcasts, etc.) and collaborate with the firm's digital marketing team to increase online visibility and engagement.

Client and Event Engagement

• Plan and deliver client-facing events in Brussels and across EMEA (seminars, receptions, webinars), aligned with the CRT business plan and sector priorities.

• Build and maintain a pipeline of speaking opportunities and conference sponsorships for CRT partners.

• Develop and manage the events strategy, including budgets and ROI measurement.

• Coordinate with external event partners.

• Implement post-event follow-up processes to convert engagement into business opportunities.

• Ensure feedback is captured and reported to partners and teams in a structured and consistent way.

• Support and enhance Client Relationship Management activity.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Appropriate degree or postgraduate qualification; MBA or equivalent business qualification preferred.

• Significant knowledge and expertise in business development, sales, and account relationship management within professional services.

• Knowledge of customer relationship management principles and practices in a service delivery environment.

• Demonstrated experience in building strategic relationships, managing clients, and pursuing new business.

• Experience of leading and influencing cross-functional teams, including without direct line management authority; comfortable working in a matrix structure.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Able to confidently get message across to senior audiences; presents with clarity, energy, confidence, and enthusiasm.

• Able to make complex decisions to ensure the firm's objectives are met and develops new, innovative concepts or original approaches without guidance from others.

Competencies

Personal Leadership

• Energises those around them, simplifies complexity and makes quality decisions.

• Brings perspective and a constructive approach to high pressure situations and directs attention to solutions.

• Makes sound commercial decisions based on a clear understanding of the business.

• Acts decisively even on the basis of incomplete information.

Collaborates with others

• Develops innovative solutions by valuing diversity of thought, expertise and experience.

• Brings a positive energy to the way they work and inspires this in others.

• Draws on internal networks to bring people with the right skills and expertise together to develop solutions.

Builds High Performing Teams

• Builds highly engaged teams that are diverse and inclusive and can excel in a range of situations.

• Creates an environment that encourages personal accountability, and builds the confidence of others by highlighting their strengths and achievements.

Focuses on Clients

• Always acts with the firm's clients in mind.

• Prioritises initiatives that will positively impact the client experience and their business.

• Develops solutions that balance client needs and the sustainable profitability of the firm.

• Takes active steps to cultivate and maintain an excellent reputation in the market.

Innovates

• Leads and influences change.

• Seeks out market trends and introduces relevant ideas for competitive advantage.

• Envisions ways for the firm to differentiate itself and is driven to achieve this.

Achieves results

• Makes things happen in a complex environment.

• Remains focused on long term objectives and broad firm issues.