Business Development Manager - M&A and PE

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in Dallas, the Business Development Manager will lead business development, marketing, and visibility initiatives for the M&A and Private Equity practices. Working closely with partners, the Director of Business Development, and colleagues across the firm, the Manager will translate practice and partner priorities into actionable plans to strengthen client relationships and pursue new business.

The Manager will oversee pitches and proposals, develop practice materials, and coordinate targeted client outreach and visibility initiatives. The role also includes supporting other transactional practices and lawyers as needed and contributing to the development of junior team members.

This role reports to the Director, BD.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute business development plans for the M&A and Private Equity practices and assigned regions, aligned with practice priorities and individual partner objectives.
• Support key client initiatives and collaborate with colleagues across practices and offices to identify opportunities to deepen relationships, expand work with existing clients, and pursue prospective clients.
• Lead the strategy, preparation, and delivery of tailored pitches, proposals, and other client-facing materials, partnering with the RFP team as appropriate. Coordinate internal strategy sessions and debriefs, track outcomes, and manage follow-up.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of practice materials, including standard pitch decks, deal lists, matter descriptions, and other credentials, ensuring content is accurate, current, and readily available.
• Collaborate with colleagues in communications, digital marketing, and other functions to identify and pursue speaking opportunities, media visibility, awards, and legal directory recognition.
• Plan and oversee client events, seminars, conferences, sponsorships, and other targeted marketing activities in coordination with the events team and relevant colleagues.
• Assist the Director with team management, including mentoring junior team members and supporting their professional development.
• Lead additional department and firm projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional professional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with lawyers at varying levels including firm leadership.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Strong project management and time management skills.
• Solid understanding of the needs and expectations of law firms and the ability to work in an environment with shifting priorities and many constituents.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Exceptional in Microsoft office (Outlook, Excel, Word PowerPoint).
• Outstanding problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work outside business hours and occasional travel as needed.

Experience:

• University degree.
• 5-7 years of experience in professional services, legal preferred.
• 2+ years of team management experience preferred.
• Experience with strategic business development planning and pitching, with transactional knowledge preferred.

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual compensation range for this position is $175,000 - $185,000. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

Benefits offered for this position include health care; retirement benefits; paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time; parental leave; basic life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; as well as discretionary, performance-based bonuses.

#LI-Hybrid

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For technical difficulties with our online application, please contact us at [email protected]. Our recruiting support team will respond as soon as possible.

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Gibson Dunn is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities.  We strive to ensure an inclusive and accessible hiring experience.  The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable participation in the application and recruitment process, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
 
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise take part in the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note, this is a dedicated email inbox established exclusively to assist applicants with accommodation request related to the recruitment process.  Inquiries about the status of an application or other non-accommodation matter will not receive a response.

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Notice to Recruitment Agencies: Gibson Dunn does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies, headhunters, or vendors. Resumes sent to any Gibson Dunn employee or attorney, or submitted by an agency through the direct candidate application portal will not establish agency ownership of the candidate and Gibson Dunn will not be expected to honor an agency’s terms or pay any related fees. When a role is open for agency submissions, Gibson Dunn will notify our current agency partners and make the position available through our Agency Portal in Greenhouse. Only agencies that have been given portal access are authorized to submit candidates for consideration. Agencies without a current agreement that wish to be considered for future opportunities may contact [email protected]. Please do not send resumes to this address.