Global Head of Business Development - Finance

Job Description

We are recruiting a Global Head of Business Development to support our world renowned Finance practice.

A&O Shearman's finance team is renowned as one of the strongest and deepest in the world, with top-tier lawyers located in all the major markets and extensive experience across the spectrum of complex financial transactions. Our Marketing team contributes to the setting and achievement of the firm's business objectives, which include supporting our partners and associates in their pursuit of becoming our clients' trusted advisers, building and maintaining long‑lasting, deep institutional client relationships, winning new clients, increasing the visibility of the firm globally, and positioning the firm as the thought leader among the global elite law firms.

The function works as one team across the globe with very close collaboration between the central groups and professionals supporting offices, practice groups, sectors, and clients.

This role is centered on driving growth in an area of strategic importance for the firm and requires building relationships with partners and key stakeholders across the business. You will be an agent for change, proactively and positively disrupting the way we go to market. The role's primary focus will be on (i) Global Financial Markets (derivatives and structured finance, securitization (including CLOs), international debt capital markets and corporate trust and agency) and (ii) Debt Finance (private credit/direct lending, private equity/sponsor side debt, syndicated bank/bond lender side debt, fund finance and trade and commodities/asset‑based lending).

The successful candidate will also play a key role in identifying synergies, overlap, and opportunities encompassing (iii) Restructuring (capital solutions, corporate governance, counter party risk, liability management, distressed M&A and litigation and structuring advice/downside protection analysis) and (iv) Real Estate Finance (construction, senior and mezzanine, A/B structures and preferred equity; distressed loan acquisitions; workouts and restructuring of distressed investments (including loan‑to‑own strategies);

real estate loan and CMBS workouts).

• Drive revenue growth for the global finance practice by targeting high‑value opportunities.
• Develop and implement a clear, market‑driven strategy to position the practice to win more work, strengthen relationships with key clients, and secure new business.
• Prioritize business origination by identifying and pursuing prospects, ensuring effective collaboration between partners and BD teams to secure mandates.

• Foster a unified approach to client engagement and business development by breaking down barriers between products, markets, and practices, and integrating efforts across teams and practice areas.
• Work across internal organizational boundaries to ensure BD activity is aligned, best practices are shared, and any gaps or overlaps in current approaches are addressed.
• Ensure all BD initiatives supplement and complement the work of existing BD managers and senior roles, with clear delineation of responsibilities to avoid duplication of effort.

• Take responsibility for executing BD initiatives, freeing up partner time and ensuring all activity directly supports revenue generation and maximises cross‑selling opportunities.
• Lead and facilitate direct, practical conversations with clients and internally to identify and secure new business opportunities.

• Use market data and competitor analysis to anticipate client needs, spot trends, and position the firm ahead of competitors.
• Ensure all BD activity is closely aligned with commercial goals, focusing resources on the most promising opportunities for revenue and market share growth.

• Track and report on BD results, using data and client feedback to refine strategies and improve return on investment.
• Lead, manage, and develop a results‑driven finance BD team,…