Manager, Business Development - Bankruptcy and Finance

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 New York, the Manager, Business Development will be responsible for driving the business development and visibility initiatives and priorities for the Bankruptcy, Finance, Derivatives, and Private Credit practices. Support for other practices, industry groups, and lawyers may be assigned as needed.

For their group of transactional practices, the business development manager will be responsible for providing guidance and input on business planning (including target lists, high impact client relationships, publishing and speaking opportunities, and other related initiatives) and drive execution. Along with other team members, this position will lead on related pitches and RFPs ensuring the firm is strategic in its approach and positioning itself to win the work.

This role will also work closely with business development colleagues to lead cross-practice initiatives (where applicable), contribute to team processes, and other strategic projects as needed.

This role reports to the Sr. Manager of Business Development and will manage one specialist based in New York.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the overall business development and marketing efforts for assigned practices as well as providing support for individual partner business objectives.
• Lead relevant directory submissions and contribute to relevant industry award submissions.
• Plan and oversee seminars, events (with events team support), and other targeted marketing activities.
• Collaborate with functional managers on relevant visibility and speaking opportunities, communications, recognition, and digital marketing initiatives.
• Lead and oversee preparation of pitches, RFPs (with RFP team support) and other client facing materials including leading strategy sessions, internal debriefs and tracking outcomes.
• Spearhead the drafting and maintaining of practice-specific marketing materials and collateral including deal lists and the collection of relevant matters as well as league table submissions.
• Support client development initiatives and cross-practice efforts, collaborating with colleagues to help identify and advance priority client opportunities and firmwide initiatives as the practices evolve.
• Function as a lead on additional related projects within the Department or Firm as assigned.
• Directly manage one specialist as well as contribute the broader development and advancement of the early tenure marketing team members.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional professional people skills and the ability to interact with lawyers at varying levels including firm leadership.
• Strong written communication, project, 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).
• Familiarity with AI tools including ChatGPT, Gemini, Co-Pilot, and others preferred.
• Outstanding critical thinking skills and 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 infrastructure and project finance knowledge preferred.

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

The annual compensation range for this position is $175-185k. 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.