Senior Business Development Executive

Overview

Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm, recognised for combining legal expertise with a deep understanding of our clients’ commercial objectives. With over 400 specialist lawyers, we provide a full-service offering tailored to the needs of businesses and individuals, delivering high-quality, practical legal advice across a range of sectors.

Our Marketing and Business Development team plays a central role in driving the firm’s strategic growth ambitions. Comprising 28 dedicated professionals, the team has been recognised as a finalist for Best Business Support Team at the British Legal Awards in both 2024 and 2025, reflecting its impact in delivering commercially focused and innovative BD initiatives across the firm and a testament to its collaborative approach.

We are looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Senior Business Development Executive to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone to develop their career in a collaborative, high-performing environment working closely with senior stakeholders across an international platform.

The role

This role is based in our London office and supports a portfolio of strategically important sectors and practice areas, including Education, Sports, Media & Creative, Employment and Immigration.

These are significant areas of the firm's business, with ambitious growth plans, market-leading expertise and a diverse client base spanning institutions, businesses, governing bodies, employers and individuals.

Working closely with the BD Manager, Team Partners and Sector Heads, you will play a key role in driving profile-raising, client development, campaigns, events and strategic business development initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity to work across a broad range of markets and build relationships with senior stakeholders across the firm.

Responsibilities

Client, Practice and Sector Growth

• Support the BDM with development and implementation of practice and sector business plans.
• Build a strong understanding of the team’s clients, markets and strategic priorities.
• Support the identification and pursuit of cross-selling and client development opportunities across the firm's practices and sectors.
• Analyse market, client and competitor intelligence to identify trends and opportunities.
• Take ownership of selected BD initiatives and campaigns from planning through to delivery and evaluation.
• Maintain high-quality CRM data and support the use of client insight to drive targeted BD activity.
• Coordinate and contribute to legal directory and award submissions.
• Develop and maintain credentials, pitches and marketing collateral.
• Capture and progress actions arising from BD and client strategy meetings.
• Provide responsive, high-quality support to partners and fee-earners on BD initiatives.

Events and Client Engagement

• Develop and manage sector-focused events, roundtables, conference sponsorship, webinars and networking opportunities that support client engagement and profile raising.
• Drive effective follow-up, including tracking attendance, gathering feedback and supporting relationship development activity.
• Evaluate marketing effectiveness and contribute to continuous improvement.

Digital and Campaign Activity

• Work with partners and sector teams alongside the BDM to develop integrated campaigns that raise profile, strengthen client relationships and support revenue growth. Advise on and support the use of social media to raise profile of the practice and individuals.
• Ensure website and intranet content is current, engaging and aligned with strategic priorities.
• Assist with e-marketing activity, including newsletters, ebriefs, campaign delivery, GDPR compliance and performance reporting.

Wider Contribution

• Contribute to firmwide BD and marketing projects as required.
• Take ownership of personal development and actively build BD and sector knowledge.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the BD function and wider firm.

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here.

We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact [email protected].

Essential & Desirable Criteria

What We’re Looking For

• 3-5 years' experience in a business development or marketing role within legal, professional services or a similar relationship-led environment. Experience supporting sector-focused business development programmes.
• Experience in, or exposure to, Education, Sport, Media & Creative, Employment or Immigration markets is desirable but not essential.
• A proactive, motivated individual with a strong interest in business development and client relationship management.
• Must have the ability to work alone and on own initiative but within a team environment.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in developing sector knowledge.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with confidence working with senior stakeholders.
• High attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.
• A collaborative team player with a positive, flexible approach.

What You’ll Gain

We see this role as an important step in building a long-term career in legal business development.

You will be supported to develop both your technical BD skills and commercial understanding through hands-on experience, exposure to senior stakeholders and involvement in strategic initiatives.

This role offers exposure to some of the firm's most dynamic and strategically important sectors and practice areas, providing significant opportunity to develop commercial, client development and strategic marketing expertise. The successful candidate will work closely with senior partners and have a clear pathway for progression within the Marketing & Business Development team.