Business Development Manager - White Collar Investigations & Defense

About the role

You will own the end to end business development strategy for a high profile set of litigation practices inside the Washington D.C. office. Your primary focus will be driving growth and visibility for White Collar Investigation and Defense matters including Anti Corruption work, FCPA, Anti Money Laundering, Congressional Investigations, and FCA or Qui Tam Defense. You will translate complex practice strengths into compelling narratives for external audiences and internal stakeholders. A core part of your role will be crafting and deploying creative legal strategies through targeted thought leadership and client engagement. You will be expected to challenge conventional approaches while maintaining the precision and vision that defines the firm's reputation. Success in this position will depend on your ability to build trust at the highest levels and convert that trust into sustainable business outcomes.

Key facts

What you'll do

Spearhead the development and execution of a multi year business plan that defines target client lists, high impact relationships, and priority publishing initiatives.

Champion the firm's positioning in White Collar Defense by leading pitch and RFP processes from initial strategy through final delivery in collaboration with the RFP team.

Architect and maintain a library of practice specific marketing materials, ensuring that case studies, matter summaries, and proof points remain current and impactful.

Elevate client relationships by partnering with service partners to identify new opportunities, deepen existing engagements, and secure referrals from key accounts.

Orchestrate visibility programs including digital marketing, directory participation, awards submissions, and speaker programs to enhance the firm's market profile.

Design and oversee seminars, webinars, and client events in coordination with the events team to generate pipeline and reinforce expertise.

Conduct ongoing market intelligence gathering to inform pitch strategies, competitive positioning, and long term practice development.

Manage a direct report and mentor early tenure team members, fostering a high performance, collaborative marketing culture.

Lead cross practice initiatives that leverage the firm's broader capabilities to create differentiated solutions for complex client problems.

Act as the primary business development strategist on selected matters, aligning internal resources to pursue win outcomes.

Drive the preparation of all client facing deliverables, ensuring clarity, rigor, and alignment with client expectations.

Own the end to end tracking of business development activities, measuring outcomes and adjusting approaches to maximize effectiveness.

Collaborate closely with functional managers to align visibility efforts with the firm's strategic priorities and growth objectives.

Ensure consistent application of firm standards and methodologies while enabling flexibility to adapt to client specific requirements.

Requirements

You must hold a university degree or equivalent qualification as a minimum educational threshold.

You will need at least 5 years of professional services experience, with legal services background strongly preferred.

You must demonstrate 2 or more years of team management experience prior to consideration for this role.

You are required to have hands on experience with strategic business development planning and pitching within a litigation and regulatory context.

You must possess exceptional professional interpersonal skills and be comfortable interacting with partners and senior leadership at all levels.

You will be expected to work in an environment characterized by shifting priorities and multiple competing constituents.

You must maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive client information.

You are required to be detail oriented and apply creative problem solving to overcome complex business development challenges.

Nice to have

Prior experience in government investigations, internal investigations, or compliance related matters is preferred.

Familiarity with legal industry standards for client communications, proposals, and billing practices.

Experience managing client relationships in a high stakes regulatory environment.

Practical notes

This is a full time position based in Washington, D.C.

The role involves significant interaction with partners, clients, and cross functional teams, requiring frequent travel within the region.

Employment decisions will be made in compliance with applicable local laws, including considerations related to criminal histories.