Business Development Manager, Competition/Antitrust, Regulation & Trade (CRT) Full time NEW

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Key responsibilities:

The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing the practice’s strategic objectives and supporting the development and delivery of initiatives aimed at:

• Driving business growth from both new and existing clients;

• Strengthening relationships with key clients and enhancing our appeal to prospective clients;

• Elevating the profile of the CRT practice in Brussels and across EMEA; and

• Embedding a client-focused approach to business development that supports a high-performing, profitable practice.

Strategic BD Planning and Execution

• Grow key client relationships across offices and practice areas, aligned to the CRT business plan. Identify and coordinate cross-selling opportunities with other practice areas, sector specialists, and relationship partners, encouraging partners to win work collaboratively.

• Develop scalable product propositions that maximise revenue and profitability, while creating relationship opportunities in priority sectors.

• Ensure connectivity and continuous improvement in business development activity across the associate cohort. Contribute to and deliver structured BD training to legal professionals at all levels.

• Manage the CRT BD and marketing budget for Brussels and EMEA, ensuring effective allocation of resources and demonstrable return on investment.

Pitches, Proposals and Capability Statements

• Lead and manage strategic BD pitch support for the CRT team.

• Establish effective processes to ensure timely partner and associate input into pitches and tenders.

• Act as a key conduit to the broader region for CRT, working in tandem with the BDM in London and inputting into cross-practice and sector pitches, ensuring alignment on messaging and delivery against deadlines.

• Manage and maintain pitch precedents for CRT.

• Work with the design team to develop bespoke materials.

• Develop strong, consistent key selling messages.

• Support pitch preparation and rehearsals.

• Manage communications, including internal and external debrief processes.

Directories, Awards and League Tables

• Lead all aspects of directory submissions for CRT Brussels, working closely with partners and lawyers to develop strategic messaging, matter highlights, referees, and partner profiles.

• Lead award submissions, including development of awards strategy and key messaging.

• Maintain and strengthen competition and trade rankings, with a clear year-on-year improvement strategy.

• Monitor and analyse competitor positioning in key directories and use insights to inform the submissions strategy.

Profile, Thought Leadership and Marketing

• Project-manage the development of marketing collateral with design and production teams, including materials tailored to target markets.

• Provide BD and marketing guidance on new product launches.

• Liaise with PR/communications teams on media opportunities.

• Coordinate with lawyers and Knowledge Counsel on external publications and client materials.

• Work with the BD Manager in London, Knowledge Counsel, and partners to develop and deliver strategic thought leadership campaigns.

• Lead the creation of client-facing materials, target mailing lists, and delivery channels (e.g. webinars, LinkedIn campaigns, direct mailings).

• Develop a digital engagement strategy for the CRT practice (LinkedIn, webinars, podcasts, etc.) and collaborate with the firm’s digital marketing team to increase online visibility and engagement.

Client and Event Engagement

• Plan and deliver client-facing events in Brussels and across EMEA (seminars, receptions, webinars), aligned with the CRT business plan and sector priorities.

• Build and maintain a pipeline of speaking opportunities and conference sponsorships for CRT partners.

• Develop and manage the events strategy, including budgets and ROI measurement.

• Coordinate with external event partners.

• Implement post-event follow-up processes to convert engagement into business opportunities.

• Ensure feedback is captured and reported to partners and teams in a structured and consistent way.

• Support and enhance Client Relationship Management activity.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Appropriate degree or postgraduate qualification; MBA or equivalent business qualification preferred.

• Significant knowledge and expertise in business development, sales, and account relationship management within professional services.

• Knowledge of customer relationship management principles and practices in a service delivery environment.

• Demonstrated experience in building strategic relationships, managing clients, and pursuing new business.

• Experience of leading and influencing cross-functional teams, including without direct line management authority; comfortable working in a matrix structure.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Able to confidently get message across to senior audiences; presents with clarity, energy, confidence, and enthusiasm.

• Able to make complex decisions to ensure the firm’s objectives are met and develops new, innovative concepts or original approaches without guidance from others.

Competencies

Personal Leadership

• Energises those around them, simplifies complexity and makes quality decisions.

• Brings perspective and a constructive approach to high pressure situations and directs attention to solutions.

• Makes sound commercial decisions based on a clear understanding of the business.

• Acts decisively even on the basis of incomplete information.

Collaborates with others

• Develops innovative solutions by valuing diversity of thought, expertise and experience.

• Brings a positive energy to the way they work and inspires this in others.

• Draws on internal networks to bring people with the right skills and expertise together to develop solutions.

Builds High Performing Teams

• Builds highly engaged teams that are diverse and inclusive and can excel in a range of situations.

• Creates an environment that encourages personal accountability, and builds the confidence of others by highlighting their strengths and achievements.

Focuses on Clients

• Always acts with the firm’s clients in mind.

• Prioritises initiatives that will positively impact the client experience and their business.

• Develops solutions that balance client needs and the sustainable profitability of the firm.

• Takes active steps to cultivate and maintain an excellent reputation in the market.

Innovates

• Leads and influences change.

• Seeks out market trends and introduces relevant ideas for competitive advantage.

• Envisions ways for the firm to differentiate itself and is driven to achieve this.

Achieves results

• Makes things happen in a complex environment.

• Remains focused on long term objectives and broad firm issues.

Team

Business Development

Full time

Location

Brussels

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.