Business Development Manager

ABOUT GOWLING WLG

At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we’re proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other.

We’re intentional about building a workplace that’s both high-performing and supportive, ensuring that everyone is empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. Our culture is grounded in our shared values: Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, and Thrive Together. These values shape how we collaborate, lead, and succeed – across teams, time zones, and career paths.

Whether you’re pursuing a role in law or business services, explore what’s possible and make your mark with Gowling WLG.

PROFILE

The Business Development (BD) Manager is a member of the BD & Marketing team and plays a critical role in supporting the Firm’s revenue, profitability, and client and market growth in alignment with the Firm’s strategic plan. The successful candidate will provide BD support for a combination of practice groups and sectors and must be client-centric, a strategic thinker with strong business acumen, a skilled relationship builder, and a data-driven professional who can effectively translate market insights into actionable strategies that help accelerate growth. This role transcends traditional business enablement and coordination functions, focusing holistically on market intelligence, proactive opportunity identification, client account strategy and planning, go-to-market, and the execution of high-value pursuits.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Market Intelligence & Analysis:
• Conduct ongoing market and client research and analysis to identify needs, emerging trends and competitive landscapes to inform potential growth opportunities for particular practice groups and/or sectors based on the assigned portfolio.
• Develop, maintain, and share a comprehensive understanding of client needs, legal practice areas, industries and sectors, market dynamics, and competitor activities, demonstrating subject matter expertise and market awareness.
• Leverage existing financial systems, CRM and data sources to extract data, generate reports and dashboards that inform business development and growth strategies.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to practice group and sector leaders and stakeholders based on analysis and ongoing research.
• Proactively identify and recommend new business opportunities through market insights and analysis, go-to-market initiatives, and cross-firm collaboration, mobilizing resources to drive action once aligned.
• Collaborate with leaders and partners to develop targeted outreach strategies and cultivate and deepen relationships with clients, prospects, and key decision-makers.
• Build and/or activate client programs and sales initiatives that align with the Firm’s profitability drivers and strategic plan to grow the existing base, enable effective cross-sell and collaboration, and drive new revenue through client opportunities and innovative pursuits.
• Monitor and track industry developments and regulatory changes that may create new business opportunities and swiftly seize them when they arise.
• Develop, manage, and execute the annual business planning process and go-to-market plans for relevant practice groups and sectors, ensuring there is an aligned action/initiative roadmap that delivers on desired growth goals.
• Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of BD strategies and initiatives with a focus on creating impact, adjusting as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
• Engage in networking activities, industry events, conferences, and seminars; develop strategic partnerships to promote the firm’s services, expand relationships, and deliver leads.
• Build and execute strategic account plans for designated key clients, focusing on deepening relationships and expanding purchased services to accelerate strategic growth.
• Support regular client reviews to assess satisfaction, identify needs, and explore opportunities for cross-selling and up-selling.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to partners, bringing insights, foresight, solutions, and measurable value to their growth efforts so they can focus on servicing client needs.
• Develop a strong understanding of clients, sectors, and practices to facilitate collaboration between internal groups and stakeholders and bring the best of the full Firm to our clients.
• Strategic Pursuits Planning & Support:
• Lead and support the development of strategic pursuit plans for high-value opportunities.
• Collaborate with partners, the Proposals team, and across the BD & Marketing group to create innovative and compelling proposals, pitches, and presentations that effectively communicate Gowling WLG's capabilities, value and differentiation - pursuits are sharper, more compelling, and more client-relevant because of your involvement.
• Manage the pursuit process with active involvement and accountability, ensuring timely and effective execution of all activities.
• Track and report on the success of strategic pursuits, analyzing wins and losses to identify areas for improvement.
• Support practice groups and sector groups with initiatives that strengthen client-focused go-to-market execution, offer cross-sector collaboration, and deliver measurable ROI through events, conferences, and strategic recognition opportunities.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among practice and sector groups and business development professionals.
• Support the implementation and adoption of CRM, reporting systems, sales training programs, and other tools and technologies.
• Bring a commercial lens, balancing ambition with pragmatism to create impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in business development, sales, or marketing within a professional services environment; legal and/or sector experience considered a strong asset.
• Proven track record of success in identifying and closing new business opportunities, including interpreting financial information to create actionable sales strategies.
• Strategic thinker with a results-oriented mindset and curiosity to understand clients, markets and opportunities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills – a skilled storyteller with the ability to persuade senior audiences.
• Highly accountable and proactive self-starter focused on delivering results.
• Effective team player with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Superior project management, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of best practice sales methodologies, market research, and analysis techniques.
• Skilled collaborator with the ability to influence, connect and bring people and groups together, while also efficiently working independently.
• Experience with leading or participating in annual business planning to influence the strategic direction of a group or organization remains an asset.
• Deep understanding of marketing and go-to-market strategies and channels.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and other business development tools.

Benefits/Perks

Gowling WLG’s total rewards program is designed to foster a culture where high performance and personal well-being go hand-in-hand. We support your career and life with:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance
• Benefits coverage for Firm members and their dependents from day one!
• 15+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility
• Parental leave top-up for 26 weeks (after 12 months of full-time employment)
• Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match
• Financial protection through short & long-term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more

The starting range for this role is $120,000 to $150,000. Starting salary will be determined based on an applicant’s individual skills, competencies and unique qualifications. Gowling WLG employees have the potential to exceed this range based on tenure and performance.

This position is currently vacant and is open to both internal and external candidates. Gowling WLG is recruiting for this role to support ongoing firm needs and team operations.

Gowling WLG may use tools within our applicant tracking system that include artificial intelligence–supported features, such as automated candidate matching. These tools do not make hiring decisions; all screening, assessments, and selections are reviewed and completed by human recruiters and hiring managers.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are in need of accommodation or support at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.