Senior Manager: Business Development (Private Equity / M&A)

Overview

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

 

If you thrive in a collaborative environment that values exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, we invite you to consider joining our Commercial department in our New York, or Chicago office as a Senior Manager: Business Development (M&A/Private Equity).

 

The Senior Manager: Business Development serves as a strategic advisor and growth partner to Mayer Brown’s M&A and Private Equity practices, helping drive market position, client expansion, and revenue growth across two of the firm’s most significant practice areas. Working closely with practice and BD leadership, the Senior Manager develops and executes go-to-market strategies, identifies high-value opportunities, and leads strategic pursuits involving private equity sponsors, corporate acquirers, financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, infrastructure funds, hedge funds, family offices, and other institutional investors.

 

The role leads sophisticated pitches, client development initiatives, thought leadership campaigns, and market-facing programs that strengthen client relationships and enhance the firm’s profile. As a key connector across practices, industry groups, and regions, the Senior Manager drives collaboration, cross-selling, and integrated client solutions that leverage the full breadth of Mayer Brown’s capabilities. Success in this role requires strong commercial acumen, deep knowledge of M&A and private equity markets, and the ability to influence stakeholders across a complex organization. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution and a results-oriented mindset focused on converting market opportunities into measurable business outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions: 

 

Business Plans & Infrastructure

• Develops and leads annual marketing and business development planning focused on priorities outlined by M&A and PE practice leadership, including thought leadership platforms, communications, and client outreach that translate market developments and deal activity into client engagement opportunities
• Partners with Business Development & Marketing department leadership and M&A/PE practice leaders to develop annual budgets and strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with firmwide priorities and cross-practice objectives
• Provides senior-level leadership to ensure that M&A and PE business development activities are coordinated across related practices (including funds, capital markets, banking & finance, tax, and other transactional groups) and aligned with the firm’s overall strategic efforts
• Support the onboarding and integration of lateral lawyers

Business Development & Profile-Raising Initiatives

• Develops and drives implementation of strategic BD initiatives, including priority client targeting and campaigns, coordinated client outreach, thought leadership campaigns, client seminars, roadshows, and networking events designed to maximize market impact across M&A, PE, and related practices
• Monitors and analyzes M&A and PE market trends, deal activity, and competitive intelligence to identify emerging opportunities and client engagement strategies, positioning the firm’s lawyers as thought leaders on timely topics
• Drives cross-selling efforts and creates stronger integration among related practices and industries by identifying opportunities for collaboration and presenting a unified market strategy to clients
• Support the collection and maintenance of CRM-based contact and other data for marketing planning and for mailing lists
• Support in the collection and reporting of matter experience  
• Partners with BD&M colleagues to facilitate the completion of directory submissions; regional surveys; league table/industry survey content; specific lawyer and practice awards and accolades; and other profile-raising initiatives on behal