BD Client Development Manager / Senior Manager

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading legal firm at a pivotal stage of its growth in Saudi Arabia, supporting a market-leading practice in one of the firm’s most strategic jurisdictions. The role is integral to building a structured, visible, and sophisticated Client & Market Development function in Riyadh, moving from reactive activity toward proactive market positioning and client engagement. The successful candidate will help shape how the firm presents itself in the market, supports partners in winning work, and differentiates itself in an increasingly competitive legal landscape.

Job Description
AS&H the company is seeking a Client Development Manager / Senior Manager to support the firm's strategic growth ambitions in Saudi Arabia. Reporting to the Head of Business Development, the role will focus on driving client development initiatives, supporting key client programmes, identifying growth opportunities, and helping partners win and retain business across priority sectors and clients. The successful candidate will work closely with partners and lawyers to:

• Develop client relationship strategies
• Coordinate business development campaigns
• Lead the preparation of pitches, proposals, and credentials
• Manage legal directory submissions
• Support selected profile-raising activities, including market-facing events, communications, and thought leadership initiatives, ensuring the firm's market-leading position is effectively communicated to clients and the wider market.
  In addition to delivering client development initiatives, the successful candidate will be expected to act as a coach, mentor, and role model for a talented and ambitious team. The role requires a commitment to developing colleagues, sharing expertise, embedding best practice, and helping to build a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the Client & Market Development function.

Key Responsibilities

Client Development and Relationship Management

• Support the development and implementation of client development plans for priority clients and key growth targets.
• Work with partners to identify client opportunities, cross-selling initiatives, and relationship-building activities.
• Maintain and develop client intelligence, including client profiles, relationship maps, and opportunity pipelines.
• Coordinate client feedback and client listening initiatives, identifying trends and opportunities to strengthen relationships.
• Support strategic client accounts and key client programmes, helping drive revenue growth and client retention.
• Monitor market developments, client activity, and competitor initiatives to identify opportunities for the firm.
• Support the delivery of targeted client events, roundtables, and thought leadership initiatives aligned with strategic client objectives.
• Coordinate selected communications and marketing activities that support client development priorities.
• Measure and report on the effectiveness and return on investment of client-facing initiatives.

Pitches, Proposals & Winning Work

• Lead the preparation and coordination of high-quality pitches, proposals, Expressions of Interest (EOIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and panel submissions.
• Work with partners and lawyers to develop compelling, client-focused value propositions and win strategies.
• Draft and tailor credentials, capability statements, and matter summaries for use in proposals and business development opportunities.
• Maintain and enhance the firm's Saudi credentials database, ensuring experience is current and easily accessible.
• Track pitch opportunities, outcomes, and lessons learned, producing reporting and insights to improve future success rates.
• Coordinate internal approval processes and ensure compliance with firm standards and procedures.

Market Intelligence & Strategic Planning

• Conduct research on clients, markets, sectors, and competitors to support business development activities and partner initiatives.
• Produce briefing materials for client meetings, pitches, and strategic planning discussions.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory developments, and investment activity relevant to the firm's priority sectors.
• Support the identification and tracking of emerging opportunities within Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

Legal Directories & Rankings

• Manage submissions to legal directories including Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, IFLR1000, and other relevant rankings.
• Coordinate referee programmes and liaise with partners to maximize participation and client responses.
• Maintain matter records and supporting evidence required for directory submissions.
• Analyze ranking results and competitor performance to identify opportunities for improving market positioning.
• Work closely with practice groups to develop annual directory strategies and submission calendars.

Internal Collaboration & Operational Excellence

• Build strong relationships with partners, lawyers, and Business Professional teams across the firm.
• Ensure best practice use of CRM systems and business development tools.
• Maintain accurate BD reporting, opportunity tracking, and management information.
• Share knowledge and best practices across the Client & Market Development function.
• Act as a trusted adviser, coach, and mentor to junior members of the Client & Market Development team, providing guidance, support, and constructive feedback to assist their professional development.
• Champion best practice across business development, client development, pitch management, legal directory submissions, and CRM usage, helping to raise standards and drive consistency across the team.
• Support the development of team capabilities through knowledge sharing, training, and the introduction of innovative approaches, tools, and processes.

Qualifications
Your Experience

• 7+ years’ experience in business development, marketing, or communications, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Significant experience in running client development programmes within a leading law firm or professional services environment.
• A strong track record of managing pitches, proposals, and competitive tenders.
• Experience preparing legal directory submissions and working with rankings organizations.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and confidence working with senior partners and clients.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify growth opportunities.
• Excellent written communication, drafting, and project management skills.
• Experience using CRM systems and business development technologies.
• A team player that is also proactive, highly organized, and has a results-oriented approach.

Additional Information
How We Will Support You
From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and develop your expertise and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching, and mentoring, to technical and personal development skills-based training.

Hybrid Working
This role follows a 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way in line with the hybrid working policy.

Equal Opportunities
At AS&H the company, we forge an inclusive culture, where diverse perspectives are recognized and valued. It’s a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities to thrive and succeed. We comply with the law and regulations in every location where we operate and we are committed to delivering fair and equal access to all applicants and employees irrespective of background. This applies across all aspects of employment from recruitment and selection to development, progression, and day-to-day working life.