Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager, Riyadh

Norton Rose Fulbright is seeking a Business Development Manager to join its team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time managerial role is central to supporting the firm’s expansion strategy in the Middle East, with a strong focus on business planning, client development, marketing initiatives, and profile-raising across the Kingdom and the wider region. The position requires 5-10 years of relevant experience.

Role Context and Team Integration

The Business Development Manager operates within the Marketing & Business Development (MBD) function for the Middle East region. The post holder will work proactively with Riyadh partners and global and regional MBD teams to implement strategically aligned and value-added initiatives, ensuring key global, regional, and office objectives are met. This role requires developing a strong understanding of the legal market, the firm's brand and proposition, and its growth ambitions and strategy. The role is based in Riyadh and reports to a Senior BD Manager in Dubai, working in close cooperation with the Head of the Riyadh office, local partners, and global marketing and business development teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Planning: Develop and implement annual business plans, budget proposals, and campaign plans for Riyadh. Oversee BD activity for relevant practices, including pitch management, event execution, marketing, communications, and client development. Drive cross-office and regional collaboration, monitor BD budgets, and support firm-wide/regional BD initiatives.
• Winning Work: Project manage transactional and strategic bids, providing input on approach and team formations. Draft, review, and edit content, manage document development, and ensure adherence to branding and pricing procedures. Facilitate client follow-up post-pitch, track actions, and assess feedback for behavioral change. Monitor panel appointments and develop high-quality materials for bids. Analyze win/lose rates and recommend performance improvements.
• Profile Raising: Collaborate with communications and PR teams to develop the firm's profile in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East through campaigns, marketing activities, collateral, and press. Measure performance in directories and league tables, agree target rankings with Middle East partners, and facilitate contributions using consistent positioning messages. Develop, manage, and run key client events and ensure all materials and communication channels are brand compliant and up-to-date.
• Client Development: Drive regional engagement in the firm-wide key client program and develop a specific program for Saudi Arabia. Support partners on key clients, conduct research and analysis to identify new opportunities, and facilitate participation in the client feedback program. Maintain awareness of relevant global and local marketing products for client use.
• Best Practice: Adhere to and develop best practices to improve efficiency and transparency for fee earners. Promote the use of the New Castle hub for operational support and encourage regional adherence to procedures and best practices with Norton Rose Fulbright systems, including InterAction and Experience Management.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in a legal and/or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and transforming commercial issues into business development opportunities.
• Ability to build a strong reputation within the business and deliver excellent service.
• Experience working directly with clients.

About Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm with over 3,000 lawyers advising clients across locations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. The firm provides a full scope of legal services to preeminent corporations and financial institutions worldwide. With over 7,000 employees globally, its culture is defined by shared ambition, global collaboration, and a one-team mindset, empowering individuals to think beyond boundaries and explore new opportunities.

Application Process

Candidates meeting the specified requirements are encouraged to apply for this full-time position in Riyadh.