Manager, Business Development, Disputes - IP

White & Case is an elite global law firm serving leading companies, financial institutions and governments worldwide. Our long history as an international firm means we are perfectly placed to help our clients resolve their most complex legal challenges wherever they may be.

With lawyers operating from more than 40 locations, working around the world, we have invested heavily in building a high-quality full-service practice competing at the top of the market. We are distinguished by our on-the-ground presence in the world's key financial markets and our strengths in handling complex cross-border work.

It's not just about our global network of offices; it's the global interconnectedness of the Firm that our people, and our clients, value most. We work well together across geographic and practice boundaries. It's one of the reasons we attract and retain cross-border work.

Our lawyers are globally minded, enterprising, collaborative and committed to excellence. Our people represent 90 nationalities and speak 80 languages.

The Manager, Business Development is a business development process expert and operational leader responsible for the effective execution of core BD activities within the practice group. The role ensures high-quality delivery of business development work, manages key BD systems and processes, and supports partners, client teams, and BD leadership in driving growth, client engagement, and market positioning.

The Manager applies strong technical expertise across BD disciplines-such as pitching, client planning, CRM usage, and market analysis-to support client relationship management and new business generation. Working closely with Senior Managers and Associate Directors, the role contributes to the execution of agreed BD strategies and ensures alignment with firm standards, priorities, and ways of working.

The Manager leads day-to-day BD operations within their area, manages coordinators and specialists, drives process improvement, and ensures BD activity is delivered efficiently, consistently, and in compliance with firm policies.

Strategic planning and client cultivation

• Support the execution of client and business development strategies by managing research, client mapping, and market analysis to identify and qualify new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with partners, RSHs, and BD teams to develop and implement client plans, track engagement, and support client relationship management initiatives.
• Provide practical insights and recommendations to improve client targeting, segmentation, and outreach effectiveness.

Proposals and pitch excellence

• Lead the preparation and coordination of client proposals, pitches, and capability statements, ensuring content is tailored, accurate, and aligned with client needs and firm strategy.
• Manage the collection and organization of deal lists, credentials, and supporting materials for pitches.
• Coordinate input from stakeholders and ensures timely delivery of high-quality proposals.

Positioning Practices & Partners

• Support the delivery of thought leadership, market positioning, and external engagement activities for the practice group.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to develop content, track rankings, and organize events that raise the profile of the practice and its partners.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and competitor positioning to inform BD initiatives.

Cross-Practice & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with BD leadership, partners, and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and consistency in BD activities.
• Facilitate information sharing and collaboration across practice groups, industry teams, and business services functions.
• Act as a key point of contact for the coordination of BD projects and initiatives.

Contributor capacity

• Manage workflow and resource allocation for junior team members (coordinators, specialists), providing guidance, feedback, and support to ensure high standards of delivery.
• Act as a role model for professional conduct, operational excellence, and collaborative teamwork.
• Provide technical and process expertise to support the development of the BD team.

Performance and impact

• Monitor and report on BD activity, tracking key metrics and analyzing results to inform continuous improvement.
• Implement process improvements and best practices to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of BD operations.
• Ensure compliance with firm policies, procedures, and data quality standards in all BD activities.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; relevant professional qualifications an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience delivering a wide range of operational and tactical business development activities within a professional services environment.
• Strong technical expertise in business development methodologies, processes, systems, and best practices (e.g., pitching, client planning, CRM, market analysis), with the ability to resolve complex operational issues within scope.
• Experience managing coordinators and/or specialists, including workflow allocation, quality control, coaching, and day-to-day supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data and insights to optimize processes and improve BD delivery.
• Good commercial awareness and understanding of market and client dynamics, applied pragmatically to support BD initiatives.
• Clear and effective communication skills, enabling collaboration with partners, BD colleagues, and other business services teams.
• This role has formal management responsibility for business development coordinators and/or specialists, including day-to-day supervision, work allocation, coaching, performance feedback, and support for professional development.

• This role reports to Senior Manager, Business Development, Intellectual Property.
• This is an in person role to be based in Silicon Valley, New York, or Washington D.C.

Our Internal Recruitment team are responsible for all end-to-end lateral recruitment process. All agencies must sign White & Case terms of business which are often specific. Candidates submitted by an agency without terms of business agreed with the appropriate office, and/or outside of our online application tracking system, will not be considered a formal introduction. Any applications and CVs sent directly to White & Case Partners and employees will not be accepted as formal introductions. If you have any questions, please contact the Americas Lateral Recruitment team.

White & Case is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm's policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact talent.acquisition@whitecase.com.

White & Case LLP offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, 401(k) retirement savings, vacation time, and leave programs (including parental leave). Exempt roles are also performance bonus eligible.

¹1The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.