Head of Business Development

Job Vacancy: Head of Business Development

Industry: Legal Services

Employment Type: Full-time

Gross Salary: Kshs. 200,000 – 250,000

Location: Nairobi

Role Summary

The Head of Business Development is a senior leadership position tasked with driving the firm’s growth agenda and strengthening its market positioning across key jurisdictions. This role provides strategic oversight for cross-border client acquisition and serves as the firm’s central authority on high-stakes tenders, bids, and RFP processes. You will lead the firm in delivering disciplined, high-quality submissions that align with international best practices and commercial objectives, ensuring a competitive edge in complex, multi-jurisdictional environments.

The Role

Strategic Growth & Market Positioning

• Define and execute a comprehensive, firm-wide business development strategy to hit aggressive revenue targets.

• Identify and penetrate new sectors and international markets through structured pipeline management.

• Drive thought leadership and brand positioning initiatives to enhance the firm's reputation across priority jurisdictions.

• Conduct in-depth market intelligence to identify emerging growth areas and competitive threats.

Tenders, Bids & RFP Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end management of all tenders and RFPs, ensuring compliance with legal, financial, and risk requirements.

• Establish robust bid governance frameworks, including approval thresholds and quality control standards.

• Oversee the creation of compelling proposals, capability statements, and pitch materials that resonate with global clients.

• Analyze bid performance metrics, such as win rates and revenue conversion, to continuously refine the firm’s approach.

• Centralize the firm’s knowledge base, maintaining a comprehensive library of past proposals and credentials.

Client Engagement & Governance

• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key clients and institutional partners.

• Collaborate with Partners and Practice Heads to shape client engagement strategies for high-priority accounts.

• Exercise decision authority on "go/no-go" recommendations for strategic pursuits.

• Approve resource allocations for major pursuits and ensure all submissions align with the firm's financial policies.

• Mentor and develop internal business development resources to build high-performance capabilities.

Qualifications & Background

Professional Profile

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; an MBA or equivalent advanced degree is preferred.

• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience in business development within a law firm or professional services environment.

• International Exposure: Proven track record in international business development and managing cross-border client growth.

• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in leveraging CRM systems and the Microsoft Office suite to drive business initiatives.

Essential Criteria

• Bid Mastery: Exceptional track record in managing complex tenders and international RFPs.

• Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of market analysis, negotiation, and business strategy execution.

• Stakeholder Management: Executive presence with the ability to influence senior Partners and high-level external clients.

• Operational Agility: Capable of leading complex, end-to-end projects in multi-jurisdictional settings.

• Communication: Refined written and verbal communication skills with a focus on persuasive, executive-level messaging.

Incentives & Strategic Value

• Competitive Compensation: A high-level gross salary of Kshs. 200,000 – 250,000.

• Leadership Influence: Direct impact on the firm’s international expansion and strategic commercial direction.

• Professional Stature: Opportunity to operate at the peak of the legal industry, managing multi-jurisdictional accounts.

• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside top-tier legal Partners in a high-performance corporate culture.

If you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualifications and experience, please send your CV only quoting the job title in the email subject (Business Development Manager – Legal) before 20th April 2026.