Specialist, Business Development - Capital Markets and Debt Finance (18 month FTC)

Our Business Development & Marketing team plays a critical role in enhancing the Firm’s reputation, expanding its client base and driving revenue growth. This team develops and implements strategic marketing plans to promote the Firm’s legal services, leveraging digital and traditional marketing channels to reach target audiences. They conduct market research to identify industry trends and client needs, positioning the Firm competitively within the legal marketplace. The team also manages client relationships, orchestrates business development initiatives, and seeks opportunities for partnerships and networking. Through compelling content creation, event planning and public relations efforts, they ensure that the Firm maintains a strong market presence and continues to attract and retain clients.

Position Summary

The Specialist, Business Development is a professional support resource within the BD team, responsible for delivering high-quality research, analysis, and process support across core business development activities. The role plays a key part in supporting BD Managers and teams with pitches and proposals, market and client research, and the effective operation of BD processes and systems.

The Specialist applies specialist knowledge of BD methodologies, tools, and best practices to support the execution of business development initiatives at a tactical level. Working closely with Managers, Senior Managers, and Coordinators, the role ensures that BD outputs are accurate, insightful, timely, and aligned with firm standards and priorities.

The Specialist contributes to continuous improvement of BD processes, supports data tracking and reporting, and provides technical guidance and informal mentoring to less experienced colleagues, helping to maintain consistency, quality, and efficiency across BD operations.

White & Case's Capital Markets and Debt Finance practices across EMEA are known for their expertise in complex, cross-border transactions. The Capital Markets team specializes in debt and equity issuance, high-yield transactions, regulatory capital, sovereign debt restructurings, and liability management, while the Debt Finance practice focuses on acquisition financings, leveraged buyouts, real estate lending, refinancing, and distressed lending. With a strong presence in London and other major financial hubs, these practices provide innovative solutions tailored to clients across industries, including emerging markets throughout the Middle East and Africa.

Duties And Accountabilities

Strategic planning and client cultivation

• Support the identification and qualification of new business opportunities by conducting research, analyzing market and client data, and preparing background materials for BD initiatives.
• Assist with client relationship mapping, tracking engagement, and providing insights to help inform client cultivation strategies.

Proposals and pitch excellence

• Contribute to the preparation and development of client pitches, proposals, and capability statements, ensuring materials are accurate, relevant, and aligned with client needs and firm priorities.
• Maintain and update pitch-related content, such as deal lists, lawyer bios, and case studies, and ensures consistency across BD outputs.

Positioning Practices & Partners

• Support the execution of thought leadership and market positioning activities by conducting research on industry trends, competitor activity, and client interests.
• Assist in the development and distribution of content for directory submission, rankings, awards, and external events, helping to raise the profile of the practice and its partners.

Cross-Practice & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Collaborate with BD managers, coordinators, and other business services teams to gather information, share insights, and support the delivery of integrated BD initiatives.
• Act as a key resource for data collection, analysis, and reporting, supporting cross-functional projects and process improvements.

Contributor capacity

• Provide technical, domain and / or process expertise to support the BD team, offering guidance on best practices and contributing to the continuous improvement of BD operations.
• May mentor or provide informal guidance to junior team members, supporting their development and knowledge of BD processes.

Performance and impact

• Conduct detailed analysis and investigations to identify opportunities for process improvement and increased BD effectiveness.
• Track and report on BD activities, ensuring data accuracy and supporting the measurement of BD performance against key metrics.

Essential Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience; professional certification an advantage where appropriate.
• Specialist technical expertise in business development disciplines (e.g., research, pitching support, market analysis, CRM, reporting), with strong knowledge of BD tools, methodologies, and best practices.
• Demonstrated