Overview
Business Development Manager – Technology (TMT Sector) Jobs in Johannesburg Metropolitan Area at Bowmans (Law Firm)
Title: Business Development Manager – Technology (TMT Sector)
Company: Bowmans (Law Firm)
Location: Johannesburg Metropolitan Area
PURPOSE:
The Business Development Manager (BDM) for the Technology sector is responsible for driving strategic growth, client development, and market positioning for the firm’s Technology Sector Practice. This role operates as a strategic advisor to partners and sector leadership, with accountability for shaping and executing client strategies, sector plans, and go-to-market initiatives that deliver measurable revenue growth and strengthen the firm’s presence in the Technology sector. The BDM plays a critical role in integrating client insight, market intelligence, and firm capabilities, ensuring a coordinated and commercially focused approach to business development.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Relevant degree (Business, Marketing, Law or related field)
- 5–8+ years’ experience in business development in professional services, legal, consulting, or Technology environments
- Demonstrated experience in the Technology / TMT sector (essential)
- Strong understanding of technology markets, digital transformation, and regulatory landscape
- Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders
- Legal qualification (advantageous)
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Strategic Client Development & Relationship Management
- Drive the development and execution of strategic client relationship plans for priority Technology clients
- Provide relationship intelligence (client priorities, decision-maker mapping, competitor positioning)
- Identify and drive cross-selling and client growth opportunities
- Align client engagement strategies with firm and sector priorities
- Lead client feedback programmes and ensure insights inform client strategy and service delivery
- Coordinate strategic client engagements, ensuring partners are fully briefed and follow-ups are executed
Sector Strategy, Planning & Execution
- Lead annual and quarterly BD planning processes for the Technology sector and aligned practices
- Define sector priorities, client targeting strategy, and growth opportunities
- Ensure alignment of BD plans with firm strategy and commercial objectives
- Translate strategy into clear execution plans with measurable outcomes
- Track performance, provide reporting to leadership, and drive accountability for delivery
Execution Excellence & Performance Management
- Support partners in executing BD plans through structured, outcome-driven initiatives
- Monitor pipeline development, revenue contribution, and BD ROI
- Identify gaps, risks, and opportunities, and proactively recommend actions
- Ensure integration of market intelligence, client insights, and competitive analysis into BD execution
- Provide data-driven insights to inform decision-making
Sector Collaboration & Client Governance
- Collaborate closely with Sector BDMs and Client Relationship Managers to ensure:
- Alignment on shared priority clients and sector strategies
- Consistency in client engagement across practices
- Transparency in client plans, opportunities, and ownership
- Support governance of firm-wide priority clients, ensuring a seamless client experience
- Drive coordination to avoid duplication and maximise cross-practice opportunities
Market Intelligence & Thought Leadership (Technology Focus)
- Develop and maintain deep insight into the Technology sector (e.g., AI, fintech, telecoms, digital platforms)
- Monitor market, regulatory, and competitor developments
- Translate insights into strategic opportunities, campaigns, and client engagement strategies
- Drive development of thought leadership and market-facing content to enhance firm positioning
Strategic Pitches & Opportunity Conversion
- Lead and contribute to strategic, high-value pitches and proposals
- Develop compelling value propositions and differentiated messaging
- Align opportunities with client needs, sector strategy, and firm strengths
- Track pipeline and contribute to conversion strategy and win analysis
Campaigns, Events & ROI-Driven Profile Raising
- Provide strategic input into event and conference planning, including objectives, targeting, and budget alignment
- Ensure all initiatives are aligned to firm positioning and deliver measurable ROI
- Identify and drive speaking opportunities, sponsorships, and high-value networking platforms
- Work with the PR and communications team to develop strategies for key initiatives
- Work with the Events team on execution, ensuring strong strategic oversight and follow-through
International Strategy & Market Engagement
- Lead strategic planning for international BD trips and market visits
- Define trip objectives aligned to client retention, new business, and market expansion
- Identify priority clients, prospects, and markets
- Ensure budgets and resource allocation align with strategic priorities and ROI expectations
- Support partners in maximising impact through targeted engagements, speaking opportunities, and networking
Directories Strategy & Market Positioning
- Provide strategic advisory on directory and ranking strategy (Chambers, Legal 500, IFLR)
- Guide decisions on partner prioritisation, positioning, and new entrants
- Oversee submission quality, messaging, and alignment to firm positioning
- Drive continuous improvement in rankings and market perception
BD Infrastructure, Credentials & Enablement
- Ensure partner CVs and credentials are strategically positioned, regularly updated, and aligned to directory and pitch requirements
- Set cadence and ensure compliance
- Define positioning (key deals, awards, differentiation)
- Manage escalations and delivery timelines
- Oversee development of high-quality BD collateral aligned to Technology sector messaging
- Drive effective use of CRM systems (InterAction) to capture insights and activity
- Ensure integrity of pipeline tracking, reporting, and BD data
- Collaborate across business services to deliver integrated support
COMPETENCIES:
- Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
- Strong Technology sector insight
- Senior stakeholder influencing and advisory capability
- Client-centric and relationship-driven mindset
- Analytical, insight-driven decision making
- Strong communication and storytelling skills
- Proactive, ownership-driven, and results-oriented
- Ability to balance strategy with execution
"Bowmans is committed to achieving the objectives set in its transformation charter, and the targets in its employment equity plan. All recruitment decisions will be taken with due consideration being given to these objectives”