Demo

Senior Manager, Business Development – M&A

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
York, NY Full Time
POSTED ON 4/20/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/4/2026
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Clients know they can rely on Davis Polk for their most challenging legal and business matters. From offices in the world's key financial centers and political capitals, our more than 1,000 lawyers collaborate seamlessly to deliver exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions. Visit davispolk.com.

Position Summary

The Business Development Department supports the firm across a broad spectrum of new business and client relationship-building activities, including the creation of new business proposals and firm marketing materials, client development initiatives, attorney profiling and market recognition, the upkeep of the databases that track firm experience and client intelligence, competitive and market analysis, as well as the coordination of industry sponsorships, events and speaking engagements. This Business Development Senior Manager will work closely with practice leadership and operational teams across the firm (e.g., PR & Communications, Digital Marketing, Events, Accounting) to develop and execute on key business development and marketing initiatives for Davis Polk’s M&A group.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Serve as primary point of contact for M&A partners in their marketing and business development efforts
  • Lead the strategy, development and execution of:
    • Responses to RFPs, customized pitches and business development presentations.
    • Pitch, print and web marketing materials, including advising on key messaging for pitches/brochures, practice descriptions and attorney biographies.
    • Responses for legal directories, awards and related industry guides (e.g., Chambers, Legal 500 and IFLR1000).
  • Oversee league table reporting process and experience capture with junior team member, ensuring deals are submitted and experience is captured in a timely manner.
  • Develop and execute on:
    • strategic marketing and business development plans on an annual basis.
    • best practices for M&A-focused business and client development initiatives and activities.
  • Monitor and track existing and prospective clients, competitor activity, and industry or market trends.
  • Develop a thorough understanding of the Firm’s practice and industry areas, attorney specialties, clients, and business development needs.
  • Prioritize and manage tight and conflicting deadlines.
  • Manage and mentor junior team member.
Qualifications/Position Requirements

  • Business development experience with law firms preferred.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with executive management and other senior business services professionals to create consensus-based support for strategies and processes.
  • Ability to maintain professional composure in high-pressure situations and a fast-paced, multi-authority environment.
  • Proven experience planning, developing, and implementing successful business growth strategies, support programs, and processes in a professional services environment.
  • Experience with legal-research / legal-news databases and resources (e.g., S&P Capital IQ, Mergermarket, LSEG, Bloomberg, Pitchbook, Debtwire, Preqin).
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills.
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with a sharp eye for detail.
  • Experience managing direct reports.
  • Ability to work confidently and collaboratively.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).

Education And/or Experience

  • 8 years of experience in business development and marketing, ideally within a law firm. Candidates with a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or private equity (PE) business development are strongly preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in marketing,

Compensation

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $230,000-$260,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Davis Polk offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Salary : $230,000 - $260,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Senior Manager, Business Development – M&A?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Senior Manager, Business Development – M&A career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$192,842 - $278,475
Income Estimation: 
$235,128 - $331,506
Income Estimation: 
$183,731 - $240,665
Income Estimation: 
$215,042 - $285,725
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

  • Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP York, NY
  • Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Clients know they ca... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP California, CA
  • Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Clients know they ca... more
  • 7 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Senior Manager, Business Development – M&A jobs in the York, NY area that may be a better fit.

  • RTM Business Group York, NY
  • Business Development Manager (Hybrid) RTM Business Group Hybrid in NY, NJ, CT Full-time 51-200 employees · Market Research Originally posted April 2026; th... more
  • 12 Days Ago

  • WithCoverage York, NY
  • Location: New York, NY Job Type: Full-Time About WithCoverage : WithCoverage replaces the traditional insurance brokerage with AI-supercharged risk managem... more
  • 3 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!