Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Lead the firm’s growth strategy, brand positioning & client engagement across East Africa

Member of Management Team | Reports Directly to the Partnership

LOCATION

Kampala, Uganda

INDUSTRY

Legal Services

REPORTS TO

The Partnership

TYPE

Full-Time

Are you a strategic, commercially-minded leader who thrives at the intersection of law, business, and brand? A premier East African law firm is seeking an exceptional Business Development Manager to shape how the firm is perceived, positioned, and chosen across Uganda and across the region.

A Seat at the Table, Literally

This role sits within the firm’s Management Team and reports directly to the Partnership.

You will not be executing from the sidelines you will be in the room where decisions are made, contributing to the firm’s strategic direction alongside its most senior leaders.

 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Strategic Leadership & Management Team Contribution

•    Contribute to firm-wide strategic planning as a member of the Management Team

•    Advise the Partnership on market positioning, growth opportunities, and competitive strategy

•    Represent BD at management-level discussions on firm direction, investment, and priorities

•    Lead BD planning cycles aligned to the firm’s annual and long-term strategic objectives

Business Development & Client Growth

•    Develop and execute firm-wide BD strategies aligned to the Partnership’s growth objectives

•    Manage a Key Client Programme; client listening sessions, dedicated relationship teams, and annual satisfaction tracking

•    Identify cross-selling, upselling, and new mandate opportunities across practice groups

•    Maintain pipeline reports, win/loss analysis, and BD ROI metrics reported to the Partnership

Proposals, Pitches & Bidding

•    Lead preparation of RFPs, EOIs, tenders, capability statements, and pitch decks

•    Develop sector-specific BD strategies across Energy, Financial Services, M&A, Telecoms, and Public Procurement

•    Own competitive intelligence; pricing benchmarks, market movements, and competitor tracking

Legal Directories & Rankings

•    Lead submissions to Chambers Africa, The Legal 500, and IFLR1000

•    Manage year-round researcher and editorial relationships proactively

•    Coordinate lawyer and client referee submissions across all practice groups

Marketing, Brand & Digital Strategy

•    Oversee all brand collateral, corporate communications, and brand guidelines enforcement

•    Develop and execute content strategy across LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

•    Drive performance analytics and continuously refine digital strategy for reach and engagement

Thought Leadership & Public Relations

•    Develop articles, white papers, blog posts, and press releases positioning the firm as a leading voice

•    Secure speaking opportunities, media features, and conference participation for the Partnership and firm leadership

•    Build and maintain relationships with media, editors, and thought leadership platforms

Partner & Lawyer BD Coaching

•    Coach individual lawyers and partners on personal BD habits, client development, and pipeline management

•    Facilitate structured BD planning sessions for practice groups

•    Run pitch training workshops; storytelling, fee negotiation, and mock pitch preparation

•    Champion a firm-wide culture of BD discipline and commercial awareness

Regional & Multi-Jurisdictional BD

•    Manage referral networks and alliance relationships across East and Southern Africa

•    Develop regional BD strategies for cross-border transactions and international clients

•    Support international pitch processes involving multiple African jurisdictions

Events, Intelligence & Reporting

•    Plan and execute client seminars, workshops, conferences, and networking events

•    Generate market intelligence reports on trends, regulatory shifts, and competitive landscape

•   Report KPIs, pipeline status, and revenue growth metrics directly to the Partnership

WHO YOU ARE

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in business administration with speciality in Marketing, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification in marketing (CIM), strategy, or business development is an added advantage.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum 3 years in business development, marketing, in a professional services environment. Demonstrated experience preparing and submitting RFPs, EOIs, tenders, or competitive bids

Proven track record managing social media platforms and digital marketing campaigns

Experience planning and executing corporate events and stakeholder engagement activities.

LEADERSHIP

Comfortable operating at management level, advising senior leaders, presenting to partners, and owning strategic outcomes

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Proficiency in MS Office, CRM platforms, digital marketing tools, and BD pipeline systems & strong business acumen

LEGAL MARKET KNOWLEDGE

Familiarity with Chambers Africa, Legal 500, and IFLR1000 ranking processes is a strong advantage

CHARACTER

Strategic thinker · Commercially curious · Proactive · Resilient · Results-driven · High attention to detail

WHY THIS ROLE?

•    A seat at the leadership table, member of the Management Team, reporting directly to the Partnership

•    Directly influence firm strategy at the highest level alongside the firm’s most senior leaders

•    Build and lead a BD function with genuine regional ambition across East Africa

•    Be the architect of how one of Uganda’s most respected law firms is seen and chosen

•    A platform to develop, innovate, and leave a visible, lasting mark on the firm’s trajectory

HOW TO APPLY

Application Instructions

Send your CV and a cover letter to: recruitment@ktaadvocates.com

Subject line: “Application, Business Development Manager”

Please include a brief note on the BD initiative you led and the measurable result it achieved.

If you don’t hear from us two (2) weeks post close of the advert, then note that the recruitment has been closed

Application Deadline: 24th July 2026 by 5pm

KTA Advocates is an equal opportunity employer committed to professional excellence, diversity, and inclusion.