Your role
At Allens, our business teams are specialists in their field, using their unique knowledge and expertise to solve critical client and business challenges.
Allens’ DNI practice is a market‑leading, multi‑disciplinary team spanning Commercial Disputes, Employment, and Restructuring & Insolvency. The practice advises clients across the full lifecycle of contentious, regulatory, workforce and financial stress matters - from complex disputes and investigations to employment and industrial relations challenges, through to distressed investments and formal insolvency administrations. Working in high‑stakes, time‑critical and often reputationally sensitive environments, the team combines deep legal expertise with commercial insight to help clients manage risk, protect value and achieve strategic outcomes.
Within DNI, the Commercial Disputes and Investigations team is recognised for advising clients on the most complex, high‑value and reputationally significant disputes and investigations in the Australian market. Ranked as a Band 1 disputes practice by Chambers, the team acts for leading organisations across a wide range of sectors, drawing on deep litigation, regulatory and investigative expertise to manage risk and protect client value.
The Restructuring & Insolvency team advises across the full spectrum of restructuring and insolvency work, from distressed investments and special situations through to formal insolvency administrations. Recognised for its deep legal expertise and strong bench strength, the team draws on experience across practice areas to deliver integrated support throughout the business lifecycle.
The Employment team works closely with clients to manage employment, industrial relations and safety risks, protect corporate reputation and support clients to position themselves as employers of choice. The team prides itself on building long‑lasting client relationships rather than one‑off matters, investing time to understand clients’ businesses and working with them to find better, more sustainable ways to manage workforce and industrial relations challenges.
The Senior Business Development Manager for DNI plays a strategic, partner‑facing role that drives revenue growth, deepens client relationships, elevates market presence, and strengthens the firm’s BD culture. You will act as a trusted adviser to partners - shaping strategy, challenging thinking, and embedding future‑fit BD habits aligned to practice and firm priorities.
You will also:
Play a central role in delivering the Disputes & Investigations practice strategy by translating priorities into clear BD plans, partner actions and quarterly roadmaps, and by contributing to the longer term growth direction of the practice.
Identify and shape early opportunities to ensure the practice is well positioned for must win work.
Champion a strong culture of client centricity by helping partners deepen relationships, elevate client experience and build a healthy pipeline of high value opportunities.
Act as a trusted adviser to partners, providing clear and practical coaching on client strategies, opportunity focus, win themes and market positioning.
Create coachable moments across day to day interactions that build BD confidence and capability, strengthen collaboration across the practice and uplift BD behaviours among partners and lawyers.
Provide leadership and guidance to other BD professionals supporting the practice, fostering high standards, strong judgement and a cohesive, strategic approach to BD delivery.
Lead pursuits from strategy through to delivery by shaping value propositions and compelling narratives, and by guiding partners and teams through preparation and presentation.
Work with Marketing, Communications and digital teams to deliver integrated campaigns, thought leadership and targeted events.
Champion the adoption of BD systems, tools and frameworks including CRM, analytics and pursuit disciplines to uplift capability.
Collaborate effectively with BD colleagues across practices, the central BD leadership team and firmwide client experience functions, modelling a growth mindset, commercial discipline and a collaborative culture.
Lead client feedback activities and translate insights into practical improvements that strengthen client experience, service delivery and practice level decisions.
This is a permanent, full-time position although we will consider candidates looking to work a 9-day fortnight or 4 day a week. Hybrid working (60% in the office) is how we work, however flexibility matters at Allens, so if you are seeking hybrid working or looking for flexibility in your work, we would be happy to discuss what arrangements would work best for you.
About you
You will bring:
BD & Client Growth Expertise
Confident and strategic BD professional with experience influencing senior stakeholders and working closely with partners to shape outcomes.
Strong commercial judgement and genuine client focus, with the ability to turn insight into clear and practical actions that drive meaningful growth.
Skilled at building trusted relationships and coaching senior stakeholders to sharpen client strategies and maintain focus on high‑value opportunities.
Energised by proactive, strategic BD work and motivated by contributing to a high‑performing, market‑leading team.
Proven track record in business development within a top‑tier professional services environment.
Strong experience managing tenders and major pursuits, with the ability to develop competitive strategies that win work.
Demonstrated ability to design and deliver BD initiatives that strengthen client relationships and support revenue growth.
Familiarity with client feedback programmes and experience aligning BD activities to enhance client experience.
Core Skills & Behaviours
Strong strategic mindset with the confidence to bring fresh ideas to senior stakeholders, challenge thinking constructively and influence decisions at the right moments.
Resilience and adaptability, with the ability to navigate competing priorities and operate effectively alongside high performing partners in a fast paced environment.
Sharp commercial judgement and the ability to distil complex information into clear, actionable insights that support partner focus and prioritisation.
Collaborative and proactive working style, bringing people together around shared goals and creating momentum across teams and practice groups.
Skilled in building capability across others, including developing BD team members and supporting lawyers to grow confidence and consistency in their BD approach.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas clearly, craft compelling materials and constructively challenge thinking and influence senior stakeholders.
Growth oriented mindset, demonstrating curiosity, continuous learning and a positive contribution to team culture.
Your development
In joining Allens, you will receive unparalleled learning and development opportunities. You will be challenged, supported and guided as you learn and develop, and will be encouraged to grow. We foster greatness, and will coach and support you to meet your goals and aspirations.
Our unique Career Deal allows you to take control of your career and provides a transparent approach to career development. Our international alliance with Linklaters means we are able to support secondments all over the world.
Our perks
Our benefits include:
Financial: market competitive fixed remuneration, employee recruitment referral program, discounts at hundreds of suppliers including retail outlets, health and travel insurance, charity matched funding program.
Health and wellbeing: fully subsidised gym memberships, annual flu vaccinations, skin checks, in-house snacks and catered meals, subsidised sporting and social activities, Employee Assistance Program including confidential counselling, wellbeing coaching and financial coaching for employees and their families.
Flexibility: hybrid and flexible working arrangements to support you in your work and life commitments and passions, equipment to support working from home.
Leave: ability to purchase additional annual leave, access to an enhanced, inclusive and flexible parental leave policy – 26 weeks paid parental leave with no minimum service for permanent employees and high quality executive coaching to support the transition.
Recognition: team based recognition including social activities and contribution based recognition activities, and annual Allens Values Awards to nominate and recognise the incredible contributions of our people.
Allens is also proud to invest in our communities, giving you the opportunity to make a difference through our work on reconciliation, the environment and other social justice issues as well as our workplace giving and volunteering programs.
How to apply?
We'd love to hear from you so please click "apply now"! If you would like to find out more, please visit "This is Allens" or listen to our Allens Confidential podcast to hear real stories from real people about life at Allens. Alternatively, for a confidential discussion, please email Olivia Newport, Talent Acquisition Consultant - [email protected].
At Allens, our culture is made up of unique backgrounds and varying life experiences. We celebrate our people's differences across gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, cultural backgrounds, First Nations communities, and family and caring arrangements. If you require adjustments to fully participate in our application process, please contact us at [email protected]. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align, please express your interest by emailing us at [email protected]. The right role for you might be just around the corner!
Allens Melbourne, Victoria, AUS Office
Level 37, 101 Collins Street, , Melbourne, Victoria , Australia, 3000
