Strategic planning and client cultivation

• Lead the development and execution of client-specific strategies with practice and industry leaders, ensuring alignment with firm priorities.
• Use market intelligence, client mapping and competitive analysis to identify and pursue high-value opportunities and deepen relationships with strategic clients.
• Guide teams in creating business plans and ensure BD efforts are integrated with broader firm strategy.

Proposals and pitch excellence

• Oversee the design and delivery of tailored, innovative and priority-aligned proposals and pitches for key matters.
• Collaborate across practices and functions to bring the best of the firm to each opportunity, leveraging client and industry insights to secure high-impact work.
• Champion best practices in pitch development and ensure consistency in firm positioning.

Positioning Practices & Partners

• Develop and lead thought leadership and external positioning initiatives with marketing and communications.
• Execute strategies to showcase the firms expertise, drive growth and strengthen the reputation of the practice group and its partners.
• Align thought leadership, legal rankings and external events with firm strategy and growth priorities.

Cross-Practice & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as a visible senior leader, fostering alignment and collaboration with PG/regional marketers, strategic client teams and industry BD teams.
• Influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders, including executive committee members, regional section heads and partners, to drive strategic BD initiatives and optimize client engagement.

Contributor capacity

• Lead impactful major projects and/or teams (directly or through matrix leadership), providing direction, coaching and oversight to ensure high standards of delivery and professional development.
• Be recognized for strategic thinking, innovative problem solving and the ability to resolve complex cross-functional issues affecting growth, client outcomes and market positioning.

Performance and impact

• Be accountable for the measurable impact of BD initiatives, including growth in client relationships, successful pitches, enhanced market positioning and achievement of strategic BD goals.
• Lead the annual BD budgeting process and manage the budget to ensure efficient allocation of resources against strategic priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement to ensure the BD function delivers strong value to the firm, and lead, manage and develop the BD team to achieve high performance.

• Bachelors degree or equivalent relevant experience; professional certification(s) a plus.
• Significant experience in business development (or closely aligned commercial/marketing roles) within the legal sector.
• Deep expertise in core BD disciplines (e.g., client strategy and planning, pitching and pursuit management, market positioning and thought leadership), with demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives from design through execution.
• Strong understanding of the legal market, client buying dynamics, and competitor positioning; ability to translate external insight into clear BD priorities and differentiated strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to operate cross-functionally and cross-practice, influencing senior stakeholders and aligning diverse teams in a matrix environment.
• Proven commercial acumen and analytical capability; able to use data, judgment, and market insight to diagnose issues, develop solutions, and advise leadership.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills; able to build consensus, manage sensitive conversations, and represent the practice group professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement in standards, processes, and ways of working, ensuring high-quality delivery, effective use of resources, and measurable impact.
• Experience leading teams and/or major projects, including coaching and developing colleagues and driving high performance through clear expectations and accountability.

• This role has formal management responsibility for senior business development professionals and/or complex, cross-functional programs, providing leadership, oversight, and direction to ensure capability, quality, and impact across the practice group.

This role reports to

Equal Opportunities

White & Case is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firms policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

If you require assistance and/or adjustment to participate in our application and/or interview process, please email us. We will be happy to work with you.

The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

Note to Recruitment Agencies

Our internal Recruitment team manages all aspects of lateral hiring. All agencies must have signed terms of businessspecific to the relevant officebefore submitting any candidates. CVs or applications sent directly to White & Case partners or employees will also not be considered formal introductions. If you have questions, please contact the relevant Recruitment team. We work with our preferred suppliers when engaging agencies.

Location: Tokyo

Time Type: Full time