Job Description

Description

We are looking for an experienced Growth and Business Development Manager to help drive growth across our priority markets, with a particular focus on Cambridge, London and the South East.

This is a client-facing role suited to someone who enjoys building relationships, spotting opportunities, and working closely with technical specialists to support ambitious growth plans. You'll play a key role in connecting innovative businesses with our IP experts and helping to strengthen our presence across key innovation ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong networks across innovation-led communities, investors, founders, and intermediaries Identify and engage prospective clients and introduce them to the firm's IP specialists Represent the firm at industry and networking events (UK and occasional international travel) Work closely with attorneys, partners and BD colleagues to develop and progress opportunities Manage a pipeline of prospects across priority sectors such as life sciences, advanced engineering, software/AI, transactional IP and litigation Gather and share market intelligence to inform BD strategy, positioning and content Maintain accurate records and reporting via the firm's CRM system

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

Essential

Proven experience in business development within professional services (e.g. legal, IP, consulting) or technical sales A strong track record of relationship-building and converting prospects into clients Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills Strong commercial awareness and confidence in engaging senior stakeholders Ability to work independently across multiple offices and regions Willingness to travel and work flexibly, including occasional out-of-hours events

Desirable

Experience within the IP sector or a strong affinity with science, engineering or technology Experience supporting partners or fee earners with BD and client development Established networks within Cambridge, London, the South East or other innovation clusters Experience working in partnership or matrix environments
We are also open to considering candidates who wish to work part-time hours.

Benefits

We pride ourselves on being small and friendly enough for you to get to know everyone - but big enough to offer you great career prospects. At Appleyard Lees, you won't feel like a number or just another cog in the wheel. We understand everyone is individual and offer a friendly and supportive place to work and learn.



We also offer:34 hour working week, Monday - Friday Agile working A supportive and friendly place to work and learn Annual salary review 25 days annual leave + bank holidays Holiday Purchase Scheme Salary Exchange Life assurance Healthcare Cash Plan & Wellbeing App Group Income Protection Long Service Milestones Social outings Vouchers on Christmas, Birthdays and Special Occasions Charity events

About Appleyard Lees

Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm with approximately seventy patent and trade mark attorneys and litigators across offices in Halifax, Leeds, Manchester, and Cambridge.

We provide a full range of intellectual property (IP) services covering patents, trade marks, designs and copyright in the UK, Europe and worldwide. We use our technical and legal skills, and many years of experience, to identify and protect IP assets and to uncover and eliminate the risks posed by other people's IP rights.

Who we are, and what we do - but also, how we do it - makes us distinctive.

Our clients include some of the world's most exciting innovators, largest companies, and household names, with a number of clients obtaining Fortune 500, Fortune Global 2000, FTSE 100, FTSE 250, and Forbes Global 2000 status. Our clients operate across a diverse collection of industries, including chemicals, retail, consumer goods, electronics, software, bio and life sciences, pharmaceuticals, metals, and heavy industry, higher education, and hospitality, leisure, and tourism.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) has always been part of the core values of Appleyard Lees. To us, diversity is not just a box-ticking exercise, it is a core part of our firm's values . Diversity of people means diversity of ideas and perspectives, and these allow us to be more creative and flexible as a business.

We welcome the unique contribution that a diverse workforce will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people - however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.