Business Development Manager – International Arbitration

About the role

Laborde Law, a specialist international arbitration practice, is looking for a Business Development Manager to join its Dubai office. Working directly with the Founding Partner, you will be responsible for creating new client relationships, expanding the firm’s referral network, and generating business opportunities across the GCC and beyond.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and develop relationships with prospective clients such as corporates, investors, family offices, general counsel, and government entities.
• Build and nurture referral relationships with law firms that handle international arbitration and cross‑border disputes.
• Map priority organisations, sectors, jurisdictions and decision‑makers; secure introductions and meetings for partners.
• Maintain a disciplined pipeline of prospects, referral sources and opportunities.
• Reactivate and deepen existing international network relationships.
• Monitor disputes, investments and market developments that could create new business.
• Coordinate pitches, proposals and targeted business‑development initiatives.
• Identify valuable conferences, organisations and speaking opportunities; ensure systematic follow‑up after events.
• Collaborate closely with the Founding Partner on the firm’s broader growth strategy.

Required profile

• Significant experience in business development, client development, professional services or a relationship‑driven environment.
• Established professional network in the UAE or wider GCC.
• Confidence engaging senior executives, general counsel, lawyers, investors and government officials.
• Excellent written and spoken English; additional languages (Arabic, French, Spanish) are a plus.
• Strong research, organisational and execution abilities.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial mindset and ability to thrive in a small, international, high‑performance team.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to play a central role in the international expansion of a specialist arbitration firm handling high‑value disputes.
• Direct collaboration with the Founding Partner and exposure to complex cross‑border matters.