Business Development Manager International Arbitration

About the role

Laborde Law, a specialist international arbitration practice with offices in Dubai, Paris and Belgrade, is seeking an ambitious 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 international referral network and generating business opportunities across the GCC and beyond.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and develop relationships with prospective clients across the GCC, including corporates, investors, family offices, general counsel and government‑related entities.
• Build and maintain a referral network with law firms that can refer international arbitration and cross‑border disputes.
• Map priority organisations, sectors and jurisdictions, secure introductions and meetings for the firm’s partners.
• Manage a disciplined pipeline of prospective clients, referral sources and business opportunities.
• Reactivate and deepen relationships within the firm’s existing international network.
• Monitor potential disputes, investments and market developments that could generate new work.
• Coordinate pitches, proposals and targeted business‑development initiatives.
• Identify and attend strategically valuable conferences, organisations and speaking opportunities, ensuring systematic follow‑up.

Required profile

• Significant experience in business development, client development or professional services, preferably within legal services.
• Established professional network in the UAE or wider GCC.
• Confidence to engage senior executives, general counsel, lawyers, investors and government officials.
• Excellent written and spoken English; fluency in Arabic is a strong advantage.
• Strong research abilities and commercial acumen to spot relevant opportunities.
• Highly organised with a proactive, entrepreneurial approach.
• Ability to thrive in a small, international, high‑performance environment.

What we offer

• Substantial autonomy to develop relationships and pursue opportunities across the GCC and internationally.
• Compensation comprising a fixed component and a variable component linked to sales targets.
• Opportunity to work directly with the firm’s Founding Partner on its growth strategy.