Business Manager, Middle East

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Manager to join our growing Peerpoint team, based in A&O Shearman’s Abu Dhabi office.

Peerpoint – Abu Dhabi

With the full backing of A&O Shearman and its global network, Peerpoint finds bespoke talent solutions that drive meaningful impact for people’s careers and businesses alike. Our comprehensive understanding of both our clients and consultants is our differentiator, enabling us to deliver unrivalled outcomes.

Industry recognised, Peerpoint is a leading platform for self-directed legal consultants seeking to develop a portfolio of experiences by undertaking challenging roles with clients, A&O Shearman practice groups and select private practices.

As a dynamic and significant business within A&O Shearman’s Advanced Delivery & Solutions portfolio, Peerpoint is a collaborative and rewarding place to work. We are leading the way in introducing meaningful change and creating new opportunities for legal professionals and clients alike.

The Peerpoint team in the Middle East comprises operational functions spanning recruitment, consultant management and client development. These teams work closely together to deliver a seamless experience for our clients and consultants.

The recruitment team attracts, selects and assesses high-calibre legal talent to join the Peerpoint panel. The consultant management team supports consultants’ experiences and career aspirations while creating alignment between our panel talent and client demand. The client team sources and manages Peerpoint opportunities, both within A&O Shearman and externally.

What you will do

As Business Manager, you will operate in a 360-degree capacity, driving client development and supporting the full consultant lifecycle. This will range from client lead generation and brief-taking through to candidate selection, onboarding, deployment and ongoing assignment management.

You will work closely with the Peerpoint Leadership team to implement the Peerpoint strategy for the Middle East. This is an excellent opportunity for an intellectually curious and commercially astute professional who enjoys partnering with senior clients and supporting lawyers in developing their consultant careers.

The key aspects of the role will be:

Client development and marketing

• Supporting the full client sales process, including new business development, lead qualification, commercial negotiations and the ongoing management of client relationships.
• Developing relationships with senior client stakeholders, including General Counsel and Heads of Legal.
• Qualifying inbound opportunities, participating in and helping to lead client briefings, and taking structured resourcing briefs.
• Contributing to the development of new business within assigned accounts.
• Sourcing and matching suitable consultant candidates to client briefs.
• Supporting commercial negotiations with clients and consultants, with guidance where required.
• Partnering closely with the local A&O Shearman Middle East Business Development team and partnership to cross-sell the firm’s services and share relevant client insights.
• Collaborating with global Peerpoint client teams to cross-sell services and facilitate introductions across regions.
• Maintaining visibility of cross-team priorities to support efficient placement delivery and revenue growth.

Consultant and talent management

• Building strong relationships with legal consultants through regular telephone, virtual and in-person engagement.
• Developing a detailed understanding of consultants’ career motivations, skills and transferable experience to achieve the strongest match for client assignments.
• Interviewing prospective consultant candidates as required.
• Managing in-market onboarding and consultant deployment readiness in partnership with the Middle East Operations Manager and contracts team.
• Supporting the consultant onboarding process, including relevant compliance requirements relating to rights to work, practising rights and adherence to Peerpoint and A&O Shearman policies.
• Planning consultant deployments as candidates progress through the onboarding process.
• Identifying and matching suitable lawyers from the consultant panel to client engagements, while considering other available talent at different stages of the recruitment process.
• Briefing consultants on opportunities and agreeing rates and commitments before presenting them to clients.
• Preparing consultant CVs and profiles for submission to clients and communicating directly with clients where appropriate.
• Providing interview preparation and coaching to consultants.
• Managing interview feedback with consultants and clients.
• Leading offer management with both parties through to the consultant’s first day.

Placement management

• Conducting regular check-ins with consultants while they are on assignment.
• Supporting assignment completion, offboarding and feedback processes.
• Maintaining strong relationships with consultants and clients throughout each placement.

Calibrating consultant supply and client demand

• Monitoring and addressing consultant supply and client demand through effective performance management, KPI tracking and forecasting.
• Maintaining awareness of market and business requirements to support placement planning.
• Developing creative solutions for clients using Peerpoint’s flexible legal resourcing offering.

What you will have

• Experience in successfully managing a full sales cycle in a consultative environment, delivering excellent client service and building strong peer relationships.
• Experience managing end‑to‑end recruitment or resourcing processes (legal sector experience advantageous), with confidence navigating ambiguity and negotiating outcomes.
• Ability to operate in a high‑performing, target‑driven environment while upholding Peerpoint’s ethical values and commitment to quality for clients and consultants.
• Strong commercial judgement with excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Exceptional communication skills, including clear verbal communication and sophisticated, engaging written communication.
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships effectively, with a natural affinity for working with people.
• Collaborative team player who thrives in a fast‑paced, intellectually rigorous, and entrepreneurial environment.
• Highly proactive, resilient and driven, with a solutions‑focused approach and the ambition to succeed.
• Outstanding organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for improving processes and enhancing the client and consultant experience.

What we can offer you

This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in the continued growth of Peerpoint’s Middle East business. You will work directly with exceptional lawyers and senior client stakeholders, with the opportunity to see the tangible impact of your work on client outcomes, consultant careers and the commercial success of the business.

You will join a dynamic and collaborative international team where commercial success and meaningful relationship-building go hand in hand.

To learn more about the culture and benefits available at A&O Shearman, please visit: Culture and benefits | A&O Shearman careers

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team, who will work with you to provide any adjustments required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or any other protected characteristic.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE – A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please refer to our recruitment agency policy and commitment to direct sourcing.

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