ROLE OVERVIEW //
We are recruiting a Business Development Executive who will sit within the wider Global Client Development (GCD) team, working with partners on their strategic BD planning, initiatives and campaigns for our Disputes and Investigations (DI) practice, which is led by 17 partners. The GCD team forms part of the BD team, which sits within the wider Commercial Team.
The GCD team works closely with partners and other fee earners to win work and grow client relationships on a global basis. Taking an integrated approach to client development, the team brings together regional, practice and sector based expertise to maintain, grow and support client relationships and law firm relationships.
The Business Development Executive will work closely with a Senior Business Development Manager to support partners in DI and around the firm to design and implement effective BD initiatives, with the objective of raising the profile of the group, building/maintaining client relationships and winning new work. This role presents an opportunity to work across a broad range of projects, requiring versatility and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and relationships.
This role sits in a dynamic and high achieving team and the executive will be involved in a range of different BD activities whilst getting good exposure to partners and other fee earners.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES //
The key responsibilities of this role will include some or all of the following. On occasion the role holder may be required to work outside our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.
* Work closely with and provide support to the DI Senior BD Manager on the design and implementation of various BD initiatives.
* Work with BD and fee-earner stakeholders on the project management and drafting of client proposals, providing pitch support from initial discussions through to submission.
* Project manage (with oversight from Senior BD Manager) the production of directory and awards submissions in the DI team, including drafting sections and collating input from a wide range of contributors.
* Develop and maintain credentials and other client-facing materials for pitch use.
* Assist with organising key flagship initiatives such as targeted events, roundtables, webinars etc.
* Maintain and update a number of the department’s key BD and marketing documents.
* Manage the department’s CRM lists using Microsoft Dynamics.
* Maintain and update the department’s website pages.
* Monitor market, industry and competitor information and feed through to the Senior BD Manager and wider stakeholders as appropriate.
* Collaborate with the wider BD department, such as Pitch, BD Research, Communication and Design teams to ensure knowledge-sharing and best practice.
* Prepare briefing packs and drafting notes on hot topics to support ad hoc client and other meetings.
* Support the shaping of business plans, ensuring that these are focused and considered.
* Work across the GCD team to respond to ad hoc requests, while providing proactive support to the DI practice group.
* Ensure BD initiatives and campaigns have a multi-practice and global approach (where applicable) and spot cross-sell opportunities.
* Support junior lawyers, knowledge lawyers and BD colleagues to provide focus to new client acquisition initiatives including research, data gathering and analysis.
* Assist in responding to any given opportunity, including client and profile raising opportunities.
* Support the firm’s content strategy by providing assistance to the content creation and distribution processes.
* Assist with the firm’s Client Relationship Management (CRM) Programme and bespoke client targeting initiatives to identify opportunities for the firm from a DI perspective.
* Work with the team to manage the client and target research process to ensure clear objectives are in place for each piece of research and that all research conducted is done so as to meet the objectives of the BD strategy.
* Assist partners and BD members to ensure that seminars and client events are relevant and targeted appropriately.
* Ensure that matter and contact information is kept up to date and that the relevant information is added to the data systems.
* Other general BD assistance and projects, as required.
CANDIDATE PROFILE //
Candidates for this position must have:
* Degree-educated or equivalent industry experience.
* Ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.
* Able to demonstrate sound judgement in respect of managing information and understanding the commercially sensitive nature of our work in this area.
* Proven ability to manage multiple deliverables within a tight timeframe and deliver high quality work.
* Previous BD and Marketing experience, most recently at an assistant or executive level, ideally in a law firm environment.
* Demonstrable confidence to develop strong working relationships with the partners, associates, PSLs and all members of the BD team.
* Ability to manage and analyse large amounts of data and identify BD opportunities within it.
* Ability to be proactive, entrepreneurial and self-motivated.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, spoken and presentational).
* Excellent attention to detail and good use of grammar.
* Proactive approach to defining needs and delivering solutions.
* Ability to build strong business relationships with internal and external clients and the resilience to deal with demanding individuals.
* Willingness to foster an inclusive team culture.
* High level of professionalism and integrity; displays the highest standard of professional ethics.
We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.