The role
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Business Development Executive (BDE) to join us on a permanent basis.
Reporting to and working in collaboration with the Senior Business Development Manager (SBDM), the BD Executive will support the Commercial Dispute Resolution, Business Crime & Regulatory, Restructuring & Insolvency and International Construction practices in their business development activities.
This varied role covers the full mix of business development and marketing activities including: collateral, client targeting initiatives, budget management, events, social media, pitching, directory submissions, CRM and supporting on campaigns and content creation.
Role responsibility
BAU Business Development Support
1. Providing day to day BD and marketing support to the Commercial Dispute Resolution, Business Crime & Regulatory, Restructuring & Insolvency and International Construction practices.
2. Assisting in the drafting and delivery of business development plans.
3. Overseeing and monitoring business development budgets and expenditure.
4. Providing meeting support, preparing agendas, circulating notes and action points. Following up as needed.
5. Creating and manipulating reports in advance of Go To Market group meetings.
6. Assisting with developing the monthly Board report.
7. Using CRM to log pitches, maintain and update dispute resolution contact types, develop and maintain marketing lists and report on mailing and invitation stats.
Marketing Collateral and Pitching
8. Preparing first drafts of capability statements, credentials documents, pitches and client presentations.
9. Working with SBDM on developing collateral and reviewing key messages as needed.
10. Updating and maintaining the credentials database.
Events, Conferences and International Trips
11. Leading on event planning and idea generation, ensuring events are in line with the department's BD objectives.
12. Managing event logistics, liaising with the Catering and Hospitality teams as required.
13. Managing the invitation process, using Vuture and CRM as needed.
14. Liaising with lawyers and third parties on content as necessary.
15. Communicating with internal stakeholders and third-party suppliers as needed.
16. Creating and managing the calendar of events and activities, ensuring that the team is aware.
17. Maintaining awareness of early bird deadlines, ensuring tickets are purchased and travel organised in a timely manner to prevent unnecessary overspend.
18. Managing the marketing strategy to maximise impact of events, conferences and international trips, working closely with the central MarComms team to execute marketing tactics and ensure all key channels are used.
19. Proactively managing follow-up, ensuring the completion of trip / conference reports as necessary and reporting on / supporting lead generation.
PR, Content and Campaigns
20. Supporting the development of departmental content and campaigns, providing ideas on topical news and issues.
21. Regularly reviewing what competitors are doing in terms of key campaigns and initiatives and report back to the SBDM.
22. Undertaking ad-hoc research requests related to legal topics, people, clients and prospects or markets. For example, competitor websites, LinkedIn searches, marketing opportunities such as sponsorships and internal CRM system searches.
23. Working closely with the SBDM to develop a marketing strategy on key campaigns and liaise with the central MarComms team to execute marketing tactics and ensure all key channels are used to maximise impact.
24. Providing advice to lawyers on how to raise their profile via social media, at speaking events and internally.
25. Managing the process for delivering the CDR and International Construction newsletters, supporting the lawyers to produce relevant legal updates, bulletins and blogs.
26. Supporting the SBDM on PR strategy and liaising with the firm's PR agency in generating PR stories.
Directories and Awards
27. Managing the annual directory submission process. Working with lawyers to draft and submit directories, regularly reviewing strategy to maximise opportunities to improve rankings.
28. Supporting the lawyers with directory related interviews, including drafting interview prep notes.
29. Monitoring the annual industry awards calendar and highlighting opportunities to make submissions. Supporting the SBDM in the creation of compelling award submissions.
30. Managing the marketing strategy to maximise impact of any award short listings and successes, working closely with the central MarComms team to execute marketing tactics and ensure all key channels are used.
About you
Ideally you will be able to demonstrate;
31. Proven experience of working in a similar role within professional services, preferably within the legal sector.
32. Initiative and proactivity, being able to anticipate stakeholders needs.
33. The ability to think strategically and commercially.
34. The ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively, with self motivation and strong team working skills.
35. Strong organisational skills.
36. Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written).
37. Attention to detail.
38. The ability to interact with and build relationships with individuals at all levels across the business.
At Howard Kennedy we believe that everyone deserves the space to thrive. We’re committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience that reflects the diversity of both our people and our clients.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, and we’re committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and accessible to all.
We understand that every candidate’s needs are different If there’s anything we can do to make your application journey more comfortable— whether for interviews, assessments, or onboarding—please let us know. We’ll work with you to remove any barriers and ensure our recruitment process is comfortable for you.
Contact our recruitment team at to discuss any support you might need.
Agency Introductions
Please note that we are not accepting applications via agencies for this role at this time. Before sharing any named candidate CVs, please contact your recruitment representative. If any named CVs are sent from agencies without approval from our recruitment team, they will not be deemed valid introductions, and no agency fee will be paid.
Benefits
39. Competitive salary
40. 25 days annual holiday
41. Permanent Health Insurance
42. Life Assurance
43. Interest free Season Ticket Loan
44. Private Healthcare
45. Pension Scheme
46. Staff Introductory Scheme
47. Employee Assistance Programme