Business Development Manager

The Team

The Marketing & BD team at Farrer & Co is responsible for the development and implementation of the firm’s marketing strategy, including profile and reputation, marketing communications, and business development. This extends to all aspects of marketing planning, brand management, campaigns, events, CRM, market and client analysis, pitches and tenders, website, content and digital strategy.

Scope

The role will provide business development support to the Senior Business Development Manager and wider leadership team to deliver the BD strategy for our Not-for-Profit and Education sectors, as well as support our Employment practice team. As part of the Not-for-Profit pillar, the main sectors cover: charities, cultural organisations, sports, faith-based organisations, professional membership organisations and livery companies. In the education pillar, the firm focuses on independent schools and higher education.

The successful candidate would work with the Senior Business Development Manager and designated Partners to design and deliver a business development and marketing plan. A strong collegiate approach is essential, with genuine enthusiasm and understanding for the full BD and Marketing mix to deliver the firm’s strategy for growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the support of marketing and business development planning for their area, including working closely with sector heads to identify priorities and making best use of the sector team’s BD time and resources to win the most profitable work.
• Manage strategy plans and marketing budgets. Oversee that appropriate ROI measures are in place to ensure the success of business development activity.
• Conduct business development research to support strategy, working closely with our research service provider. This will include analysis and testing regularly for market changes, for example using SWOT and PESTLE.
• Identify new business development opportunities. You will act as a trusted adviser, coaching Partners and Fee Earners on business development initiatives including intermediary referral relationships (internal and external).
• Support Partners and Fee Earners on pitch best practice in competitive situations, including No/Go decisions, leading on the production and submission of strategic pitches, and providing or overseeing input for the team on firmwide pitch opportunities.
• Client targeting and analysis projects, including enhanced support for client partners on strategically important clients.
• Identify, organise and evaluate strategic sponsorships, key memberships and speaking opportunities at external conferences and seminars.
• Lead the preparation of directory and award submissions for the relevant sectors and practice areas.
• Collaborate with fee earners and other members of the Marketing and Business Development team to produce/refine website content and other marketing collateral.
• Identify business development skill gaps across Partners and Fee Earners (including support on personal business development and marketing plans for junior partners and next generation partners) in consultation with the Knowledge, Learning and Development team.
• Work alongside fee earners and the Marketing team to produce regular, high-quality digital mailings making full use of the firm’s data to build impact.
• Identify and develop campaigns and thought leadership projects to support profile raising efforts aligned to the relevant sector strategies.
• Deputise for the Senior Business Development Manager as required.
• Manage and contribute to wider M&BD projects as required.
• Play an active role as a manager within the Marketing & BD team to ensure the team performs to the highest standards and is well regarded across the firm. Provide support & guidance to junior members of the team.

Skills and Experience

• At least 5 years in a professional services BD and marketing environment.
• Understanding of the full marketing mix required to deliver a successful business plan.
• Pitch writing and pitch process management.
• Expert knowledge of the relevant sectors and markets is desirable.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to present ideas and views clearly and with confidence.
• Able to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.
• Demonstrates a high level of attention to detail and ability to manage a project from start to finish.
• Ability to manage workload and competing priorities.
• Able to confidently liaise with people at all levels, including partners, fee earners, other support departments and peers within the wider Marketing & BD team.

Person Specification

A team player for whom collaboration is second nature. A natural ability to bring people with them on projects, working alongside multiple stakeholders at all levels (both within and outside the team and business services) in order to deliver the best results.

A strong communicator, getting buy-in to projects and ensuring their successful completion using well-judged and effective oral and written communication skills. Diplomatic, empathetic and persuasive.

A broad technical knowledge, underpinned by significant practical experience, and an ability to work both across BD/Comms/Digital as well as across other business services teams.

A passion for continuous KL&D to keep pace with (and ideally stay one step ahead of) developments in marketing and project management for professional services, noting the fast-moving nature of this area, the increasing importance of digital, and the high client service expectations of our clients/key intermediaries.

Special aspects

The normal hours of work are 9.30am – 5.30pm but it is essential to be committed, flexible and prepared to work beyond the normal office hours when necessary and in response to client demand.

Farrer & Co operates an agile working framework under which members of the firm are expected to spend at least 40% of their working hours in the office. This is a minimum expectation: individuals may elect or be asked or expected to work more frequently in the office, depending on circumstance.

Farrer & Co is an equal opportunity employer which welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We look to employ the best candidates regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

We are keen to ensure candidates have the best interview experience possible. If you require any adjustments during the interview or application process, please let the recruitment team know.

Comments

Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which includes a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.