Marketing & Business Development Manager (International Intellectual Property Group) - 12mth FTC (Maternity Cover)

The opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic Marketing & Business Development professional to join our International Intellectual Property Practice Group (IP), working alongside and reporting to the Senior Business Development Manager for this group, to drive forward their MBD activities. The successful candidate would ideally have experience of working within in a law firm, within tech or IP, or have an interest in this area.

Our award-winning IP Group is made up of more than 400 lawyers across Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and North America. They advise on all forms of IP, from managing large multinational brand portfolios to litigating key patents across multiple jurisdictions for mobile phones and cutting-edge biotech companies, to the protection of a designer dress worn at the academy awards.

You will get great on the job training and experience, as part of our high functioning and experienced central Business Development team with exposure to strategic client account management and to the emerging field of Legal Sales. You will be eligible for professional training courses offered by our external training partners and our internal Learning and Development team. You will work with stakeholders at all levels across our international firm. You will be part of a friendly and supportive Business Services team who will help to guide and support your career development. And you’ll be working for a top international law firm with strong market presence and a reputation for being tech focussed, with a cutting-edge approach and a friendly and supportive culture.

The team

You’ll be joining our Central Marketing & Business Development (MBD) team who work in partnership with senior stakeholders across the firm to set the strategy and shape the tactics to build our firm's profile. They help to win new work and strengthen and deepen client relationships, using a data driven and sales focused approach. The team is mostly based in London and is made up of over 60 specialists in marketing communications, business development and client service.

As a central team we lead global activities while working closely with our network of MBD colleagues based across our international offices. Whether it's driving a new content strategy, pitching for cutting-edge work, building our brand, or contributing to the development of our client relationships, we're committed to providing exceptional service to the firm and are known for leading the way when it comes to new technology and solutions. Energetic, creative and global, we're looking for people who have a passion for MBD and are keen to take a fresh approach.

What you'll do

You’ll support the development and implementation of the international MBD plans for our International IP Group. The role will include:

Revenue generation: translating insights and ideas into business growth

• Managing highly competitive bids and tenders, working collaboratively with fee earners and the wider MBD team to create winning propositions, using our bids platform Loopio.
• Ownership over the opportunity and pitch pipeline and process.
• Developing and implementing BD strategy for the group alongside the international IP group heads.
• Providing actionable intelligence via our market and data analytics resources.
• Facilitating cross-selling opportunities with other appropriate practice/sector/country teams.
• Ensuring that emphasis is placed on clients in the firmwide Strategic Client Programme, actively looking for opportunities to market to these clients and promote the firm's client service tools.
• Promoting relationships with 3rd party organisations/partners for the groups, including monitoring return on investment and maximizing opportunities for client development and revenue generation.

Reputation and positioning: going to market in an effective and efficient manner

• Developing and managing associated campaigns and targeting initiatives.
• Drafting BD content for multiple platforms.
• Maximising outcomes from BD initiatives, including in relation to social media and PR opportunities.
• Leading on event preparation, ensuring that value is derived and recorded.
• Planning and executing a strategy to promote the practices in relevant directory, deal table and awards submissions.

Infrastructure, process, and principles: delivering first time every time with consistent and rigorous standards

• Shared line management of the BD Coordinator for IP
• Supporting the management of the MBD budget, including provision of advice regarding the value and opportunity cost of initiatives.
• Developing and maintaining key MBD-related infrastructure, including our deal & credentials databases, pitching templates, CRM (contact management and opportunity tracking), the intranet, microsites and web pages.
• Producing excellent and up-to-date marketing materials and helping develop content for specific projects.
• Attending and preparing for all appropriate group meetings, contributing to the agenda and following up regarding relevant initiatives.
• Monitoring and responding to general BD queries.

About you

We’re looking for someone who is interested in the world and emerging trends, is curious and loves solving problems. Someone who is driven to achieve and improve, who sees opportunity in change and know sometimes it’s more art than science. You should be able to build long lasting and effective relationships easily and when it counts, just roll up your sleeves and get on board.

Your technical skills:

• Not a must, but previous experience of working in a professional services environment and experience of dealing directly with partners and key stakeholders would be helpful.
• Strong commercial awareness, including experience of/an interest in the key legal and commercial issues affecting the practice/sector groups.
• Exposure to the full spectrum of MBD activities, specifically business development experience and events experience would be a plus!
• Strong writing skills, editing ability and proficiency in MS applications including Teams, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, experience with other platforms like InDesign/Salesforce etc. would be a bonus.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of social media’s benefits and application.

Other Desired Attributes:

• A pro-active mind-set, willingness to learn and desire to deliver high quality work.
• Attention to detail (especially when providing content to lawyers or managing our large events).
• A positive, enthusiastic and flexible attitude.
• Driven to achieve and improve with a desire to develop skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
• Takes responsibility and shows integrity.
• Ability to multitask, to prioritise projects and respond quickly to urgent requests with tight deadlines.

The main responsibilities of this role are outlined above; however, this description is not exhaustive, and the job holder may be required to undertake additional duties from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department. The role may require some working outside our normal working hours of 9:30am- 5:30pm.