Senior BD Executive - International Markets

ROLE OVERVIEW //

We are recruiting for a Senior Business Development Executive to join the Global Client Development (GCD) team, part of the wider Commercial team based at the firm’s head office in London. The GCD team works closely with partners and other fee earners across all offices 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 (strategic partner) relationships.

The role will involve supporting on BD initiatives in international markets and is very much cross-practice. This will include:

- Supporting the Country and Practice partners (and BD colleagues) on BD-focused international initiatives in Asia-Pacific, the Americas and other key markets (e.g. initiatives connected to partners travelling regularly for BD purposes, and flagship client/relationship firm events);

- being the principal BD point of liaison for our BD team in Hong Kong; and

- being part of a small ‘hub’ supporting fee-earners with referral requests globally.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual who will operate in a highly dynamic way and who will be able to turn their hand to new pieces of work as they arise. Being able to pivot from country to country, and practice to practice, with a curiosity and drive to learn the nuance of each, will be essential for this role.

The role would suit a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with an international mindset, great relationship management skills, a robust, professional personality and high levels of attention to detail.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES //

The key responsibilities of this role are set out below and there may be others which are not listed. You may be required on occasion to work outside our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.

There will be plenty of opportunities for the role holder to own and to take responsibility for delivering projects, which will give them the chance to get good exposure to partners and other fee-earners across the firm.

The primary focus will be the Asia-Pacific and the Americas regions, but it will also offer opportunities for the role holder to work on projects related to other key international markets.

In the case of Asia-Pacific related initiatives, the work will require high levels of independent working, and for the role holder to take full ownership of tasks. In the case of the Americas, it would be working collaboratively alongside an existing team member. For other key markets, it will be a blend of the two ways of working.

• Supporting on, and finding ways to maximise the value of, BD trips - from scoping, research, material creation, through to tracking and well-executed follow-ups.
• Identifying and pursuing client and relationship law firm development opportunities, including working on relationship mapping, target/watch lists, identifying topics, issues and carrying out research and analysis.
• Assisting with relationship activity with our relationship law firms, including preparing for, attending and managing the follow-up to meetings with our referral partners.
• Assisting with organising flagship international BD activity including content campaigns delivered through numerous channels.
• Being the principal BD point of liaison for our BD team in Hong Kong.
• Supporting fee earners in counsel selection (i.e. referrals) globally, for all regions, albeit building and drawing upon a particular knowledge gained with respect to Asia-Pacific and the Americas.
• Supporting on pitch opportunities and maintaining credentials related to key regions.
• Recording, tracking and analysing the value of our relationship interactions internationally. In doing so:
• using and improving (through data cleansing and input) the CRM system in Microsoft Dynamics which includes both client and overseas lawyer contacts; and
• maintaining and updating a number of BD documents, such as a client targeting tracker and trip ROI tracker.
• Assisting in tracking and analysing market trends, including legal market activity and monitoring daily press and website news to keep fee earners informed.
• Supporting practice-specific and BD-wide priority initiatives that have international aspect, including working with practice BD colleagues and the marketing team.
• Maintaining and updating relevant website pages.
• Supporting the maintenance and updating of the relevant sections of the GCD intranet pages as well other internal platforms.
• Be responsible for identifying and collating materials for regular internal partner (and wider team) meetings.
• Working alongside other members of the GCD team to support the wider BD strategy.
• Collaborating with the wider Commercial team to ensure knowledge and best practice is shared.

CANDIDATE PROFILE //

Candidates for this position must have:

• Internationally curious mindset.
• Previous BD and Marketing experience, most recently at an executive level in legal or professional services.
• Degree-educated or equivalent industry experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders, confidence to develop strong working relationships with fee earners and members of the BD team.
• Proven ability to manage multiple deliverables within a tight timeframe and deliver high quality work.
• 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.