Business Development Manager

A career in our Business Development Department will help you to get to grips with the nature of the market related to the department/practice group, its competition, and the client base so as to help identify cross-selling opportunities and tailor advice, and to prepare pitches and directory submissions to various practice groups. To work closely with partners and other key members of the team, and play a fundamental role in delivering business development and marketing support to the firm’s practice groups.

Responsibilities:

Marketing / Business Development planning

• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the department and practice group’s overall business plan
• Drive departmental and practice group’s business development initiatives as required

Pitches, proposals and tenders

• Work with partners and other legal teams in accordance with the pitch process, and develop key messages for pitches and other promotional documents
• Update and maintain pitch supporting materials including standard pitch templates, standard materials such as executive summaries, standard capability statements and other standard wording
• Update and maintain database of pitches/tenders submitted,  database of deals and matter highlights, client referee database, awards, recognition and quotes
• Update and maintain professional profiles for all fee-earners, and develop edited or tailor-made versions as required
• Prepare client intelligence reports to assist in preparing more tailored proposals

Key client activities

• Support the development of key client relationships, and work with partners to identify potential growth clients
• Keep abreast of news and developments regarding key clients, maintain relevant data and update partners for better client service and pro-actively identify business opportunities
• Undertake key client market research and analysis, including other clients of the firm
• Identify and co-ordinate cross-selling opportunities with other practice areas, connect the dots between clients’ business needs and firm’s offerings
• Lead the practice group in maintaining and enriching contact information and marketing lists through the firm-wide CRM platform

Public Relations, marketing communications and events

• Work with the Partners and Business Development team on any media and public relation opportunities
• Support the production and development of internal and external updates, including website content and other legal publications
• Support the production and development of all marketing materials, including website content, newsletters, brochures, articles, book chapters, other legal publications and promotional materials, including liaising with the partners, relevant fee-earners and publishers, layout and design, and translations into Chinese
• Help maintain database of key promotional material for individual practice groups including preparation of promotion/information packs for meetings and business trips
• Handle  legal directory submissions , including liaising with the Communications Manager and the relevant legal publications, managing deadlines, preparing first drafts of entries/submissions and submissions for other surveys and awards
• Manage mailing and event invitation lists. Provide advice on target clients, invitations and programmes
• Plan and support seminars and events, external conferences, client meetings and client entertainment, including sourcing and booking venues, gift, catering and other logistics, on-site support, liaising with the central events team where necessary
• Provide post-conference support, including the maintenance of conference programmes and delegate information, capturing data on potential contacts and follow-up  
• Identify relevant networking and sponsorship opportunities for partners and associates

Process improvement

• Contribute ideas to processes and systems set-up and improvement within the team and take responsibility for such projects
• Ensure suggested marketing and Business Development activities reflect best return on investment for the team

Requirements:

• Degree holder, preferably in marketing or similar field          
• A minimum of six years of professional marketing, business development or other relevant experience
• Proficient in English and Chinese, both speaking and writing. Mandarin would be an advantage
• Excellent writing, proofreading and critical thinking skills
• Work experience in the professional services industry is preferred; experience in the related practice area is desirable but not essential
• Knowledgeable in common social media platforms (LinkedIn, WeChat) and research databases
• Think creatively and has enthusiasm to perform the job at a high level
• Able to work under pressure and deliver on tight deadlines
• High level of confidence in collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
• A self-starter and proactive team player
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office tools (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)
• Given the nature of the role, the job holder must have a willingness to work irregular hours if and when required