Business Development Manager - Disputes

Clifford Chance•New York, NY

About The Position

The Business Development ("BD") function is pivotal in making the firm's strategy a reality. BD teams collaborate strategically with partners, lawyers and other business professional functions to drive sustainable growth. The BD function supports conversion of key client and market opportunities through the development and delivery of targeted business development and marketing plans. This role is part of a global BD team with primary responsibility for supporting our Americas Disputes product team across a range of sub-product areas including Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations. This is a hands-on and proactive role where you will work alongside a core BD team in region, collaborating directly with regional Disputes team members, and act as a key point of contact for relevant product stakeholders within the firm to provide support on the execution of wider BD strategy. This role presents an excellent opportunity to explore client and market business development in a professional services environment, working closely with multiple stakeholders, to deliver tangible results as part of a global BD team. You will work directly to support key stakeholders on their client and market business development initiatives and support the implementation of BD strategy. This role collaborates closely with the fee-earning population in region and globally to support identification, pursuit and winning of revenue generating opportunities. It connects partners and lawyers to the full spectrum of BD services and expertise available across the global function. This role works alongside counterparts in region, and in other product groups, as well as being a key member of the BD community globally.

Requirements

Previous experience in professional services business development (preferably in a law firm)
A strong interest in and understanding of the work types(s) relevant to this role
Sound commercial awareness of legal market development, particularly in relation to work types(s) relevant to this role.
The ability to develop advisory relationships with partners
Strong project management and organisational skills
Excellent oral and written communications skills
Ability to work as part of a team and with lawyers of all seniority levels
Commitment to quality and attention to detail
A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

Responsibilities

Support the implementation of BD and marketing plans, ensuring alignment with firmwide strategy.
Track progress against plans to achieve over-arching goals, focusing on ROI on a periodic basis.
Support research initiatives on regional product and market trends, clients, prospects, and competitors to inform strategic marketing decisions.
Manage the quality of output, ensuring partner expectations are being met.
Support the relevant product group in implementing its BD plan.
Work with relevant stakeholders to develop/shape BD product offerings and initiatives.
Promote BD offerings and initiatives within the product group and the firm more widely.
Proactively spot market trends and opportunities for the product group across the region and globally.
Provide tailored input into significant product pitches and updating and maintaining capability statements.
Assist in identifying opportunities to position and raise the profile of the product group and its individual lawyers.
Involvement in the organisation of relevant BD client events, seminars and conferences, sponsorships, PR, etc.
Support multiple marketing communications projects, including the delivery of relevant directory/awards submissions.
Support in the creation and distribution of thought leadership material.
Apply depth of product knowledge to support firmwide client and sector programmes.
Awareness of competitor, client and marketplace analysis to identify new and emerging client and sector opportunities.
Work closely with relevant key stakeholder(s) to execute on strategically important BD function projects.
Support the implementation of the BD Operating Model by assisting with the alignment of activity to teams (within and outside of BD), in line with technology roadmaps and transition plans.