Business Development Proposals Manager

Clifford Chance•Houston, TX

13d

About The Position

The Business Development Proposals Manager supports the proposal strategy for the Corporate Transactions & Advisory (CT&A) Global Product Group, helping maximise the Firm’s success on strategic opportunities. The position sits within Global Proposals and is aligned to CT&A, working closely with GPG partners, lawyers and Business Development colleagues to manage complex proposals and convert priority opportunities. It has a global remit, with a primary focus on proposals in the European market, and collaborates with Global Proposals colleagues across regions on cross-border CT&A opportunities. The role leads strategic, complex and multi-jurisdictional proposal processes from start to finish. It advises, challenges, directs, coaches and supports stakeholders throughout the proposal lifecycle; drafts and develops tailored, client-centric pitch materials; and supports proposal submissions through online portals. The manager also promotes effective use of marketing technologies, delivers proposal training, and conducts win/loss debriefs. The position builds relationships with CT&A partners, lawyers, Business Development colleagues and other Business Professionals, including Commercial Pricing and Document Production. It helps maintain momentum in new-business efforts, develop strong propositions throughout the RFP process, and share best practices, tools, training and infrastructure for effective proposal development. The manager is the key CT&A liaison with Global Proposals on global panel pitches, pipeline tracking, reporting and RFP outcome analysis.

Requirements

Extensive experience working on competitive proposals and pitches.
Extensive experience working across functions in international, regional and local contexts.
Experience working at a senior level in a partnership.
Proven ability to build strong working relationships with senior management.
Proven ability to lead staff at all levels and delegate effectively.
Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism and act discreetly when required.
Ability to build relationships quickly with senior stakeholders.
Excellent listening, oral and written communication skills.
High level of self-awareness and ability to adapt working style to different situations.
Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
Highly developed analytical skills and a passion for problem solving.
Strong IT literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and exposure to web portals used to manage RFP processes.

Nice To Haves

Experience working on competitive proposals and pitches within the professional services market is ideal.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic, complex and multi-jurisdictional CT&A proposals in support of the GPG BD team, partners and lawyers.
Manage the end-to-end proposal process and serve as the lead and central point of contact for strategic CT&A opportunities.
Advise, challenge, direct, coach and support stakeholders throughout the proposal lifecycle.
Coach, oversee and support junior colleagues during pitch processes.
Draft, review and edit pitch documents, developing compelling, tailored and client-centric propositions.
Manage proposal submissions through online portals and advise on best practices for online reverse auctions.
Develop creative ways to communicate with clients during pitch processes and create compelling written content.
Promote effective use of the Firm’s marketing technologies and support processes for standard pitch content, pipeline reporting and capability statements.
Deliver proposal training sessions to lawyers and Business Development teams.
Conduct win/loss debriefs for global proposals and pitches.
Work with partners and Business Development management to maintain momentum in winning new business.
Build working relationships with CT&A partners, lawyers and BD colleagues, and develop an understanding of the GPG’s strategic priorities, client base and market propositions.
Collaborate with Business Professionals, including Commercial Pricing and Document Production, to drive the pitch process.
Work with teams to develop strong propositions at all stages of the RFP process.
Support the development and sharing of proposals best practices, tools, techniques, infrastructure and training courses.
Liaise with the Global Proposals team on global panel pitches, proposal pipeline tracking, reporting and RFP outcome analysis.