Business Development Manager, Private Wealth and Sport

The role

The firm has developed a three-year business plan which will see it grow to around £80 million revenue, including through the recruitment of a number of new partners. While growth is planned in each of the firm's practices, Private Wealth is a key component of our firm and our growth in this area requires the support of a strong and effective business development programme.

As such we have an exciting requirement for a Business Development Manager (BDM) to provide senior level support for our Private Wealth sector group as well as the firm's Sport sector group.  You will have a proactive approach to your work and have strong influencing skills in order to advise effectively at this level.

This Private Wealth element of the role extends beyond simply supporting the Private Client & Family department and includes supporting our initiatives aimed at servicing the legal needs of individuals, families, business owners, trustees and family offices.

Our Sports group seeks to engage with individual sports people, agents, clubs and sports businesses. There is of course considerable cross-over in both audiences, and we estimate that the split of the role is around 75% private wealth and 25% sport sector.

The role will involve building close working relationships, particularly with partners, to develop and implement the groups' BD strategies and objectives.

In addition to leading on the BD activities of these groups, the role will also provide support and be required to lead on agreed firmwide BD projects, such as managing key intermediary relationships, improving our pitch and tender processes, and cross-firm targeting initiatives. These will be agreed following further discussion with the Head of Clients & Markets and BD & Marketing Director.

The role sits within the Business Development & Marketing team, but obviously works very closely with partners and lawyers involved in the groups they support. They will have line management responsibility for one BD Assistant and will work closely with other members of the 20 strong team who provide BD, marketing communications, digital, CRM and events support.

Role responsibility

• Providing strategic and advisory support to develop robust annual BD plans (objectives, tactics and budgets) for both Private Wealth and Sport.  Including possible identification of new areas for the sectors to exploit.
• Identifying opportunities for profitable growth via cross-selling and new business initiatives e.g. exploring and developing relationships with key referrer organisations and individuals willing and able to introduce clients that meet our selection criteria.
• Focusing on building the firm’s profile and brand in key markets in the development of targeted and well executed thought leadership ideas, campaigns, PR, award/directory submissions and events, measuring ROI.
• Providing support for responses to tender, ad-hoc pitching and provision of high-quality credentials, presentations and promotional collateral as part of the sales process.
• Development of strong effective credible relationships with Partners and practice/sector group based on knowledge of the Firm, the wider practices/sectors and markets.
• Strengthening the business development and marketing capabilities by providing a coaching resource to Partners to help them focus on the right opportunities, develop their marketing and selling skills in order develop their creativity and facilitate their strategy to the implementation phase.
• Attending industry events, conferences, and networking functions to establish the firm's presence and promote the brands visibility and opportunities.

Contributing to BD

• Enhancing the reputation of the BD team within the Firm for its professionalism and for the strategic and distinctive value it provides.
• Defining and assisting in the development of the wider marketing and business development plan for cross-firm initiatives.
• Assisting the Head of Clients & Markets and BD & Marketing Director in leading agreed cross-firm projects.
• Acting as a role model in the BD team.

Leadership & Management

• Providing oversight and direction to the BD Assistant using coaching, mentoring and other development initiatives.
• Empowering the BD Assistant to take responsibility for their goals. Delegating tasks at the appropriate level and expecting accountability and regular feedback at all times.
• Maintaining transparent communication with all team members using department and team meetings, as well as regular one-to-ones.

About you

The ideal candidate will demonstrate that they have:

• Credibility through a high level of knowledge, insight and understanding of the private wealth industry and ideally the sport sector and with existing contacts and industry networks (possibly developed through having been a practitioner in law, accountancy or wealth management, but have now chosen to do BD)
• The confidence and gravitas to attend relevant industry conferences and events either in support of another partner or lawyer, or on their own behalf.
• Strong BD credentials with a focus on the Private Wealth sector e.g. experience of targeting high net worth individuals and investment management.
• The ability to bring new ideas to the table and to present these clearly to help persuade and influence across all levels of the business.
• Excellent communication, time and project management skills, including the ability to prioritise effectively and work well under pressure.
• Good writing skills, able to write persuasive and succinct prose.
• A track record in developing and coaching more junior colleagues.
• The ability to work as a team player who is analytical, tenacious, adaptable and self-motivated.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual holiday
• Permanent Health Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Interest free Season Ticket Loan
• Private Healthcare
• Pension Scheme
• Staff Introductory Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

About us

We are a London based, full-service law firm, specialising in providing straightforward advice to entrepreneurial businesses and individuals on domestic and international matters.

We have grown substantially in recent years, including two mergers and an office move. We’ve also matured in terms of our approach to providing advice to our clients, seeking to simplify and improve the experience of working with a modern, independent law firm.

We’re proud of our journey. Without losing sight of where we’ve come from, we are focused on where we’re going. We are evolving and growing every day. And just like our clients, we are ambitious and moving forward. Many of our clients are entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises who are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. We are one of the only London based law firms with a large private wealth offering alongside significant business law capability.

The firm also advises major corporates on particular specialist legal matters who find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.