Job Description

Job description
We are recruiting a Business Development Manager to support Data, IP and Tech (DDIT) & Digital Infra/Tech transactions M&A in London.
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE Our business development, marketing and communication teams contribute to the setting and achievement of the firm's business objectives, which includes supporting our partners and associates in their pursuit of becoming out clients' trusted advisers, building and maintaining long-lasting, deep institutional client relationships, winning new clients, increasing the visibility of the firm globally, and positioning the firm as the thought leader and most advances law firm among the global elite law firms. The function works as one team across the globe with very close collaboration between the central groups - such as Communications or Events - and professional supporting offices, practice groups, sectors and clients.
ROLE PURPOSE We have business development (BD) teams embedded in, and dedicated to supporting, the global practice and sector groups. This role supports the DDIT and digital infrastructure/tech transactions groups within the M&A practice in London. The groups cover a broad range of product areas including commercial contracts, data protection, IP licensing/collaborations, tech transactions and AI, with a particular focus on IP-rich sectors such as technology, telecoms, media and life sciences.
This role is responsible for strategic and day-to-day business development support for the London group and on selected global initiatives, including co-leading the international data protection BD community and leading Talking Tech Together - an initiative bringing together senior women lawyers in tech. The role reports into a global DDIT Senior BD Manager based in London and benefits from having support based in Belfast on day to day tasks.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Business planning and advice - provide focus to the delivery and direction of BD activities. Play a key influencing role with partners on business development activities and projects. Co-lead on communication, coordination and strategic leadership of the international data protection BD community.
• Proposals - take the lead role in preparing proposals, pitch presentations and credentials statements for London-based DDIT and digital infra/tech transactions partners. Coach partners on their presentations and ensure the teams follow best practice. Input into documents prepared by other practice groups and offices requiring the relevant commercial product expertise. Seek client feedback, capture proposal outcomes and prompt fee earners to act upon feedback.
• Client account management - assist partners, associates and BD colleagues in the management of strategic client relationships and coordinate client targeting efforts. Work with the central client relationship management (CRM) team on specific client tactics, including secondee debriefs, client presentations and training. Develop an in-depth knowledge of the key clients in the market. Ensure regular sharing of information on client activities.
• Campaign management - work with the partners, senior associates and the knowledge team to develop and execute integrated business development campaigns. Plan roundtables, client seminars and industry sponsorships to raise awareness of our expertise in key product areas. Liaise with the Communications/PR team to develop a stronger external profile for the selected product areas.
• Client listening - work on client listening programmes as appropriate and carry out client listening sessions with key clients. Assimilate the feedback into reports for the relevant partners. Proactively work with the partners to ensure that the feedback in the report is actioned appropriately.
• Market and client research - to support business planning activities and identify opportunities.
• Client events and hospitality - proactively identify appropriate client entertainment opportunities with lawyers and the CRM team. Challenge partners where appropriate on best use of hospitality opportunities and marketing budget spend. Track marketing spend against clients and individuals/teams within clients to ensure activities are aligned with overall strategic priorities.
• Internal communications - oversee the maintenance of a flow of market/client intelligence (e.g. pipeline deals, major players, market shares, key client contact moves and developments) to partners and associates.
• BD tactics - responsible for the timeliness, consistency and quality of BD tools. Work with PAs and BD Executive/Assistant resource to ensure email distribution and target lists are kept up-to-date, maintain updated collateral, credentials, contact cards and CVs, and track and ensure deal information is regularly and accurately captured in the firm's experience system
• Additional projects - opportunity to assist in firm wide, local, departmental or practice area projects.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Substantial relevant business development and marketing experience at a BD Manager or Senior Executive level within a professional services organisation or in the sector, where the individual frequently worked with management of individual practice or service lines.
• Enthusiasm to develop an in-depth understanding of the global commercial, tech and data market/practice (in terms of the market, the deals, the key players, the competition, and the actual structures and approaches involved in this area). Previous commercial, tech and data market experience would be a plus, but is not essential.
• Proven track record of achieving product-line business objectives.
• Excellent communication skills - both written and oral.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills - with partners, key associates, and business development colleagues, clients and suppliers. Ability to motivate fee-earners to engage on business development projects and to work with them to develop and implement business development plans.
• A proactive approach, balancing creativity and tenacity.
• High attention to detail and strong client focus.
• Ability to motivate, develop and inspire both team and fee-earners to deliver business goals and change behaviour where required. Draws on experience to manage change.
• Ability to work to deadlines, juggle multiple projects and deliver under pressure.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.
We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.
Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.
Area of expertise
Marketing
Office
London - Bishops Square
Additional information - External
A&O Shearman is a global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 28 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.
We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.
Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.
What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.
Working arrangement
Hybrid (combination of office & remote working)

Skills Required