Business Development Manager

Role

The purpose of this role is to lead, drive and advise on business development activity across our firm in South Africa. This role will focus on developing opportunities arising from the combination of our strengths as a full-service law firm and our leading reputation in these areas. The emphasis will also be on enhancing current marketing processes and developing new ones to deliver an efficient service to the business. This role is key in supporting a dynamic business that aims to change the very business of law.

Responsibilities

To help set the benchmark for a new approach to the delivery of BD at the firm in South Africa working closely with members of the Business Services function in South Africa and the BD and Marketing team.
Work closely with key partners and lawyer teams to create, manage, budget for and implement business and marketing plans. This will include acting as an advisor to the groups in relation to the marketplace and how to approach it as well as a leader in the commercial implementation of these plans.
Deliver and participate in client facing, sales driven initiatives such as events, seminars, client workshops and roundtables and attend sales opportunities with partners and lawyers.
Manage the sales (bids) pipeline including coordinating South Africa's participation in pitches, contributing to the progression of new business opportunities and driving action around the preparation for and follow up to marketing activities with a view to closing new business.
Work with Practice leaders to develop products and build comprehensive campaigns around these products/services.
Establish, chair and drive activity through regular 'go to market' group meetings as appropriate.
Access the resources of the firm to gather relevant research and market understanding and moreover use this to develop insight and actionable intelligence which can feed the marketing planning and business development process.
Engage with Africa and Global Marketing function via a client/customer relationship to access campaigns support; the capture of experience; the delivery database support; press, media and communications and brand/collateral support.
Apply a sophisticated approach to the use of data, web, SEO, analytics, business analysis, client targeting and the development of content to generate leads for pursuit.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

Technical Experience and Skills

Significant BD experience working in a professional services environment
Management and leadership skills are a must
Experience in developing and implementing business and marketing plans, including budgeting
Experience of creating and rolling out marketing campaigns
Understanding of the basics of data-driven and digital marketing
Experience of driving through change in a challenging environment


Personal Skills / Attributes

Drive, energy and the determination to create a rewarding and impactful role in an ambitious firm where change is occurring rapidly
Commercial focus
Able to interact positively at all levels and a good team player
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills
Able to prioritise and multi-task particularly when working under pressure and to tight deadlines
Able to demonstrate excellent customer facing skills
Can demonstrate initiative and the ability to be proactive, while also being able to follow instructions and provide support to Partners and Senior members of the Marketing & Business Development department
Can carry out all responsibilities in a way which supports the practice’s values and promotes its equal opportunities and diversity principles.