Business Development Manager: Businesses Pillar in London

The Firm
Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service. We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.

Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that’s a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That’s why they choose us.

Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them. Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.

The Team
The Marketing & BD team at Farrer & Co is responsible for development and implementation of the firm’s marketing strategy, including profile and reputation, marketing communications, and business development. This extends to all aspects of marketing planning, brand management, campaigns, events, CRM, market and client analysis, pitches and tenders, website, content and digital strategy.

Businesses areas of focus
We specialise in Businesses with a significant private capital focus (in line with the firm’s three key specialisms: private wealth, private capital and institutions). The focus on private capital includes Private and Family Businesses, Established Entrepreneurs and Professional Service Firms. Our dedicated fee earner teams specialise in guiding clients through both the investment and divestment of capital, managed by our transactional lawyers, and the protection of their assets and business interests, which is overseen by our disputes, private wealth, and commercial advisory experts.

Over the years, we have built significant sector expertise across corporate, commercial, contentious and property-related matters in key industry groups, including energy and renewables; healthcare, pharmaceuticals and life sciences; hotels, hospitality and leisure; media, technology and publishing; retail and consumer; and sports, and these will form focus areas for the role.

Scope
This role is focused on delivering day-to-day business development and marketing activity for Farrer & Co’s Businesses sectors, ensuring continuity and momentum across a growing and ambitious part of the firm's pillar structure. The successful candidate will take responsibility for the hands-on delivery of projects, campaigns, pitches, client targeting, and strategic intermediary management, as well as supporting partners and fee earners in the pursuit of new business opportunities. A key part of the role will be the day-to-day management, coaching and development of a Business Development Executive. This is a delivery-focused position suited to an experienced manager who can quickly get up to speed, take ownership of existing plans, work collaboratively and keep activity on track.

Responsibilities

• With the key partners, develop and deliver strategic plans for all the firm’s Businesses sectors.
• Deliver day-to-day business development and marketing activity for the Businesses sectors, ensuring projects progress smoothly and agreed plans are implemented.
• Support partners and fee earners on client development, intermediary engagement and business development initiatives, ensuring activity is aligned with agreed priorities.
• Manage and coach a Business Development Executive, providing clear guidance, feedback and day-to-day support.
• Where needed, lead on award submissions and legal directories.
• Support partners and fee earners with pitches, including go/no-go decisions, developing high level messaging, drafting, coordination and submission.
• Drive client targeting and analysis projects, ensuring follow-up activity is captured and progressed.
• Coordinate the organisation and delivery of events, sponsorships, and campaigns, ensuring activity is delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Work closely with the wider Marketing & BD team to ensure content, digital activity and external communications align with the stated objectives.
• Maintain oversight of budgets, monitoring spend and tracking ROI for activity.
• Contribute to firmwide M&BD projects as required.

Skills and Experience

• Detailed experience in business development and marketing within a professional services environment. You will have recent experience in a Corporate/M&A role.
• Strong understanding of the full marketing and business development mix and how it applies in a law firm context.
• Proven ability to manage and deliver multiple projects simultaneously, with strong attention to detail.
• Confident working with partners and senior stakeholders, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrable experience of preparing and delivering pitches, campaigns and directory submissions.
• Experience of managing and coaching junior team members.
• A proactive, hands-on approach, with the ability to work independently and take ownership of delivery.

Person Specification

• A collaborative team player with the ability to build strong working relationships across all levels of the firm.
• A clear and confident communicator, able to influence and gain buy-in from stakeholders.
• Highly organised and able to prioritise effectively in a busy and fast-moving environment.
• Practical and delivery-focused, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Flexible, adaptable and resilient, with the ability to hit the ground running and quickly get to grips with new subject matter.

Education and Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field. Master’s degree or professional qualification preferred. 8 – 10 years' experience in business development or marketing with at least four years of management level experience (including direct line management experience), ideally in a professional services firm, or market relevant industry.

Special aspects
Happy to talk flexible working. This role is suitable for individuals looking to work full time or potentially 4-days FTE. Flexible working patterns will be considered within the firm’s agile working framework. The hours of work for this opportunity are 09:30am-5:30pm but it is essential to be committed, flexible and prepared to work beyond the normal office hours when necessary and in response to client demand.

Farrer & Co is an equal opportunity employer which welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We look to employ the best candidates regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We are keen to ensure candidates have the best interview experience possible; if you require any adjustments during the interview or application process, please let the recruitment team know.

Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which includes a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.