Description:
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier international law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. Debevoise clients engage our lawyers for the high degree of quality, strategic focus and creativity we bring to our legal advice. Our talented administrative and legal support staff bring the same commitment to their work, ensuring the firm delivers the highest level of service and a distinctive client experience. We attract and retain highly skilled and dedicated staff by providing a work environment that is diverse, collaborative, respectful and collegial, and where professional growth is encouraged and nurtured. The firm is seeking a Business Development Manager to become an integral part of our Marketing Department. The Business Development Manager reports to the Director of Global Marketing Services.
Overview of Professional Responsibilities:
- Principal, and most senior, point of contact for business development activities, including collaborating with other business development and practice management staff globally to identify cross-selling opportunities.
- Serve as the primary project manager for lawyers, and corresponding New York practice manager(s), for all marketing services including events, design, technology, alumni and overall business development support. In this capacity, the Business Development Manager will liaise/collaborate with dedicated teams in these various functions.
- Manage assigned projects from inception to implementation with clear communication throughout the process to a variety of internal stakeholders, including partners.
- Direct, lead and manage the creation of pitch/RFP/marketing materials for delivery to potential and existing clients. This includes gathering input from lawyers and other sources of information; drafting original content regarding qualifications; drafting and compiling value proposition statements, financial proposals, budgets and timelines for opportunities; providing pitch preparation; and coaching the lawyers on strategy and follow-up.
- Provide strategic direction in consideration of whether and how to pursue new business opportunities for existing and prospective clients.
- Oversee and direct competitive intelligence exercises, including identifying potential opportunities and synergies with existing business development activities being conducted across the firm.
- Proactively work with partners to develop ideas for targeted prominence-raising activities (content programming, thought leadership, etc.) then liaise with the relevant marketing services teams to execute.
- Identify opportunities to improve, simplify and streamline process for Business Development support.
- Actively manage, support and engage in substantive training for junior members of the Business Development team who will assist with new business initiatives.
- Conduct high-level analysis of data – for companies, individuals, markets, competitors – to provide strategic advice to lawyers.
- Provide strategic input and guidance to legal directory and awards submissions. This includes managing the process, with junior support, of drafting and editing submissions, scheduling and overseeing interviews, and conducting competitor analyses of key rankings & results.
- Oversight and project management of relevant third-party league table submissions including the tracking/analysis/dissemination of results.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent is required; JD preferred.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate effectively with lawyers and staff at all levels within the organization, and from time to time with clients and third parties.
- Strong interest in people management, including collaborative work style and willingness to invest in the development of more junior team members.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail is critical and must be demonstrated.
- Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Self-starter; ability to work efficiently and effectively as an individual and as a member of a team.
- Proactive approach and can-do attitude with problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work flexibly to cover early mornings, nights and weekends as and when necessary.
- Advanced skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint preferred. InterAction/CRM experience is a plus.