Business Development Assistant

We have a new opportunity for a Business Development Assistant or Business Development Executive to join our team on an initial 2-month fixed term contract (with potential to be extendd) to provide additional support to the team.

Reporting to the Senior Business Development Manager (SBDM), this is an exciting time for a professional and pro-active individual join a dynamic and talented team and support our well-regarded Private Wealth and Sport sectors in their business development efforts. The role covers an interesting mix of business development and marketing activities including events, directory submissions, client targeting initiatives, budget management, CRM, occasional pitching and supporting on campaigns and content creation.

This Private Wealth element of the role extends beyond supporting the three core departments (Wealth & Succession, Family and Trusts & Estates Disputes) and includes supporting our cross-stream sector initiatives involving the corporate, real estate and commercial disputes practice groups with an exciting vision to service the legal needs of affluent individuals, families, business owners, trustees and family offices throughout their life journeys.

Our Sport group seeks to engage with high-profile 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.

Main responsibilities

BAU Support

• Provide day-to-day BD and marketing support to fee earners in the Private Wealth and Sport sectors.
• Monitor business development budgets and expenditure monthly.
• Arrange sector and department monthly meetings, preparing agendas when necessary, circulating minutes and action points. Following up as needed.
• Use CRM to log experience and pitches, maintain and update information for legal directories and referees, develop and maintain sector CRM and marketing lists, and report and research on insights and activities as necessary.
• Assist in the drafting and delivery of BD plans.

Marketing Collateral and Pitching

• Prepare first drafts of marketing brochures, occasional pitches and client presentations, and keep them up to date.
• Update and maintain the credentials and experience database for legal directories and work with the Marketing Communications team to keep our website and Intranet pages updated.

Directories and Awards

• Manage the annual directory submission process. Work with lawyers to draft and submit to the directories, regularly reviewing strategy with SBDM to maximise opportunities to improve rankings.
• Support the lawyers with directory related interviews, including drafting interview preparation notes.
• Assist the Marketing Communications team, when needed, in preparing legal awards submissions and communicating and maximising the impact of ranking promotions and any award short listings and successes.

Events, Conferences and International Trips

• Lead on event planning and idea generation, ensuring events are in line with the sectors' BD objectives.
• Manage event logistics, liaising with the Senior Events Executive and the Catering and Hospitality team as required.
• Liaise with lawyers and third parties on content as necessary; manage the invitation process, using Vuture and CRM as needed.
• Communicate with internal stakeholders and third-party suppliers as needed.
• Create and manage the calendar of events and activities, ensuring that the team is aware (bi-weekly summary for PW; monthly update for the Family Department).
• Maintain awareness of early bird deadlines, ensuring tickets are purchased and travel organised in a timely manner to prevent unnecessary overspend.
• Manage the marketing strategy to maximise impact of events, conferences and international trips, working closely with the Marketing Communications team to execute marketing tactics and ensure all key channels are used.
• Proactively manage follow-up, ensuring the completion of international trip reports by lawyers (normally within two weeks of a trip) and reporting on / supporting lead generation.
• Own NextGen initiatives, run monthly meetings with NextGen and maximise the energy and talent of the NextGen network.

Content and Campaigns

• Manage the process for delivering client-facing Private Wealth newsletters, supporting the lawyers to produce relevant legal updates, bulletins and blogs.
• Support the development of departmental content and campaigns, providing ideas on topical news and issues.
• Regularly review what competitors are doing in terms of key campaigns and initiatives and report back to the SBDM.
• Undertake ad-hoc research requests related to legal topics, people, clients and prospects or markets. For example, competitor websites, LinkedIn searches, marketing opportunities such as sponsorships and internal CRM system searches.
• Work closely with the SBDM to develop a marketing strategy on key campaigns and liaise with the central Marketing and Comms team to execute marketing tactics and ensure all key channels are used to maximise impact.
• Manage/monitor the publishing process of Passles to ensure they are in line with BD strategy and maximise engagement / coverage. Report on statistics as required.
• Support the SBDM on PR strategy and liaise with the Comms Executive in generating PR stories.

About you

Ideally you will be able to demonstrate;

• The ability to think strategically and commercially.
• Proven experience working in professional services, preferably within the legal sector.
• Private Wealth sector knowledge and experience (preferable)
• Initiative and proactivity, being able to anticipate stakeholders' needs.
• A team player who is analytical, tenacious and self-motivated.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Attention to detail.
• The ability to interact with and build relationships with individuals at all levels across the business.