Business Development Specialist

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a leading international law firm with offices across the world. It has a substantial European practice with particular emphasis on international arbitration and litigation, cross-border acquisitions, capital markets transactions, private equity funds, financings and restructurings. The London office has more than 120 lawyers, including 25 partners and 13 international counsel. Over two thirds of our lawyers are UK-qualified. Our London lawyers work closely with their colleagues in New York, Paris, Frankfurt and Moscow, as well as with lawyers in our other offices. The London office has an overall count of around 240. 

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. 

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s Marketing Services team supports the firm’s global network of lawyers with business development, event planning and execution, graphic design, marketing technology and alumni relations activities. With staff resident in our London, New York, Frankfurt, Moscow and Hong Kong offices, Marketing Services professionals provide cross-office support on a wide range of projects that endeavour to further the firm’s business and client development initiatives. In London, the firm’s second-largest office, the team offers full-service capabilities and coordinates with colleagues around the world in support of the London office’s various practice and industry group initiatives and other marketing activities.

The firm is seeking a Business Development Specialist to become an integral part of our Marketing Department. The Business Development Specialist reports to the Director of Global Marketing Services.

 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide business development support to practice and industry groups, as assigned.
• Coordinate and manage assigned projects from inception to implementation with clear communication throughout the process to a variety of internal stakeholders, including partners.
• Update and maintain the firm’s marketing materials, including brochures, practice descriptions, lawyer biographies, website, and experience lists.
• Create pitch books and other marketing materials for potential and existing clients.
• Prepare responses to Requests for Proposals/Quotations/Information for existing and potential clients, including qualitative and quantitative data compilation.
• Coordinate logistics for bi-weekly practice group meetings and prepare meeting agendas.
• Maintain various client outreach and client activity logs and databases.
• Support client team development, including client team meeting preparation and follow up.
• Assist with client-facing presentations.
• Proactively work with partners to develop targeted events and attendee lists.
• Conduct research and analysis of a company’s organizational structure, key executives, news articles, financial, market, and competitive data.
• Conduct industry and geography-specific research projects and prepare market and competitive analyses; help identify business development opportunities and develop client target lists.
• Assist with and support the execution of the firm’s strategic plans, including tracking and follow-up.
• Prepare submissions, and manage the submission process, for legal rankings, directories and league table providers such as Chambers, Legal 500, IFLR1000, Thomson, Bloomberg, SNL, and MergerMarket as part of the firm’s profile-raising activities.
• Schedule and actively participate/contribute in various business development and internal meetings.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.

• Experience in business development within a law firm or professional services organization is 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.
• 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.
• Advanced skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• 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 paid overtime, occasional nights and weekends, and flexibility in starting time.
• Majors in Business Administration, Political Science, English, Finance or other relevant areas of study is preferred
• InterAction/CRM experience is a plus.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.