Disputes Business Development and Marketing Manager

Farrer & Co is an independent law firm, with a long history in advising private families, individuals, charitable institutions, the education sector and businesses.

We look to be a market leader in our chosen market sectors, advising clients on the contentious and non-contentious legal, business and personal issues they face.

Our reputation and success is based on the goodwill of numerous close client relationships. We are trusted advisers, acting in our clients' long-term interests and paying careful attention to quality, thoughtfulness and personal service.

Our clients tell us they value us for our integrity, good judgement and professional excellence. They also like our broad perspective, clever solutions and value for money.

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

A newly created role with responsibility for developing and implementing BD and marketing plan for the Disputes department, covering the following services Contentious Trusts & Estates, Commercial Litigation, Reputation Management, International Arbitration, IP, Technology and Data-related disputes, Banking and Finance Litigation, Art Litigation and Property Litigation teams.

The main purpose of this role is to support the Disputes department to build on its internal and external reputation as a leading firm for their services in their key markets. 

The successful candidate would work closely with the Disputes Partners, Knowledge Lawyer(s), Head of Business Development and Senior Marketing Communications Manager. A strong collegiate approach with genuine enthusiasm for legal BD and Marketing is a key attribute for a successful candidate.

Firm strategy and BD:

• Develops a knowledge of the dispute department’s services as well as an understanding of the group’s revenue priorities, clients and prospects. A key focus for the role will be understanding the work pipeline through an intermediary networks.
• Leads the support of marketing and business development planning, including working closely with sector BD Mangers to identify best opportunities and maximise the best use of the Disputes BD time and resources to win the most profitable work.
• Manage practice area strategy plans and marketing budgets. Oversee that appropriate ROI measures are in place to ensure the success of business development activity. Identifying reporting improvements – collaborating with Finance and IT so that appropriate tools/reports are available to evaluate ROI where there are gaps.
• Conducting business development research to support strategy, working closely with our offshore BI service provider.
• Identify new business development opportunities. You will act as a trusted advisor, coaching Partners and Fee Earners on business development including, intermediary referral relationships (internal and external) and client service.
• Coach Partners and Fee Earners on pitch best practice in competitive situations, including No/Go decisions, lead on production and submission of strategic pitches/provide or oversee the input for the Disputes department on firmwide pitch opportunities.
• Identify, organise and evaluate strategic sponsorships, key memberships and speaking opportunities at external conferences and seminars.
• Responsibility for in-house events programme (in-person and virtual). This will include working with the sector BD Managers to ensure presence in the cross-firm sector seminars and events.
• Identify business development skill gaps across Partners and Fee Earners, including support on personal business development and marketing plans for junior Partners and next generation Partners. Work closely with the Knowledge and Learning and Development team.
• Managing and contributing to wider cross-firm BD projects as required.

Marketing Communication and profile raising

• Working closely with the central marketing and communications team on a strategic approach to raising the profile of our disputes services to support efforts to win the most profitable and leading cases in their markets, this will include:
  • Develop messaging to differentiate the Firm for disputes work, including for pitches, brochures and other marketing collateral.
  • Reviewing, editing and monitoring website copy to ensure best SEO.
  • Identifying opportunities for PR, marketing and thought leadership campaigns.
  • Developing and leading on directories and awards strategy for the department, including no/go decision making process.

• At least 5-6 years in professional services BD and marketing environment, with experience in a manager role.
• Ideally knowledge of dispute resolution and/or Private Wealth environment.
• High emotional intelligence with a pleasant nature and ability to influence others with diplomacy.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to present ideas and views clearly and with confidence.
• Able to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.
• Demonstrates a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to manage workload and competing priorities.
• Able to confidently liaise with people at all levels, including partners and peers in the wider Marketing & BD team.

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.

Happy to talk flexible working.