Divisional Business Development Manager

Lewis Silkin is a UK top-100 commercial law firm with offices in London, Oxford, Cardiff and Hong Kong. The firm is recognised by clients and industries alike as being distinct: for its deep understanding, insight and advice to creative, innovative and brand-focused businesses; for its market-leading international practice in employment, immigration and reward; and for delivering pragmatic, commercial advice in a refreshingly human way.

With 59 partners and more than 340 staff, the firm is structured around two key divisions; the Employment, Immigration and Reward (EIR) and the Creators, Makers and Innovators (CMI).

The employment team of Lewis Silkin is one of the leading employment law practices both domestically and internationally. Our team is amongst the largest in the UK with 23 employment / immigration partners and around 100 other specialist lawyers.

Purpose of the role

This is a six month fixed term contract role (Sabbatical cover). The role holder is embedded in, and dedicated to supporting the Employment, Immigration and Reward Division, including local office marketing and business development (BD), core and complementary services as well as responsibility for firm-wide sectors as assigned. The role holder is accountable for parts of the divisional strategy and jointly owns the functional BD objectives together with the other managers and the Divisional Head of BD.

Main Responsibilities

• Marketing and BD planning – develop marketing and BD strategy for respective areas (including some of the firms key sectors) and manage the delivery of an activity schedule to support growth. Supporting the Divisional Head of Business Development and Sector Account Managers on the annual BD and marketing budgeting process for the division and monitor both effectiveness and spend on a regular basis.

• Tenders and pitches – deliver winning pitches and responses to RFPs: assessing pitch opportunities and making recommendations on approach; drafting of the tender document; liaising with Ius Laboris firms on responses; coaching pitch/tender teams; post-pitch debrief and analysis (both internal and external) and feeding learnings into the process.

• Marketing communications - manage the campaign-focussed marketing communications ‘mix’ which includes public relations, event management as well as internal communications to continually raise the profile of the Division and Ius Laboris.

• Market analysis and research - identify opportunities arising from new legislation and developments in our practice areas, trends in the market and changes in our clients’ businesses; industry sector research; supporting the Divisional Head of Business Development with growth/ marketing plans for the employment division.

• Client development - work with individual partners and teams to manage client development –provide analysis on client trends, fees, cross-selling opportunities etc.

• ‘Champion’ firm wide initiatives - ensure buy-in to firm-wide programmes such as effective use of CRM system (Interaction); web and digital presence and development; business development and marketing training and coaching.   

Requirements for the role

• Educated to degree level and/or Chartered Institute of Marketing.

• Broad experience of managing and implementing a diverse set of marketing and business development programmes.

• Previous experience working in a professional services firm (required) or law firm (desired).

• Able to influence and persuade through demonstration of experience and knowledge.

• Ability to work to deadlines, juggle multiple projects and deliver under pressure.

• High attention to detail and strong client focus.

• Able to communicate with a broad population of contacts - both written and oral.

• Professional, proactive, creative, good humoured and enthusiastic approach to all work and interactions.

• Strong team player.

No agencies please.

Lewis Silkin is an Equal Opportunities employer.