Business Development Specialist - New York

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) was established in London in 1982 and is an international law firm dedicated to client care, legal excellence and investment in its people.  The firm has offices in Athens, Bangkok, Dubai, London, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, Rome and Singapore.

The firm has seen rapid expansion in size and geography.  Having started as a maritime law firm, in which it remains pre-eminent, the firm is today recognised for its specialist focus on five core sectors: Energy & Infrastructure, Maritime, Natural Resources, Real Estate and Transport in which it provides a full suite of services including finance, corporate, dispute resolution, tax, employment and regulatory

The Global BD and Communications teams at WFW comprise: Director of Client & Strategic Development, Director of Global Business Development, Business Development Managers, External and Internal Communications Managers, Communications Assistant, Campaigns Manager, Intranet Manager, Events Managers, Database Manager (includes CRM) and a Graphic / Web Designer.

There are also a range of BD and Marketing professionals based across our offices in Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Acting as the single point of contact for the New York office lawyers to deliver all their BD and marketing needs and in promoting the firm’s services to current and potential clients

The focus of the role is account management and will require a self-motivated person who is capable of supporting and coordinating with lawyers in the management of existing client relationships and the development of new business opportunities with new and existing clients.

• Working hands-on with New York office lawyers, driving business development activity matched to the practice strategy.

• Drafting and implementing business and marketing plans.

• Identifying campaigns to grow new and existing business.

• Working on pitches and credentials statements, covering the entire process (including document preparation, presentation rehearsals and post pitch feedback).

• Preparing partners ahead of client/prospect meetings.

• Managing directory submissions, league tables and awards.

• Devising and coordinating events and conference attendance to develop/maintain market positions matched to the business strategy and generate leads for the Partners/practice.

• Managing the Partner elements of the firm’s marketing information requirements to ensure credentials and other relevant information are up to date and readily accessible in central databases.

• Drafting and updating marketing materials, including web content and other collateral.

• Raising the profile of the partners/practice via various communication channels, including social media and the website.

• Championing the use of our CRM (client relationship management) system (including ensuring all relevant information is in the system).

• Involvement in account management as it develops across the firm including client feedback.

• Taking part in firmwide projects as appropriate.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills.

• Good team-working/building skills.

• Professional services or relevant market experience.

• The ability to take responsibility for and lead specific projects.

• Tenacity to see projects and tasks through to completion.

At Watson Farley & Williams we value diversity and promote a culture of respect for each individual. We encourage workforce diversity at all levels and in all aspects from recruitment and selection to appraisal and promotion. All decisions relating to employment practice will be objective and based on merit and ability.