Business Development Advisor

Watson Farley & Williams 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.

Delivering all Business Development and Marketing requirements for the Athens office.

The role is very much an account management one and will require a self-motivated person who is capable of supporting, enthusing and coordinating the Partners in the management of existing client relationships and the development of new business opportunities.

Working hands-on with Partners in the firm’s Athens office driving business development activity aligned to the sector and practice strategy.

• Drafting and implementing business development and marketing plans.

• Identifying campaigns to grow new and existing business.

• Project managing 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 including Legal 500 and Chambers.

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

• Managing the Partners’ elements of the firm’s marketing information requirements ensuring 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, the website and WFW intranet.

• Assisting the associates in the office with improving business development skills.

• Championing the use of all BD systems, including our CRM 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.

• Previous experience advising on business development and marketing

• The ability to work effectively with and influence Partners and others.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills.

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

• Tenacity to see projects and tasks through to completion.

• Good team-working/building skills.

• Strong attention to detail.

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.