The opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic Marketing & Business Development professional to join our Financial Services (FS) sector and Finance & Financial Regulation (FFR) and International Dispute Resolution (IDR) practice groups. Working alongside and reporting to the Business Development (BD) Manager for this pod, to drive forward all their MBD activities.

Our pods

Within the BD Team we have implemented a 'pod system'. This means that members of the BD Team work in small groups to support our practices and sectors. This means that, although the role is broad and covers three groups, the successful candidate will be fully supported by a BD Manager at all times, whilst also retaining a level of autonomy to run with activities.

This is an exciting role for an ambitious MBD Executive looking to work in a dynamic law firm with an engaged group of fee earners looking to push onto the next level.

You will be eligible for professional training courses offered by our external training partners and our internal Learning and Development team. You will work with stakeholders at all levels across our international firm. You will be part of a friendly and supportive Business Services team who will help to guide and support your career development. And you'll be working for a top international law firm with strong market presence and a reputation for being tech focussed, with a cutting-edge approach and a friendly and supportive culture.

The firm

Bird & Bird opens up a world of possible for lawyers and professionals everywhere. Here you can advise major enterprises and high-growth businesses on matters that are often transformative in nature, and alongside people who are truly collegiate in the way they work with everyone at Bird & Bird. We are one international firm, where over 70% of our work involves teams from across our firm. And that is only going to increase. It is this common purpose and shared approach that makes for a more productive, and collaborative place to work.

The Groups

Financial Services (FS) Sector Group

Bird & Bird's long-standing focus on where technology meets regulation means we are recognised globally as a leading law firm advising on innovation and disruptive technology. As a result, our Financial Services Sector Group expertise focusses on innovative payment services, FinTech, blockchain technology, cryptocurrency and crypto-assets, open data and APIs, robo-advice and new lending platforms. The new candidate will work closely with group Co-Heads and the international Steering Committee to implement the FS sector strategy.

Finance & Financial Regulation (FFR) Practice Group

Our Finance & Financial Regulation Practice Group is known for advising conventional commercial banks alternative lenders, special opportunity lenders and development banks/multilaterals on a wide variety financings. The group is focussed on developing in the areas of Fintech, aviation finance, energy finance, emerging markets finance, sports finance. In conjunction with our finance capability, our financial regulatory team advises financial service organisations (including banks, insurance companies, funds, investment service providers, IT suppliers and payment companies) on a wide range of regulatory requirements and matters of financial services law, both within the UK and internationally.

International Dispute Resolution (IDR) Practice Group

Our International Dispute Resolution Group operates in core areas across Europe, Middle East and APAC, with a focus on international arbitration, fraud investigations/white collar crime, product liability/insurance coverage, complex projects and infrastructure disputes, tech disputes and data privacy litigation. The candidate will have an active role in pushing forward with BD initiatives relating to our 'special interest groups' focussed on the above areas.

The team

You'll be joining our Marketing & Business Development (MBD) team who work in partnership with senior stakeholders across the firm to set the strategy and shape the tactics to build our firm's profile. They help to win new work and strengthen and deepen client relationships, using a data driven and sales focused approach. You will also be supported by our regional BD team who sit in our international offices and support our lawyers based outside of London.

In total, the MBD team is made up of over 60 specialists in marketing communications (mostly London-based), business development and client service. Whether it's driving a new content strategy, pitching for cutting-edge work, building our brand, or contributing to the development of our client relationships, we're committed to providing exceptional service to the firm and are known for leading the way when it comes to new technology and solutions. Energetic, creative and global, we're looking for people who have a passion for MBD and are keen to take a fresh approach.

What you'll do

You'll support the development and implementation of the international MBD plans for our Financial Services Sector Group and our Finance & Financial Regulation and International Dispute Resolution Practice Groups. Your role will include:

Reputation and positioning: going to market in an effective and efficient manner

• Maximising outcomes from BD initiatives, including in relation to social media and PR opportunities.
• Supporting the BD Manager on all event preparation, ensuring that value is derived and recorded. This includes monitoring return on investment, identifying benefits and purpose with relevant fee earners, liaising with the events team on the logistics, producing invitee lists, drafting invite content, assisting with event materials and added value products.
• Working with the BD Manager to manage the directories and award submissions process across FS/FFR and IDR
• Managing our various newsletters - both internal and external (with the support of the Executive Team) - FS: client facing newsletters, IDR: Birds' Eye View (internal)
• Develop marketing materials across all media in support of the firm's overall strategy, i.e. producing webinars, videos, apps etc.

Infrastructure, process and principles: delivering first time every time with consistent and rigorous standards

• Supporting the BD Manager in effectively managing the MBD budget, including provision of advice regarding the value and opportunity cost of initiatives.
• Tracking and reporting on new business leads generated through marketing and business development activities.
• Tracking experience ("credentials") from across all groups - sending out regular fee earner requests, maintaining a spreadsheet and reporting to Loopio (our credentials database)
• Developing and maintaining key MBD-related infrastructure, including the intranet, web pages, CRM (contact management system), and pitch related content (reporting back to the pitch team on diversity statistics relevant to the Mansfield Rule).
• Producing excellent and up-to-date marketing materials and helping develop content for specific projects and events. You'll be responsible for ensuring all marketing materials adhere to the firm's new brand template and guidelines - updating documents with new experience from around the network and fee earner contact details where appropriate.
• Working with fee earners and the BD Manager to respond to written opportunities - by putting together initial pitch document and PPT presentation drafts - incorporating relevant information and experience from around the network whilst adhering to the firm's brand guidelines.
• Scheduling (being mindful of our international lawyers' prior calendar appointments and time-zones), preparing for and attending all appropriate group/team meetings, by sending requests for agenda items and circulating the agenda to all attendees in good time ahead of the meeting. You'll also be responsible for following up regarding meeting minutes and agreed actions.
• Monitoring and responding to general BD queries.
• Ensuring knowledge, intelligence and team news is shared within the groups.

Revenue generation: translating insights and ideas into business growth

• Supporting the BD Manager to identify hot topics and trends which support the business development strategy.
• Supporting the facilitation of cross-selling opportunities with other appropriate sector/practice/country teams.
• Supporting on bids and tenders, working collaboratively with fee earners and the wider MBD team to create winning propositions, using our bids platform Loopio.
• Developing and managing associated campaigns and targeting initiatives, alongside the BD Manager
• Ensuring that emphasis is placed on clients in the firmwide Strategic Client Programme, actively looking for opportunities to market to these clients and promote the firm's client service tools.
• Supporting in client development projects/ideas for top clients within the Financial Services sector.

About you

We're looking for someone who is interested in the world and emerging trends, is curious and loves solving problems. Someone who is driven to achieve and improve, who sees opportunity in change and know sometimes it's more art than science. You should be able to build long lasting and effective relationships easily and when it counts, just roll up your sleeves and get on board.

Your technical skills:

• Not a must, but previous experience of working in a professional services environment and experience of dealing directly with partners and key stakeholders would be helpful
• Strong commercial awareness, including experience of/an interest in the key legal and commercial issues affecting the practice/sector groups.
• Exposure to the full spectrum of MBD activities, specifically business development experience and events experience.
• Strong writing skills, editing ability and proficiency in MS applications including Teams, Word, PowerPoint and ExcelExperience in using marketing systems including CRM systems, with preference towards Intapp, and EDM programs, with preference towards Vuture.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of social media's benefits and application.

Other Desired Attributes:

• A pro-active mind-set, willingness to learn and desire to deliver high quality work.
• Attention to detail (especially when providing content to lawyers or managing our large events)
• A positive, enthusiastic and flexible attitude.
• Driven to achieve and improve with a desire to develop skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
• Takes responsibility and shows integrity.
• Ability to multitask, to prioritise projects and respond quickly to urgent requests with tight deadlines.

The main responsibilities of this role are outlined above; however, this description is not exhaustive, and the job holder may be required to undertake additional duties from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department. The role may require some working outside our normal working hours of 9:30am- 5:30pm.

For further information about this role, please click on the link below to view the Job Description or contact talentacquisitionlondon@twobirds.com. To apply, click on the apply now button to submit your details.

Bird & Bird opens up a world of possible for lawyers and professionals everywhere. Working for a leading international law firm like Bird & Bird means working alongside people who are truly collegiate in the way they work with everyone. We work as one global team, with over 70% of work involving people from across the firm. And that's only increasing! It's this common purpose and shared approach that makes for a more productive and collaborative place to work. Your firm. Your future.

If you want to find out more, visit www.twobirds.com

As a disability and neurodiversity inclusive employer we want to ensure that you have a barrier-free recruitment experience at Bird & Bird. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please provide details to your recruitment contact who will be in touch to discuss any details provided and understand more about your individual adjustment needs.