Baker McKenzie

This role can be based in either London or Belfast.

Business Development Executive, Advisory and Contentious Groups with focus on Dispute Resolution and Employment Practice Groups – London will assist in delivering the business development and marketing operations and plans for the Advisory/ Contentious Practice Groups (PGs) in London (Employment & Compensation, Dispute Resolution (including Antitrust and Competition).

The role-holder will work side-by-side with the Advisory and Contentious Business Development Managers in London to execute growth plans and promote key services, client opportunities, and cross-selling initiatives. Though the focus of the role is supporting the team in London, many projects are international in nature and involve collaborating with other offices and PGs to enhance cross-selling opportunities.  

This role is multi-faceted and the role holder will have both exposure to varied practice groups and the opportunity to gain great experience across the entire business development and marketing mix.

Main responsibilities:

• Support the execution of BDMC plans for the Employment and DR PGs by delivering high-quality BDMC support and bringing in BDMC Specialists and End-to-End functions as required (these functions include central marketing, directories, awards, proposals, events, key client management, data analytics, and design teams)
• Support the implementation of Employment and DR priorities such as client targeting, thought leadership, effective response to requests for proposals, and assisting with a range of projects across the practice group, under the guidance and supervision of the Advisory/Contentious Business Development Managers. The role may also include support on special project / cross-practice initiatives as required and as directed by the Advisory/Contentious Business Development Managers
• Maintain and develop the Firm's profile within the Groups being supported, including a selection of sponsorship, trade body membership, and in-house campaign initiatives
• Lead on and support the Business Development Managers with the planning, coordination, and execution of client-facing and peer events, ensuring alignment with the firm’s strategic goals
• Together with the Advisory and Contentious Business Development Managers, supporting the Partners and lawyers to identify and implement external profile-raising opportunities, including our thought-leadership program/campaigns, article writing, and speaking opportunities; always looking for opportunities internally and externally to promote work on products/propositions
• Champion the use of social media from helping the lawyers focus on content generation, to upskilling the group to post and share our content regularly
• Work with colleagues across BDMC, Client Development, and Industry Sectors to ensure lawyers are armed with information on the latest trends and related hot topics/talking points and use them to generate opportunities. There is a lot of information out there and we can play a big role in joining the dots
• Ensure that content and materials (e.g. capability statements) suitable for BDMC purposes are captured, kept up-to-date, and shared; develop new materials for prioritized and additional service lines and opportunities that are required

Skills and experience:

• Experience in a marketing and/or business development role, preferably in a professional services environment, desirable but not critical
• Experience working with stakeholders and developing relationships
• Strong judgement and a demonstrable track record for confidently suggesting well-reasoned independent strategic recommendations and ideas
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Able to effectively co-ordinate and communicate competing priorities with workload, some of which will have time sensitive deadlines
• Good and developed practical understanding of marketing and communications
• Self-motivated and independent, and able to work with a minimum of supervision at times
• Comfortable using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint at an intermediate level
• Comfortable working across multiple cultures and time zones in a matrix organization
• Strong interpersonal skills, including pleasant nature and ability to collaborate with others
• High degree of attention to detail
• Interest in using technology, including AI, to enhance work efficiencies

Reports to: Manager within Employment or Dispute Resolution Practice Groups

Position type: In Market
Development framework:  Business Support

At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world-class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.

To Apply

At Baker McKenzie we welcome direct applications.

Please click on the Apply icon to start the online application process for this role.  We will then be in touch with you once we have reviewed your application.  If you are unable to apply online, please contact Vanessa Renforth in the Recruitment Team on either +44 20 7072 5731 or Vanessa.Renforth@bakermckenzie.com 

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.