Business Development Executive - Infrastructure, Energy and Natural Resources

We are recruiting for a Business Development Executive who will sit within our Global Client Development team (GCD). The GCD team is part of Business Development, which sits within the wider Commercial team.

The GCD team works with partners, counsel, consultants and knowledge lawyers to win new work and deliver campaigns and initiatives that support the objectives of the firm and its practices. GCD takes an integrated, global approach to client development, bringing together practice and sector expertise to maintain and grow client relationships.

The Business Development Executive will work alongside a Business Development Manager in support of our award-winning Infrastructure, Energy and Natural Resources (IEN) practice. The role holder will also work closely with knowledge lawyers, counsel and partners on a range of strategic initiatives and campaigns that support the growth objectives of these practices.

IEN is a priority growth area for the firm, and the IEN group is recognised as an industry leader and innovator, breaking new ground on energy transition transactions and earning an international reputation for exceptional legal service. The team frequently works on complex, innovative or “first-of-a-kind” projects.

This is an exciting opportunity to support and help drive forward business development and relationship management initiatives within a highly respected practice. The role would suit a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a strong personality, excellent attention to detail and an interest in both the global energy and infrastructure sector.

This role sits within a dynamic, high-achieving team and supports equally fast-growing and innovative practices. It offers the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of BD activities and provides an excellent platform to develop and enhance BD expertise and sector knowledge.

The key responsibilities of this role will include the following, and the role holder may be required to work outside of our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm, on occasion.

• Work closely with the IEN BD Manager to support, design and implement various BD initiatives for these practices.
• Work with BD and practice stakeholders on the project management and drafting of client proposals, and the provision of pitch support from initial discussion through to submission.
• Work with BD colleagues across the team to identify and pursue client development opportunities, including developing client target lists and researching clients/markets for new opportunities.
• Support on the delivery of our IEN strategy, working closely with our Knowledge team, including our Head of IEN Knowledge, a Senior Knowledge Lawyer and our IEN partners and associates.
• Assist in tracking and analysing global market trends and monitoring daily press and website news to keep fee-earners informed.
• Assist with organising key flagship initiatives such as targeted events, round tables, webinars, etc.
• Prepare briefing packs and drafting notes on hot topics to support ad hoc client and other meetings.
• Maintain and update a number of the department’s key BD and marketing documents.
• Assist with the firm’s Client Relationship Management (CRM) Programme and client targeting initiatives to identify opportunities for the firm.
• Manage the department’s CRM lists using Microsoft Dynamics.
• Monitor market, industry and competitor information and feed through to key stakeholders as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the wider Commercial department, including Pitch, BD Insight, Communications and Marketing to ensure knowledge-sharing and best practice.

Candidates for this position:

• Degree-educated or equivalent industry experience.
• Have the ability to develop effective relationships and have the confidence to communicate well with a range of stakeholders.
• Be able to demonstrate sound judgement in respect of managing information and understanding the commercially sensitive nature of our work in this area.
• Have the ability to manage multiple deliverables within a tight timeframe and deliver high quality work.
• Have previous BD and Marketing experience, most recently at an assistant or executive level, ideally in a law firm environment.
• Able to manage and analyse large amounts of data and identify BD opportunities within it.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial and self-motivated.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, spoken and in presentations).
• Excellent attention to detail and good use of grammar.
• Proactive approach to defining needs and delivering solutions.
• Ability to build strong business relationships with internal and external clients and the resilience to deal with demanding individuals.
• High level of professionalism and integrity; displays the highest standard of professional ethics.

We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.