Business Development Manager

Practice Group / Department:

Job Description

We're Norton Rose Fulbright - a global law firm with over 50 offices and 7,000 employees worldwide. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. At Norton Rose Fulbright, our strategy and our culture are closely entwined. We know that our expansion will mean little unless it is underpinned by truly global collaboration and we understand that pioneering work only takes place when our people have room to move and think beyond boundaries. As well as the relevant skills and experience, we're looking for people who are innovative, commercial and value the work that they do. 

Our Newcastle office is currently recruiting for a Business Development Manager to focus on development of our infrastructure and natural resources sector (part of our wider Energy, Infrastructure and Natural Resources sector) and our Africa practice. We are market leaders in a significant number of areas within this sector and practice and this role will have high visibility with partners across EMEA.

The Role

This role reports to the Head of BD – UK and the sector/practice leadership team, as well as working in close partnership with the Energy BD manager. They will work in close cooperation with our global MBD team and have the support of a BD Executive and our marketing support team in Newcastle. They will implement strategically aligned, client focused and value-added MBD initiatives, ensuring key global, regional and practice objectives are achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsibility for all aspects of planning and development of business development activity and the targeting of marketing activity (all channels)
• Working with the sector and practice leadership team and Head of BD to develop and implement annual business plans, budget proposals and campaign plans for the EMEA region
• Overseeing BD activity to ensure regional objectives are met. This includes, but is not limited to, business development, client development, profile raising, marketing and communications, pitching and event management.
• Acting as both the lead point of contact and ambassador for the sector and practice with the wider business, MBD and other key stakeholders
• Establishing a close and effective relationship with the lawyers and partners
• Producing bespoke bids, panel pitches and other client development presentations (formal and informal)
• Managing client development plans and activities
• Working closely with other MBD teams, for example, the Energy, Technology, Corporate and Banking BD team members, client relationship team, strategic bids, events, design and digital, and our expanding Newcastle Hub
• Overseeing relevant directory submissions
• Managing practice and sector MBD budgets, including reporting of ROI
• Contributing and leading on best practice and being curious about the possible

Skills and Experience Required

• A strong background in business development and marketing is desirable, as is experience of working in a legal/professional services/partnership environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including rigorous attention to detail and ability to adapt communication style as needed
• Confident, persuasive and assertive with the ability to use initiative
• Highly organised with a professional, confident, collaborative and proactive approach to their role
• Strong time management and prioritisation skills as there will be a need to support lawyers at different levels of seniority
• Graduate calibre with demonstrable and/or professionally recognised marketing or communications qualification (such as CIM, etc.)
• Excellent project management skills - this candidate must be able to demonstrate experience of managing multiple projects and transforming a commercial issue into business development opportunity
• Leadership ability - this candidate must be able to build a strong reputation within the business and deliver excellent service
• Demonstrable experience in managing and writing bids
• Confident dealing with difficult and challenging situations, adapting approach when needed
• Must be flexible to work outside of contractual hours when needed
• A continuous improvement approach
• Managerial skills and willingness to take on additional responsibility when required
• Understands the need and has the ability to manage expectations

Our clients come first and whilst we have a high performance culture and work hard as a team, in return we offer range of competitive benefits including:

• 25 days hols + Bank hols - Buy up to 5 days
• GP Service
• Bupa Healthcare
• Pension
• Flexible working

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

To attract the best people, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, have a sense of belonging, and realize their full career potential. Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our people’s health and overall wellbeing. Find more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any tailored adjustments or accommodations, please let us know here.