Business Development Manager

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to join our Business Development Team in either our Reading or Oxford office.  They will be working closely with the Partners on the development and growth of allocated sectors and markets providing strategic and operational support to the Business Group heads and client partners.

They will engage with all key stakeholders internal and external within defined areas, facilitate innovation and idea generation that will positively impact the reputation, revenue and profitability of allocated division and markets.

Office attendance is required two days a week and subject to business needs.

Typical Workload

Delivery of activity streams

Demonstrate expertise and understanding of allocated sectors/market/campaigns

  • Market and competitor intelligence – keep up to date with key developments in selected areas and disseminate information to interested parties
  • Maintain a current awareness of the issues affecting businesses and have the ability to think through how these will translate into opportunities for existing services or new offerings the firm could provide

Drive activity to target the allocated sectors/markets/campaigns

  • Develop ideas for initiatives that will improve the reputation of Blake Morgan, including ones that will appeal to board level clients and prospects
  • Through the engagement and dedication to allocated campaigns and markets, develop innovative ideas for campaigns and thought leadership to be implemented through the support of marketing colleagues
  • Work with the Partners and lawyers to provide innovative high quality content for marketing communications and key messages for distribution through our multi-channel marketing outlets.

Identify, engage and progress leads within the allocated sectors/markets/campaigns

  • Obtain research into the clients and/or key targets for the sector to identify the opportunities that exist, the current service providers, and the personnel who are key to winning the business
  • Pro-active identification and development of targets
  • Identify key third party organisations and membership groups to support the firm’s growth and work with them to deliver high levels of engagement and maximise marketing and business development opportunities
  • Develop mutually beneficial relationships with industry stakeholders including other professional services firms, banks and industry bodies
  • Work with other Business Development Managers to develop and implement regional and cross-sector initiatives

Maintaining existing client relationships

  • Monitor growth/decline clients working with the client partner to ensure that actions are followed up
  • Provide operational support to manage, grow and retain clients

Building our regional profile

Drive regional activity aimed at our target sectors/markets/campaigns

  • Build strong and respected relationships with allocated regional partners and lawyers
  • Undertake annual Business Group and regional planning providing objectives, activities and marketing initiatives to support the Partners, aligned with our target sectors/markets, liaising with the BDM who is leading the activity stream for each target sector/market as appropriate.
  • Drive active client relationship management, working closely with the Partners to develop relationships with clients and prospects that will impact revenue generation within our target sectors/markets.
  • Lead the regional sales group meeting, coach and drive through the leads and opportunities, aligned with our target sectors/markets.
  • Lead on developing key clients in allocated BG/region
  • Attend the quarterly national sales meeting and report activity and success stories

Winning new business

  • Take a pro-active lead alongside the Partners on all non-procurement led pitches/pricing requests ensuring that we maximise the opportunity through understanding client/target, their drivers, best approach and deliver pitches to the highest standard
  • Attend external business development meetings and where appropriate pitches alongside lawyers
  • Lead on pitch strategy and provision of market leading documentation.
  • Provide support on strategic bids including client specific tailored information and contribute to the written bid and presentation ensuring the highest quality and most innovative bid is produced.
  • Ability to coach and assist Partners and other fee earners in their market facing roles to take advantage of informal pitch opportunities and presentations

Skills / Experience Required

  • A highly skilled manager with 5-10 years’ experience in law firm/professional services management working within business development with line management experience
  • Sales experience and track record of growing new business
  • Strong project management experience
  • Extensive existing client development experience
  • Extensive financial management knowledge
  • Be a self-starter with the confidence to work alongside partners and to participate in sales pitches to clients
  • Strong influencing, communication, creativity and commercial skills
  • CIM Qualified or similar

How to Apply

  • Please email [email protected] to apply with a copy of your CV and cover note to explain your interests in the role.  Please also confirm your salary expectations.
  • Interviews: The interview process will start as soon as suitable candidates have been identified. We will notify you in advance if you are required to carry out a drafting exercise/skills test as part of the interview process.
  • If you have any questions, please email Rob Brown at [email protected] or telephone on 023 8085 7441.
  • Your personal data will be processed in line with our applicant privacy policy which explains how we treat your data.

Please note that we are currently only accepting CVs from direct applicants.