Business Development Manager - Employment Practice Group, Asia Pacific

About the role

The Business Development Manager, Asia Pacific Employment Practice Group will plan and execute the overall BD strategy and related BD/marketing initiatives for the AP Employment Practice Group. The role holder will work closely with the AP Employment Practice Group Leaders, Steering Committee, Business Manager, Knowledge Lead, in-market partner leads, fee earners, and AOA and in-market BDMC colleagues to drive revenue-generating activities, profile-raising initiatives and client development opportunities for the Firm in this practice area.

Main responsibilities:

• Work with the AP Employment Practice Group Leaders, Partner Community, fee earners, Business Manager, Knowledge Lead, in-market partner leads, Expert Functions and Global End-to-End Services to proactively plan and deliver a compelling regional BDMC strategy for the AP Employment Practice Group.

• Lead the design and execution of Employment BDMC plans across Asia Pacific, bringing in expert and end-to-end functions as required, including marketing, directories, proposals, key client management, data analytics, market research, events and design teams.

• Drive Employment priorities in Asia Pacific such as practice-driven strategic initiatives, client targeting, client events, client listening, thought leadership, directory and award submissions, proposals and other BDMC projects across the practice group.

• Work with partners and fee earners to ensure BDMC needs are strategically brainstormed, developed, implemented and communicated to other parts of the BDMC function; challenge requests where commercially prudent, including pitch go/no-go decisions.

• Develop clear positioning and messaging for the Employment Practice Group and its practitioners in AP, aligned with Firm branding, communications plans and global Employment & Compensation messaging.

• Monitor forward-looking Employment issues and trends, translate their legal and commercial impact for clients and lawyers, and equip lawyers with timely insights and talking points.

• Actively collaborate with regional and global PG/IG BDMC colleagues, Business Managers, Knowledge Lawyers and Client Development teams in strategic planning, identifying collaborative offerings and connecting lawyers to key initiatives and hot topics that create opportunities.

• Plan and deliver high-quality cross-border client events, campaigns and profile-raising opportunities, including thought leadership programs, article writing, speaking opportunities and client conferences, with a focus on ROI and profitable revenue generation.

• Work with AP Proposals/Pitch Excellence & Pursuits and other BD colleagues to deliver winning major cross-border Employment pitches and proposals, including proposal strategy, messaging and pitch preparation.

• Support client account management for priority Employment client(s) by working with partners, client teams and Key Client Management colleagues to develop account plans, identify cross-border opportunities, track relationship activity and monitor progress against agreed growth objectives.

• Partner closely with expert BDMC functions, including Key Client Management, Communications, Pitch Excellence & Pursuits, Pricing Excellence, Marketing Services, Directories/Awards/League Tables and Global Meetings & Events teams to align regional execution with business needs and best practice.

• Ensure content and BDMC materials are regularly reviewed, refreshed and tailored for AP Employment priorities, service lines and client opportunities.

• Ensure regular sharing of best practices, success stories and regional priorities with PG, regional and in-market BD colleagues aligned to the PG, supporting collaboration and alignment across AP offices.

• Provide line management, coaching and oversight for a Senior BD Coordinator in in delivering regional priorities of the Employment PG.

Reports to: Head of Markets & Practices - Asia Pacific

Travel Requirements: Occasional travel to AP offices, regional PG meetings / training, and AP Partner Meeting

About the candidate

• Degree in business, finance, economics, communications, marketing or a related subject; postgraduate or commercial qualifications are advantageous.

• Strong experience in legal business development or comparable professional services marketing/business development environment, ideally with Employment, advisory practice group or professional services exposure.

• Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written, and confidence communicating in a multi-cultural, multi-level environment.

• Experience working directly with senior stakeholders on strategy and execution, with strong relationship-building skills.

• Strong judgement and a demonstrable track record of confidently suggesting well-reasoned independent strategic recommendations and ideas.

• Advanced understanding of strategic marketing, communications, client targeting, thought leadership, events and pitch/proposal processes.

• Excellent project management, time management and organizing skills, with ability to prioritize and manage competing deadlines.

• High degree of attention to detail and accuracy.

• Self-motivated, proactive and independent with ability to work with minimum supervision, while being a collaborative team player.

• Strong word processing and spreadsheet skills; experience in or willingness to learn document automation and other legal tech.

• Comfortable working across multiple cultures and time zones in a matrixed regional organization.

• Ability to effectively manage competing priorities.

• Knowledge of Employment & Compensation work is desirable but not essential