Pitch and Client Development Manager

Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow is looking for a Pitch and Client Development Manager to join our Business Development, Marketing and Communications (BDMC) function.

About the role

The Pitch and Client Development Manager role is a client-facing one where the individual will work closely with partners to provide senior-level pitch support, drive client development, and grow institutional client relationships in line with the Firm’s ambition to deliver exceptional client service.

The individual will work closely with the BDMC colleagues in Singapore and be part of a regional team, collaborating with BDMC colleagues in other offices. This role encourages direct engagement with clients to discuss their strategy, business and legal needs and will be instrumental in developing a strategic, market-leading BDMC business-partnering capability that enables the Firm to win, retain and grow business.

• Engage directly with partners to ensure Singapore and cross-border pitches and proposals are delivered at a high level of quality and with strategic inputs.
• Work with Partners to assess proposal opportunities, and where appropriate, undertake proposal scoping conversations and debriefs with clients.
• Monitor and spot forward-looking issues and trends and translate their legal impact to clients and lawyers in a commercial way to influence strategy, client targeting and planning. Analyse key competitors and identify points of differentiation.
• Support the firm’s client program by helping with client targeting and mapping, identify opportunities, undertake gap analysis, and conduct client listening sessions with clients.
• Conduct pre- and post- secondment briefings and ensure that client secondments are fully exploited
• Provide coaching and training for partners and lawyers on client pursuits, client development, and engagement activities.
• Manage and coordinate initiatives with BDMC teams, setting high standards and values, and embedding shared values of collaboration, market-leading intelligence and client service across the team
• Collaborate with BDMC professionals worldwide including Global Client Pursuits team, Client Managers, industry and practice groups and market-based colleagues to leverage client intelligence, practice and industry know-how and credentials for pitching and client development Engage with other Professional Services teams e.g. pricing strategy, legal project management, and knowledge management.

About the team

The BDMC function works closely with our Partners and leadership teams to:

• Increase our revenue, profitability, and share across markets, industries, and clients
• Enable us to win, retain, and grow business through powerful pitches, engaging thought leadership, and strong relationship management
• Lead market & client intelligence efforts to create new service line opportunities in industry and practice group
• Channel the Baker McKenzie brand, identity, and culture through a single communications voice

You will report to the Head of BDMC, Singapore.

About the candidate

• Bachelor’s degree required; Masters' or other qualifications focusing on Marketing, Communications, Sales, or related commercial subjects is preferred
• Significant experience working in a professional services or financial services environment
• Experience managing others/teams in a marketing and/or business development role, preferably in a professional services environment
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills and outstanding attention to detail
• Commercial acumen, deep understanding of client/business planning gained through experience in senior-level business roles
• Strong analytical skills and understanding of law firm financial levers
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to successfully manage key internal and external relationships and projects across the global organization
• Savvy in understanding and adapting to the expectations and the needs of different cultures across the Firm
• Able to readjust and reorganize plans and deal with and manage change