Senior Business Development Executive

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

About the role

The Senior BD Executive will execute business development and marketing initiatives for several of the firm's practices and be the first point of contact for the relevant practice groups in Singapore. There will be opportunities to be part of a regional team and work collaboratively with BDMC colleagues in other offices - particularly those in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and Japan.

This individual will have the unique opportunity to be part of the transition process in the globally implemented new initiatives and work closely with the central BDMC functions (e.g. Global Client Pursuits, Directories, Awards and Submissions, and Global Service Centres) to serve the needs of the firm. Together with team members, the individual will be part of a collaborative effort to effect change, create new ways of working and shape behaviours across the office.

Business Development and Marketing

• Prepare and coordinate high-quality pitches and capability statements - working with the lead partner and coordinating input from other contributors, including the Global Client Pursuits.
• Coordinate and put together directory submissions for the purposes of legal rankings, legal award submissions, and work with the central Directories team.
• Assist in coordination of events such as internal trainings, internal meetings, client conferences, client visits and sponsored events for the practice groups as required. Track ROI from investment.
• Undertake research and provide business, industry, client and competitor intelligence and analysis on a regular basis.
• Prepare marketing collateral as requested such as legal updates, client alerts, newsletters, other promotional materials as required.
• Support the development and implementation of specific business development and client plans.
• Support individual partners on marketing and business development strategies as requested, to assist with client relationship management, practice plans, client acquisition and profile raising.
• Work with the lawyers and the central Deals Repository team to ensure deals information are collected and submitted to the deals database
• Any other ad hoc requirements for the BDMC function.

BD promotion

• Build a personal profile, visibility, credibility and influence with partners and identify opportunities to promote the BD function, its expertise and capabilities.
• Build cooperative working relationships with BDMC colleagues across the region and contribute to team initiatives and maximize the BD function’s effectiveness.
• Foster and maintain good working relationships with all key internal stakeholders.

BD infrastructure

• Database management – creating, maintaining and working with practice group teams to update membership lists, client contacts, mailing lists, deals database and so forth.
• Report to relevant partners and team members on progress of relevant BD initiatives.
• Organise and coordinate appropriate meetings and conference calls as required, with full responsibility for arranging supporting materials and following up on BD actions.
• Deal with financial issues for the practice group relating to BDMC, i.e. payment of accounts as required.

About the team

The BDMC function works closely with our Clients, 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 client relationship management
• Lead market & client intelligence efforts to identify growth opportunities and drive business development through these, creating new service line opportunities in industry and practice groups
• Channel the Baker McKenzie brand, identity and culture through a single communications voice

About the candidate

• Degree in business administration, marketing, or similar qualification an advantage
• At least four years of experience in a legal or professional services environment is preferred
• Fluent English essential, both written and oral English fluency
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Team spirit is essential, able to work collaboratively across teams
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to successfully manage stakeholders 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