Business Development Manager - Transportation

We're Norton Rose Fulbright – a global law firm with over 50 offices and7,000 employees worldwide.

Our London office is currently recruiting for a Business Development Manager. As well as the relevant skills and experience, we're looking for people who are innovative, commercial and value the work that they do. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view and believe diversity drives innovation,so we're building a culture where difference is valued.

The Business Development Manager (BDM) is a new role within the Marketing & Business Development (MBD) function and the Europe, Middle East & Asia (EMEA) region at Norton Rose Fulbright.

The core responsibilities of the BDM are to support the continued development of our transport and asset finance practice for EMEA, with particular focus on rail, shipping and aviation. We are market leaders in aviation and shipping finance in particular, and some of the firm's most significant clients, including well known airlines, are important clients of this practice.

The Role

This is a new position reporting to the Head of BD – Banking and the Transport and Asset finance leadership team. They will work in close cooperation with our global MBD team and have the support of a BD Executive and our expanding Newcastle support team. They will implement strategically aligned, client focused and value–added MBD initiatives, ensuring key global, regional and practice objectives are achieved in a very dynamic environment. They will work closely with preeminent partners in our top tier shipping and aviation practices, as well as get involved in client facing activities for high profile clients of the practice across the EMEA region.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsibility for all aspects of planning and development of business development campaigns and the targeting of marketing activity (all channels)
• Working with the practice leadership team and Head of Banking BD to develop and implement annual business plans, budget proposals and campaign plans for the EMEA region
• Identification of relevant industry trends and opportunities
• Overseeing BD activity to ensure regional objectives are met. This includes, but is not limited to, client development, profile raising, marketing and communications, pitching and event management.
• Acting as both the lead point of contact and ambassador for the practice with the wider business, MBD and other key stakeholders
• Establishing a close and effective relationship with the lawyers and partners within the practice
• 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, client relationship team, strategic bids, events, design and digital, and the Newcastle support team
• Overseeing practice directory submissions
• Managing practice MBD budgets, including reporting of ROI
• Contributing and leading on best practice and being curious about the possible

Skills and Experience:

• A strong background in marketing and business development 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
• Highly organised with a professional, confident, collaborative and proactive approach to their role
• Strong time management and prioritisation skills as will be required 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 a 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 (formal and informal)
• 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

In addition, we are proud of our established health and wellbeing programme which supports our employees through mental, physical and lifestyle challenges.

Norton Rose Fulbright is committed to promoting a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace where everyone can realise their full potential and career ambitions on the basis of merit and skill. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and employee networks.