Client & Market Development Senior Manager – Corporate

The role

This role will be responsible for driving and implementing all strategic, revenue-generating business development activities across five groups  (identified below), with a particular focus on building stronger and broader relationships with our corporate clients.

You will create/oversee market-leading business development activities aligned with the firm's strategy and will have the credibility to be a trusted adviser to lawyers at all levels.

You will steer marketing investment decisions, lead on some of the most significant must-win proposals, foster cross-product teaming and cross-pollination of best practice and insights to grow client relationships, and work with our Brand, Communications and Marketing team to strengthen market profile.

You will work with, lead and coach a Client & Market Development ("C&MD") team that supports the following groups within the Corporate Practice:

• Corporate Transactions & Advisory

• Financial Institutions M&A

• Antitrust

• Tech//Digital

• Intellectual Property.

Whilst managing the C&MD team for the above groups, you will have a particular emphasis on deepening and growing our stable of corporate clients, both PLCs and multinational corporates that are headquartered outside the UK.

You will also be part of the London CMD Senior Management Group responsible for leading on projects which directly impact the function, including training and development programmes, operational efficiencies and cross practice initiatives.

In addition, working closely with the Global Head of Client & Market Development – Corporate, you will help to drive business development collaboration across our London office and global corporate practice.

You will work closely with the London Corporate Practice Area Leader, the Corporate Practice Area Manager, the Global Head of Client & Market Development – Corporate, the Senior Manager for Global Private Equity and the wider C&MD and Brand Communications & Marketing teams.

You will report to the Global Head of Client & Market Development – Corporate.

What you will be responsible for

Strategy

• Oversee the execution of the client and marketing strategy for each of the above groups, with a particular focus on the development of corporate client relationships.

• Ensure each group is managing its marketing spend effectively and in line with budget.

• Ensure that the firm's global product and sector expertise is sufficiently visible and leveraged by partners in their relationship-building efforts.

• Assess financial performance of each group through a client lens.

• Work with the Practice Area Leaders and Practice Area Manager to implement the client, product and sector strategy, ensure the right partners are deployed on the right opportunities, ensure partners are getting the BD support they need in key growth areas, and identify and address client development and marketing issues. 

• Lateral onboarding: guide lateral hires through the protocols of bringing in clients and integrating themselves into firm priorities.

Client and Market Development

• Ensure the above groups are investing the right amount of time and effort on their priority clients and prospects - not spreading themselves too thinly and not serving to expand the "client tail".

• Drive and support more disciplined client outreach and client relationship activity across the groups.

• Foster and encourage more cross-product collaboration and hunting in packs.

• Ensure client relationship building and reputation enhancing opportunities are maximised through flagship marketing and events programmes.

• Ensure lawyer teams are well prepared and rehearsed for pivotal business development and relationship meetings with clients and prospects through the support they receive from their C&MD leads.

• Leverage the Client Insight & Business Intelligence Team and sector teams to provide insight on clients and sectors to inform strategic marketing decisions and support client development.

• Lead on/work on must-win matter-specific proposals, with a particular focus on Corporate clients.

• Foster a stronger client feedback/client listening culture across the groups.

• Increase the visibility of upcoming and planned client meetings that, ultimately, drives more cross-selling and "hunting in packs".

Marketing Materials, Marketing Infrastructure and Processes

• Ensure core marketing and pitch materials for each group are kept updated and accessible on the Firm's pitch database ("Foundation").

• Ensure matter capture and deal submission processes are implemented to support the firm's league table positions in particular M&A league tables.

• Ensure best practice is being implemented across the legal directory process with the aim of protecting existing Band 1 positions and improving other rankings below Band 1.

Team Management

• Lead, coach and mentor a high performing team of six individuals, ensuring that they are effectively contributing to the team's goals and the firm's strategic objectives.

• Continuously raise the bar of the C&MD team in the way that they support the above groups and help their teams to build stronger client relationships and profiles in the market.

• Facilitate collaboration between the team and legal professionals to ensure a cohesive approach to market positioning and client engagement.

• Monitor team performance against personal objectives and through continuous feedback.

• Identify, nurture and seek to retain the best talent within the Firm.

Your experience

• Extensive experience in business development, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment.

• Proven track record of developing and executing successful business development and marketing strategies and initiatives.

• Excellent relationship-building skills.

• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with experience leading cross-functional teams.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.

• Strong technical proficiency and familiarity with tools like CRM and Mergermarket.

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, law, or related field. An MBA or similar advanced degree is preferred.

How we will support you

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Hybrid Working

This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time.

Equal opportunities statement

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society. 

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.

#IND1