Job Description
Job Overview
Clifford Chance has a global strategy which puts clients at the heart of everything the Firm does. We have a clear mandate around developing our existing strengths and relationships whilst increasing our share in new markets. Our Client & Market Development function ("C&MD") works strategically with our Global Business Units and local offices across all Regions – driven by our vision "to be the global law firm of choice for the world’s leading businesses of today and tomorrow".
Clifford Chance's Global Financial Markets practices ("GFM") are recognised as market leaders and work with many of the world's pre-eminent financial institutions, investors and corporates across a range of sectors and practice specialisms, including Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Derivatives & Structured Products, Financial Regulation and Restructuring & Insolvency.
The GFM Proposals Manager will be responsible for developing and leading the proposals/pitch strategy to maximise the success of our proposals, managing complex proposals and helping the firm to win bids on strategic opportunities. This role has a specific focus on supporting the GFM Global Business Unit, primarily in relation to UK and Continental European proposals.
Who you will work with
You will work with the GFM Client & Market Development teams across the UK and Continental Europe as well as directly with the relevant GFM partners and lawyers. You will also work closely with colleagues in the Central Pitch Team, collaborating on cross-practice pitches and sharing best practice.
You will work together with Client & Market Development colleagues across the world on delivering the best possible client experience. You will interact frequently with lawyers at all levels in connection with opportunity pursuits, including partners across the global network.
You will play a key role in connecting pitch / proposal teams with relevant business professionals in areas such as Commercial Pricing, Innovation and Document Production.
What you will be responsible for
- To work as part of the GFM Client & Market Development team leading the delivery of a range of GFM related proposals, primarily in relation to complex / multi-jurisdictional high value matter RFPs
- To support the development of world class proposals best practice and delivery
- To equip the Firm and Client & Market Development colleagues with the tools, techniques and infrastructure required for excellence and efficiency in proposals development
Act as the key point of liaison for GFM with the central pitch team in relation to global panel pitches.
What you will do
Core activities include:
- Managing the end-to-end proposals process and acting as the lead and central point of contact on various strategic GFM opportunities
- Providing end-to-end advice, challenge, direction, coaching and support throughout the proposal life cycle to stakeholders at all levels within the firm
- Coaching, overseeing, and supporting more junior team members who have varying degrees of experience through pitch processes
- Drafting, reviewing, and editing pitch documents to shape and produce compelling, client centric propositions for clients
- Managing the process of submitting proposals that are requested via online portals such as Persuit and Ariba, and advising on best practice in relation to online reverse auctions
- Identifying creative ways to communicate messages to our clients throughout the pitch process and also developing new and compelling written content
- Building strong relationships and collaborating closely with a wide range of Business Professionals across the firm including, Commercial Pricing, Innovation and Document Production to drive the pitch process
- Acting as an advocate for and ensuring compliance with processes associated with Foundation (the firm's new Pitch and Experience Management product) and assisting with the management of Standard Pitch Content and Pipeline Reporting
- Working with teams to drive the development of strong propositions at all stages of the RFP process
- Assisting with ensuring that best practice is developed and shared with other Client & Market Development teams
- Delivering proposal training sessions to lawyers and other Client & Market Development teams
- Conducting win/loss debriefs for global proposals and pitches
In addition:
- You will work closely with partners and Client & Market Development management to create and maintain momentum in winning new business
- You will be expected to bring innovation and new ideas to proposals
- You will be required to grow your knowledge of the practice offerings in the GFM group to provide more tailored proposal documents
- There will be opportunities to visit the international offices with which you are working, to help foster relationships with key stakeholders
- You will be responsible for the design of proposal training courses - delivered in-house via the Firm's academy and through external training agencies for both the global Client & Market Development function and lawyers
Qualifications
Your career experience so far
You will have:
- Extensive experience of working on competitive proposals and pitches, ideally within the professional services market
- Extensive experience working across functions in an international, regional, and local context
- Experience working at a senior level in a partnership
- Proven ability to build strong working relationships with senior management
- Proven ability to lead staff at all levels and delegate effectively
- Proven ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism and act discreetly when required
In addition, you will possess:
- The ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders quickly
- Excellent listening, oral, and written communication skills
- A high-level of self-awareness and the ability to flex working style to different situations
- Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
- Highly developed analytical skills and a passion for problem solving
- Strong IT literacy: proficiency with Microsoft Office and exposure to Web Portals used for managing RFP processes
How we will support you
From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and develop your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.
Company Description
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.
Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.
Additional Information
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.
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 here.
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