Business Development Manager- Legal Services

Job Title: Business Development Manager

Location: Lekki Phase 1, Lagos

Industry: Legal Services

Reporting to: Principal & Practice Partners

Our client, a leading commercial and litigation law firm, is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to drive strategic growth, enhance brand visibility, and expand client relationships. This role is central to positioning the firm in key markets, developing partnerships, and supporting revenue generation.

The BD Manager is directly responsible for improving and growing the business, by fostering and developing relationships with clients through careful strategic planning and positioning in the appropriate markets, developing new partnerships, maximising existing relationships, enhancing the operation of the business position and reputation, and ultimately creating avenues for generating revenue from multiple sources.

The successful candidate will be responsible for building and coaching a team of business development personnel on the management of all aspects of business development and marketing initiatives within the Firm including but not limited to defining and launching operational processes and achieving revenue-based targets for the Firm.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Develop and maintain a good understanding of the Firm’s practice areas or services and be able to advise others about them;
• Develop and execute strategic business development plans to drive growth and expand the Firm’s client base;
• Lead the review and continuous improvement of the practice unit’s suite of marketing materials, including capabilities statements, pitch templates, and website content;
• Formulate relevant business development budgets and management of the budget to ensure appropriate expenditure and that the Firm receives suitable return on that investment;
• Team with Fee Earners to market the services and expertise of the practice units through the development and deployment of thought leadership content and other profile-raising activities;
• Team with other members of the BD team to draft press releases, pitch story ideas and provide spokespeople to reporters as appropriate, track published articles and consider social media strategy around key projects;
• Maintain the operational standards of the BD team to ensure our branding approach is implemented effectively; communication materials effectively represent the position of each practice area; the effective use of applications when introduced; our approach to pitches is informed by sector knowledge; the management of events is efficient and cost-effective; PR strategies support business development plans and enhance campaigns;
• Provide support to manage the Firm’s website, social networking for the Firm and its lawyers, and other electronic communications, including drafting and updating content and images, evaluate effectiveness, draft and implement policies, and work with external technical and design consultants as needed;
• Work with Knowledge Management to develop client and market facing knowledge based marketing tools and materials – handbooks, tools, market know how, technical updates, training programs and seminars, etc;
• Work with the Practice Partner to conduct and promote post transaction reviews in order to obtain client feedback and assist in improving client service;
• Support the preparation of responses to client’s request for proposals or information on the practice areas and in preparing Fee Earners for business development meetings with clients and prospects; Monitor, analyse and communicate market, industry and competitive trends for the practice units and sub-units;
• Launch and design marketing plans for emerging practice areas including research and content writing;
• Train members of the BD team, arranging internal and external training where appropriate; Identify training needs for Fee Earners on skills such as pitching and sales;
• Liaise with the Head, Corporate Communications to manage practice area awards and league table rankings, including coordinating the scheduling and submission to numerous league tables and other high-profile publications, assist in articulating key messages for directory submissions and share best practices in submission process;
• Evaluate and manage all Firm memberships, and do what is necessary to take advantage of membership opportunities to enhance the Firm’s profile;
• Develop, manage and generate report on a focussed client care programme for the major corporate clients. Work with Partners and Head of Chambers to develop a coordinated client targeting/client care/client listening programme;
• Represent the Firm at networking events, conferences, and industry meetings to enhance the Firm’s visibility and reputation;
• Make a constructive contribution to the non-chargeable activities of the Firm; and Undertake special task and perform other related duties as assigned in accordance with the Firm’s objectives.

Key Requirements

• Qualifications and experience Degree in Law.
• Degree or certification in Business Administration or Marketing, or related field will be an added advantage
• A minimum of five (5) years business development or marketing experience in a professional services environment, preferably a law firm Proven track record of achieving business development targets.
• Previous experience in a managerial role Experience with CRM systems

Key Requirements - attributes required:

• Tenacity and enthusiasm to drive new business initiatives and meet or exceed targets
• Ability to think strategically – seeing the bigger picture and setting aims and objectives in order to develop and improve the business of the Firm
• Ability to use commercial logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions and be generally commercially aware
• First-rate communication skills - both written and verbal and ability to communicate effectively with all levels in the Firm
• Be committed to a process of continual improvement Proficient in the use of IT particularly Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and willing to learn new packages.
• Good networking skills Evidence of interest in, and commitment to, the success of the Firm Understanding of and commitment to ML’s values and ethos which can be seen at www.mlpng.com Excellent interpersonal skills, articulate and confident, with ability to summarise and present arguments quickly and concisely.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to juggle conflicting priorities Must be keen to innovate and be successful at formulating and implementing strategies and plans.
• A self-starter, able to demonstrate high levels of initiative and motivation, but also work closely with other team members and displaying trust and loyalty Excellent attention to detail and accuracy, whilst maintaining high levels of productivity The flexibility to work outside normal office hours as may be required from time to time.

Job Type: Full-time

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have working in a professional services environment.
• Do you have degree/background in law?
• Do you have a prior experience working in a law/legal services firm?
• Current Salary (Monthly net)?
• Expected Salary (Monthly net)?
• How many years of business development or marketing experience do you have?

Experience:

• Marketing: 5 years (Required)
• Business Development: 5 years (Required)