Senior Business Development Executive

Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.

We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.

Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that's a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That's why they choose us.

Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.

Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.

The firm is growing and investing in its Marketing and Business Development team. We are now seeking a Senior Business Development Executive to fill a newly created role, to primarily support our Not-for-Profit and Education sectors, as well as support to our Employment practice team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an established Executive who is ready to make a step up, or a current Senior Executive seeking a new challenge. You will have the opportunity to take full ownership of various BD initiatives, working closely and collaboratively with senior stakeholders and lawyers, and coaching and mentoring them to help drive revenues and increase profit margins.

As part of the not-for-profit pillar, the main sectors cover: charity and cultural organisations, sports, faith-based organisations, professional membership organisations and livery companies. In the education pillar, the firm focuses on independent schools and higher education. 

Duties will include, but not be limited to:

Planning and budgets

• Working with the Senior BD Manager and BD Manager to support the development, implementation and monitoring of the BD plans and budgets.
• Identifying the best opportunities to win the most profitable work.

BD research and analysis

• Providing market intelligence, competitor and client/prospect research to test regularly for relevant sector trends, e.g. SWOT and PESTLE and attend strategic industry events.
• Reviewing and analysing financial performance reports to monitor progress against the plan.

Pitches, tenders and capability statements

• Managing the pitch process. This will include project managing the entire pitch process, from conducting relevant research and evaluating the No/Go decisions to leading the production and submission of competitive pitches and online portal responses. Additionally, it involves supporting presentation coaching and conducting independent debriefs.
• Championing best practice advice and guidance to fee earners on pitch management.
• Working with knowledge management lawyers and fee earners to ensure significant deals and case studies are being captured in the firm’s pitch database.
• Reporting on pitch statistics, analysing of key themes and best practice approaches.

Events and seminars

• Working with the Events Manager and/or PAs as appropriate, on the sector and team events programme to support the business plans.
• Responsible for planning, delivery, attendance and ROI analysis from these in-person and virtual events.
• Keeping track of all events and proactive management of mailing lists working with the CRM team as necessary.

Legal Directory and award submissions

• Managing the process for submissions to the Chambers UK and Legal 500 directories in consultation with the lawyers.
• Working with the Marketing Communications team to critique award submission requests and to support completion of entries.

Thought leadership, new marketing campaigns and marketing materials

• Working with the lawyers to identify and contribute ideas to the content planner for relevant briefings/thought leadership.
• Working with the Marketing Communications team to manage the briefing/thought leadership process, including: identifying target audience, recommending format for distribution channels, ensuring BD opportunities are captured, reporting back on effectiveness, identifying cross-selling opportunities.
• Selecting and writing good news stories for internal and external communication opportunities and promoting these across social media channels.

Profile raising

• Identifying speaker opportunities with key organisations/trade bodies.
• Assessing ROI for external speaking opportunities, including any negotiation on costs associated.
• Selecting and writing good news stories for internal and external communication opportunities and promoting these across social media channels.
• Working with the Marketing & BD team to monitor/review content on the firm’s website for the sectors / practice areas supported.

• At least 3 years working in a Marketing & BD Team at a professional services firm with a proven track record of delivering results.
• Interest or background in charity and not-for-profit, schools or higher education sectors or employment law.
• Excellent business writing and copywriting skills - demonstrates a high-level of attention to detail / accuracy.
• Proposals experience within a professional services environment is essential.
• Highly organised and ability to work well under pressure.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.
• Able to perform as a team player but with the confidence to work autonomously with some supervision.
• Strong research and analytical skills - shows initiative and willingness to challenge with solutions / new ideas.
• Strong IT skills with experience of CRM systems, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Understanding of strategic marketing and communications.

• Curious by nature and willingness to develop and continue to learn.
• Strong interpersonal skills including confidence, positivity, diplomacy and the ability to gain credibility and trusted advisor status quickly.
• Professional, pro-active, resilient and maintains a positive approach when faced with tight timescales.

• Educated to degree level, or equivalent.
• CIM or equivalent qualification (desirable).

Our standard office hours are 9.30am to 5.30pm, but a degree of flexibility is required to support the needs of the business.

The candidate will be expected to follow the firm’s agile working policy, which embraces home working but will require employees to spend a minimum number of days each week in the office.

We are open to flexible working by arrangement although this role is intended as a full-time position.

Farrer & Co is an equals opportunity employer who welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We look to employ the best candidates regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which consists of a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.