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Function

The Business Development, Marketing and Communications (BDMC) function works closely with our Partners and leadership teams to:

• Increase our revenue, profitability, and share across markets, industries, and clients
• Enable us to win, retain, and grow business through powerful pitches, engaging thought leadership, and strong relationship management
• Lead market & client intelligence efforts to create new service line opportunities in industry and practice groups
• Channel the Baker McKenzie brand, identity, and culture through a single communications voice

Role Purpose

To plan and execute the overall BD strategy and related BD/ marketing initiatives for the AP Dispute Resolution Practice Group, including Anti-trust & Competition and Investigations, Ethics, and Compliance. The role holder will work closely with the Partner Leads and Communities to drive revenue-generating activities for the Firm in these areas.

The role is instrumental in helping to acquire new clients and expand existing client relationships. An essential part of the role is to work closely with the in-market business development teams, global BD counterparts, IKCs, AP+ client teams, industry groups, and other practice groups.

Responsibilities

Strategy, Business Planning and Budgeting:

• Develop and deliver a compelling BDMC strategy across the Practice areas, understanding market needs and dynamics; set the strategic market-focused direction for the Groups with the fee earners
• In line with the Firm’s Client Value Model, define, develop, and deliver PG-specific value propositions, products, and services that highlight our commercial capabilities and drive client growth across sectors, working in collaboration with Knowledge Management and Global Practice Groups
• Work closely with the group's counterparts in In-market teams or other regional teams, its liaisons, and the KM team to identify opportunities and create or tailor offerings to be promoted to the group's target clients
• Enable cross-practice collaboration with other groups key to the practice’s strategy, aligned to client solutions and driving demand campaigns
• Monitor ROI and develop and manage budget proactively to ensure value creation from investments and effective implementation of strategy

Management of the Group’s Steering Committee:

• Act as a strategic advisor to the Groups' AP Chair, Sub Group leads and Community members
• Work with the leaders to create an engaged and enthusiastic Community, with members responsible and accountable for executing key priorities
• Organize and facilitate meetings and other important discussions for the Groups

Client Development:

• Collaborate and coordinate with IKC and Client Managers to drive key account management and client relationships with strategic accounts
• Partner closely with other expert functions (Key Client/AP+ Client management, Global Marketing & Campaigns, and Communications) to ensure the Group's media engagement, proposal preparation and pitch training for attorneys, pricing options, and alternative fee arrangements strategies align with the requirements of the business as well as global best practice

Profile Raising & Communications:

• Develop, define, and disseminate clear positioning and messaging for the Group and its practitioners worldwide, aligned with Firm branding and communications plans
• Provide strategic and significant guidance to the Directories, Awards, and Submissions (DAS) team in preparing regional submissions for profile-raising purposes, liaising with relevant lawyers, regional BD coordinator, and in-market BD teams and reviewing the draft documents to ensure that deal information and submission entries reflect the cross-border expertise of the Firm in the DR/Arbitration and IP and Technology practices
• Drive both internal and external communications for the Group, local/ regional/international media, and intranet to channel the Baker McKenzie brand, identity, and culture through a single, uniform, and strategically consistent communications voice
• Monitor and spot forward-looking the Groups' issues and trends, and translate their legal impact to clients and lawyers in a commercial way
• Enhance internal awareness of Group-specific issues and equip lawyers to talk about them irrespective of their practice group
• Team with fee earners and BDMC colleagues globally to market the group's value proposition and expertise through the development of thought leadership content and other profile-raising activities, tracking ROI on all efforts to adjust investment strategy as needed
• Events, conferences, and sponsorships: identify and manage, in particular, the Groups' flagship events, major industry conference sponsorships, and key partnerships
• Work with the Global and AP Marketing & Communications team to develop and execute a communications media plan, and ensure that the Groups have a compelling website and digital media presence
• Lead internal communications strategy, equip fee earners so that they can understand the business realities our clients face and proactively support the group's efforts

Bid Support & Marketing materials:

• Work with BDMC center teams (Global Client Pursuits; Marketing Services; Awards and Directories Team; Experience Management; Event Management) around cross-border production needs including proposal and communications templates; marketing material, campaigns, and channels; roll-out of branding communications and advertising
• Identify, develop, and maintain a suite of marketing materials, including for each of the Groups' sub-sectors or relevant service lines

People Management:

• Management and coaching for the Practice Group Coordinator

Technical skills, qualifications and experience

• Significant post-qualification business development and marketing experience in a law firm, accounting firm, or business consultancy; An understanding of IPTech and Dispute Resolution advice/practice is helpful, but not required
• Excellent English language skills (verbal and written) and the confidence to communicate in a multi-cultural, multi-level environment
• Experience working directly with senior counterparts on strategy and execution
• Management experience with direct reports
• Excellent time management and organizing skills; ability to prioritize and manage time to meet deadlines
• Strong word processing and spreadsheet skills
• Experience in or willingness to learn document automation and other legal tech