Business Development Specialist - job 1 of 2

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.

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.

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.

Clifford Chance is seeking a full-time Business Development Specialist to join our rapidly expanding Houston office. Working with our Houston Business Development Manager and Houston Partners to support the Business Development efforts. The Business Development Specialist will work closely with the Business Development Manager and Houston attorneys on BD activities, including pitches, directory submissions, league tables, industry and client research, conferences, events, and other profile-raising activities. The practice areas currently supported by the team in Houston include Corporate/M&A, Projects, Capital Markets, Commercial Transactions & Outsourcing and Tax. Our attorneys in the Houston office have a strong focus on the energy sector.

This position will collaborate with partners, lawyers, and business development and communications colleagues in the Americas and across the global network to support initiatives both domestically and internationally. Additionally, the role will involve working on initiatives identified by the Business Development Manager – Houston office and the BD team leadership.

The Role:

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Pitching & proposal support – Assist with the preparation of capability statements, tailored client proposals, and RFPs. Follow up with attorneys and update pitch and proposal tracker. Responsible for maintaining business development materials, including practice group descriptions and lawyer biographies.

• Managing information – Responsible for maintaining and updating business development materials, including practice group descriptions, experience lists and lawyer biographies., pitches, partner biographies, awards and other external and internal communication activities. Manage relevant mailing lists within our CRM database for targeted client and prospect mailings.

• Legal Directories – Capture and maintain deal information for league table and directory submissions.  Work with the Business Development Manager and the global directories team to manage the annual legal directory submissions process.

• Research & Analysis – Conduct research on clients, target clients, competitors, and industry sectors to prepare partners for client meetings and feed into business/client plans in the region.

• Sponsorships, Conferences & Events – Manage sponsorship and conference participation, including to assess the opportunity, obtain budget approvals, discussions with attorneys and to liaise with the sponsorship point of contact. Help identify sponsorship opportunities for attorneys and collect information to present for consideration. Work with the US BD Team to update the sponsorship and events tracker.  Collaborate with the Houston Events Coordinator to maximize business and client development opportunities for each external firm event led by Houston partners. Provide post-event reports on ROI and client engagement.

• Communications – Work with the Business Development Manager and the regional Communications Team to profile our practices and deals both internally and externally.

Your Experience:

• 4+ years of relevant work experience in a law firm or professional services firm; prior business development/marketing experience preferred
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Knowledge of the US energy market would be highly beneficial in this role
• Must have superior client service skills demonstrated through:
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team and with colleagues of all seniority levels
  • Ability to work under pressure and to manage competing needs
  • Proactive and positive approach
  • Commitment to quality and attention to detail
  • Analytical and research skills
  • Understanding of our clients’ commercial objectives and marketplace
• Must keep abreast of market developments pertaining to the practice area and develop a deep understanding of the practice area's offerings, clients and markets
• Must have strong proficiency in Microsoft Office; proficiency in Interaction or CRM systems preferred
• Ability to work outside of core business hours as needed
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Hybrid Working

This role embraces our hybrid working approach. Subject to business requirements, you'll be supported to work in a hybrid way, with the expectation of being in the office at least three days per calendar week.

Equal Opportunities

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

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