JOB DESCRIPTION
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.
Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. And we enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years.
We are where you need us to be. We are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. Our international footprint is extensive and committed.
We are at our best tackling complexity and navigating change. We work alongside you on demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.
We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, ESG, infrastructure and resources. And we're focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world, including technology and digitalisation.
All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.
Your goals. Our ambition.
The Opportunity
Primary Objectives
- Supporting and influencing Transaction practice group pricing strategies and priorities, in consultation with the Regional Heads of Practice, and in alignment with the service offering of the global pricing function
- Supporting Corporate, Real Estate, Employment, CRT and FREP (Transactions) partners with their decision‑making on any aspects of pricing
- Proactively plan and successfully implement activities which enhance the firm’s pricing execution capabilities in the practice groups including through the provision of training, tools and guidance
- Ongoing tactical pricing support for the Transaction practices for tenders and other opportunities
- Proactive analysis of data to better understand expected costs of defined matter types
- Undertake financial modelling and scenario analysis to support pricing decisions on significant matter‑based pricing
- Build relationships of trust and respect within the Practice Group in order to become a trusted advisor
Support the firm’s pricing approval process
Support alignment of activities and priorities with the regional Legal Operations team, Practice Group leaders and with other Business Service functions
Primary Responsibilities :
STRATEGY
- Supporting and influencing Transactional practice group strategies and priorities, in consultation with the Regional Heads of Practices, and in alignment with the plans and service offering of the global pricing function
TEAM & PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
- Assist in creating a framework to ensure team members focus is directed towards activities that deliver optimal outcomes and maximum value to the firm;
- Assist in training and sharing of subject matter experience with members of the Pricing team.
DELIVERY & EXECUTION
- Ensure that high quality strategic tactical pricing support is provided to the Transaction practice groups for high value tenders and matter pricing requests
- Act as an adviser to Partners when they are making significant pricing decisions through concise supporting data, recommendations, and advice on negotiation strategy.
- Identify needs and opportunities to enhance the practice group pricing execution capabilities. This includes development and implementation of relevant tools, guidance materials and development programmes
- Review and advise on the drafting of pricing aspects of commercial agreements and pitches
- Contributing Pricing content to RFPs
- Collaborate with other members of the Pricing Team to develop and implement the firm's pricing strategy.
- Work closely with Global Pricing Team, Partners, Business Finance and Business Development to help develop the wider firm's pricing capabilities and lead (where required) on firmwide projects and initiatives.
- Ensure alignment of activities and priorities with the Practice leaders and with other Business Service functions
- Work with Digital Legal Delivery (DLD) staff to best harness the strong links that exist between pricing and DLD
- Contributing to long term behavioural change through Pricing coaching to ensure pricing best practice is a core competency of all Transaction practice group lawyers
Qualifications, skills and experience
- At least five years experience of working in a pricing or commercial function, ideally within a professional services company
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Commercially agile with the ability to grasp difficult concepts quickly
- Comfortable working at a fast pace with limited information to make commercial recommendations
- Experience of successful interactions with clients on pricing – both to understand client needs and also direct negotiations on behalf of the firm
- Able to build relationships and influence all levels of seniority
- Extremely numerate, with the proven ability to convert complex / raw data into concise and actionable intelligence
- Understanding of law firm economics and fee models
- Appropriate undergraduate / post graduate degree qualification
Competencies
Personal Leadership
- Positively impacts those around them, makes quality decisions and develops themselves both personally and professionally
- Demonstrates sound knowledge in the Pricing and Legal Operations field
- Anticipates potential problems and identifies a range of possible solutions
- Adapts their interpersonal style to suit different audiences in a genuine way
Builds Authentic Relationships
- Builds strong relationships of trust and respect across all levels
- Takes time to get to know people beyond their role
- Treats people with respect and in a fair and consistent way
- Recognises when colleagues are under pressure and volunteers to assist them where possible
Collaborates with others
- Works within teams and across boundaries to share knowledge and achieve results
- Identifies and builds relationships required to achieve the best outcomes for the firm
- Engages people with the right skills, knowledge and expertise to provide advice and assist with tasks
- Connects other people in the firm who have mutual interests or work objectives
- Generously shares their time, knowledge, expertise and talent to support others’ success
Enhances the Client Experience
- Creates opportunities to enhance the experience of the firm’s clients through the Pricing and Legal Operations function
- Behaves consistently with the firm’s values in their interactions with others
- Conducts themselves in a way that reflects positively on the firm’s brand, both inside and outside the firm
Achieves Results
- Maintains focus and drive to achieve quality outcomes
- Focuses their time and efforts on issues that will have the greatest impact on agreed objectives
- Anticipates responses and plans their approach accordingly
- Looks for the most effective way to achieve outcomes
- Maintains perspective and optimism when faced with setbacks
Team
Business Finance
Working Pattern
Full time
Location
London
Contract type
Permanent Contract
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.