Senior Business Development Manager

CMS CAMERON MCKENNA NABARRO OLSWANG (SINGAPORE) LLP; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent law firm in Singapore seeks a seasoned professional to head the Business Development and Marketing function for the Asia Pacific region. Responsibilities include managing a team, developing strategic marketing plans, and leading initiatives for client targeting. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in a professional services environment, excellent communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to build relationships across the firm. This role offers a dynamic work environment with significant opportunities for impact.

Qualifications

• More than 10 years of experience in Business Development, Marketing and Communications.
• Experience in proposal management and client targeting.
• Familiarity with IT packages necessary for the role.

Responsibilities

• Manage the BD and Marketing function for the Asia Pacific region.
• Develop strategic plans for BD, Marketing & Communications.
• Lead client targeting campaigns and initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excellent oral and written communication

Team management

Budget management

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Job description

About the Role

Your responsibilities will include:

• Head up the BD and Marketing function for the Asia Pacificregion.
• Team Management – To manage a BD Manager and Senior BD Executive, and to recruit an additional BD Manager and (Senior) BD Executive, based in the HongKong and Singapore offices.
• Business Planning & Budgeting – To develop a strategicplan for BD, Marketing & Communications in the Asia Pacific region, alignedwith firmwide, regional and Global BD strategic priorities, and with anemphasis on implementing these priorities on a region-wide basis. To ensurethat potential BD activities are appropriately prioritised, budget isallocated, and agreed activities are implemented to budget and to a highstandard.
• Client Targeting and Cross-Selling – To help develop andlead campaigns and initiatives aimed at further developing/cross-sellingexisting and targeting priority potential clients based in or active in AsiaPacific in line with the firm’s client & sector strategy.
• Strategic Pitches – To serve as lead project manager for regionalRFPs and pitches (working with the regional team), where necessarycollaborating with practice group, sector or new business team resources basedin the UK. To monitor the outcome of pitches and record results on the firm’spitch database. To conduct pitch win/loss reviews as necessary.
• Communications / PR – Working with the Heads ofCommunications and Brand & Sector Communications, to differentiate the AsiaPacific offices in the market through identifying, developing and promoting ameaningful client proposition that works for the local market. To coordinatewith the Communications team on PR opportunities. To ensure that directory andawards submissions in the Asia Pacific offices are completed on time andreflect correct and compelling messaging about CMS and our regional strategy.To recommend and facilitate the involvement of firm lawyers in professionalorganizations that will enhance the visibility of the lawyers and the firm inregional and industry platforms. To drive internal communications channels andprocesses within Asia Pacific, ensuring that relevant information is sharedacross all fee earners and with the wider firm.
• Thought Leadership – To act as the primary point of contactand driver behind regional thought leadership campaigns, rolling out relevantglobal thought leadership publications regionally, facilitating the inclusionof regional content in global publications, and initiating regional campaignsand reports.
• Webinars – To develop a coherent programme of regionalwebinars and events in support of global and/or regional campaigns andinitiatives.
• Social Media – To maintain and promote the firm’s AsiaPacific social media accounts, keep a content calendar and ensure that newcontent (local, regional and where relevant global) is shared regularly andconsistently.
• BD Infrastructure – To manage, develop and refine processesand procedures relating to the BD infrastructure covering the Asia Pacificoffices, including a complete set of standard pitch content (region, office,practice and sector descriptions and credentials) in the format required forthe firm’s pitch tool and comprehensive and up to date credentials in thefirmwide credentials management system; clearly defined and segmented clientmailing lists for each office, practice and sector group and/or sub-group;brochures, flyers and inserts relating to Asia Pacific; a calendar of upcomingevents in Asia Pacific; and a list of target clients in Asia Pacific. Tomaintain quality control andensure that all marketing materials areconsistent, free of errors and up to date.
• CRM System – To oversee the maintenance and expansion ofthe firm’s CRM system in the region and to leverage the system to connectlawyers, clients and other contacts.
• Other
  • To develop and maintain effective working relations withkey individuals across the firm, particularly the Asia Pacific lawyers andbusiness services teams and the central BD, Marketing & Communicationsteams.
  • To liaise with the CMS Legal Business Development team inFrankfurt as necessary to ensure alignment with CMS-wide activities andstrategies.
  • To support other initiatives and activities as requestedfrom time to time (such as D&I and CSR).

About You

Qualifications & Experience

• Technical Competence
  • Has a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification.
  • Has more than 10 years of Business Development, Marketingand Communications experience gained in a professional servicesenvironment.
  • Has experience in all aspects of Business Development,Marketing and Communications, including proposal management, practice group andsector marketing, client targeting, marketing campaigns and external/internalcommunications.
  • Is familiar with budgeting and budget management.
  • Possesses excellent oral and written communications skills.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the IT packages/ systemsnecessary to perform the role.
  • Has a demonstrated ability to build strong workingrelationships with partners and staff at all levels within the firm and withexternal vendors.

Skills & Knowledge

• Analytical skills
  • Grasps, retains and analyses complex information andconcepts; pays good attention to detail.
  • Has the ability to present complex information and concepts in a clear and concise manner.
  • Possesses solid numerical skills.
• Communication style and approach
  • Has good judgment.
  • Has a pro‑active, can‑do attitude.
  • Demonstrates excellent listening skills and checks for understanding wherever necessary.
  • Responds to professional environment, presenting consistently professional verbal and non‑verbal behaviour with clients and colleagues.
• Management
  • Has experience of managing small teams, ensuring team members perform effectively and contribute to the work of the team as a whole.
  • Demonstrates ability to plan and organise time; works to given timeframes and balances work well to meet goals and objectives.
  • Identifies issues, risks and conflicts and asks for assistance and/or delegates appropriately when required in a timely and constructive manner.
  • Adheres to, and seeks to improve established processes and procedures, where appropriate.