The Senior Manager, Technology (TECH) drives targeted business development activities that support the growth and management of TECH portfolio accounts.
The Senior Manager will work directly with lawyers, including Client Service Directors (CSDs), and clients to directly play a part in driving the firm's client growth strategy. As an ambassador for the Client Program, the Senior Manager will work collaboratively on opportunities with global, regional and local BD colleagues to develop our largest client relationships.
The Senior Manager strives to have their finger on the pulse - to be embedded with the internal client teams and also directly connected to contacts at the client. The Senior Manager develops a deep understanding of their assigned clients' business, priorities, and preferred ways-of-working.
Leveraging the Firm’s Alliance of Alliances (“AOA”) Strategy and Client Program infrastructure, the Senior Manager will deploy advanced analytics and technology platforms to drive data-informed strategic decisions.
Main Responsibilities:
- Sector and client knowledge: Develop an in-depth understanding of assigned TECH clients and the broader sector / sub-sectors in which they operate. Continuously assess how the Firm is facing the client organization, at what level and in what areas and determine what relationships need to be protected/strengthened/explored further in order to grow profitable revenues.
- Firm knowledge: Develop an understanding of the Firm’s broader strategy as well as the Firm’s strengths (market-leading positions, awards), leadership, and key offerings (from high value products to CLEs, Pro Bono, Sustainability and DEI) and build comfort speaking on these topics with clients at networking events, etc.
- Client strategies and plans: Develop and proactively drive the implementation of the strategic client plan and associated tactical actions in conjunction with the Client Teams.
- High-impact engagement formats: Support initiatives that drive the Firm’s market position – from C-Suite roundtables for top clients to strategic thought leadership initiatives, key sponsorships and events, and client collaborations. Leverage the full value-added services available to assigned clients based on client tier.
- Go-to support for CSDs: Act as the key point of contact for internal queries, and as a conduit between the client and the client team to facilitate introductions, organize / attend client meetings, and manage internal client team communications to improve the global coordination of our largest client teams.
- Business development driver: Challenge thinking, influence and coach CSDs and other Partners and lawyers on pursuits, networking and day-to-day BD activities.
- Client listening: Conduct client listening / feedback directly with the client covering relationship and post-matter reviews. Drive continuous improvement and resolve relationship or service issues, ensuring a close-loop process to the client. Leverage the insights from client listening from clients to identify opportunities to grow relationships.
- Assess and flag relationship risks: Continually monitor for and assess relationship risks, which could range from client dissatisfaction to declining fees / new mandates or key departures (either partners or client contacts). Flag any perceived relationship risks to the Clients Team Lead, Technology and support resolution of issues where possible.
- Secondments:As needed, conduct pre- and post-secondment briefings and ensure that client secondments are strategic and fully maximized for value.
- Leverage digital platforms: Maximize value of tools and networks (e.g. LinkedIn, Sales Navigator, Baker CI) and sector events to enhance partner, client team, and sector visibility and generate qualified leads.
- Contact management:Build, maintain and utilize client mapping and diagnostic tools to identify growth opportunities and deepen institutional relationships, including senior legal counsel, C-Suite and Board levels.
- Zipp relationships: Build direct relationships with assigned clients with a focus on facilitating connections for partners, broadening and deepening relationships across the client organization and increasing referrals to our transactional teams. Develop and maintain a deep understanding of clients' industries, business challenges, and strategic priorities, allowing for the offering of proactive solutions and demonstrating a deep commitment to help.
- Pitches and proposals:Assist with global panel pitches and tenders (with Specialist Global Pursuits team) and providing necessary client-centric guidance and input into local office and practice-specific pitches.
- Cutting-edge technology: Leverage technology and data analytics to understand how TECH clients are engaging with the Firm and uncover client demand.
- Leverage AI: Maximize use of available AI tools to reduce administrative processes within assigned accounts.
- Client financial performance: Implement metrics-driven approaches to track and improve client financial performance indicators including profitability.
- Budget & ROI management: Manage any BDMC budget(s) for assigned client(s), ensuring that all business development initiatives are effectively coordinated to extract maximum return on investment. Assist the Clients Team TECH hub with tracking and analysing ROI on BD initiatives.
- Client reporting: Manage all required and proactive reporting to assigned clients.
Skillsand experience:
- 8+ years’ experience in business development, and client relationship management with an international law Firm or other professional services environment
- Bachelor's degree preferably in business administration, marketing or communications or equivalent work experience
- Excellent English written and verbal communication skills and outstanding attention to detail
- Commercial acumen, deep understanding of client/business planning gained through experience in senior level business roles
- Strong analytical skills and understanding of law firm financial levers
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to successfully manage key internal and external relationships and projects across the global organization
- Savvy in understanding and adapting to the expectations and the needs of different cultures across the Firm
- Ability to readjust and reorganize plans and deal and manage change
Reports to: Clients Team Lead, Technology
Travel requirements: Travel as required and with the approval of the Global Clients Lead, Technology and the Global Head of Clients. .
Agile working: Given the global nature of the team, clients and role, flexibility will be required to attend and participate in team calls/meetings in order to accommodate multiple time zones. Agile working is supported by the Firm.