Senior Business Development Manager - Private Equity

Clifford Chance has an ambitious global strategy which puts clients at the very heart of everything the Firm does. The Business Development ("BD") function is pivotal in making the Firm strategy a reality. BD teams collaborate strategically with partners, lawyers and other business professional functions to drive sustainable growth. The BD function supports conversion of key client and market opportunities through the development and delivery of targeted business development and marketing plans.

This role is part of a global BD team supporting our Corporate, Private Equity practice in the Americas.

This role collaborates closely with Partners and Lawyers to support identification, pursuit and winning of revenue generating opportunities for our Private Equity practice in the Americas.

This role works alongside counterparts in the other regions, as well as being a key member of the BD community in the Americas.

Clifford Chance's Global Private Equity Practice leads on many of the world's largest and most visible private equity transactions.  We have built an unrivalled and longstanding client base over many years, through consistently delivering exceptional service and a differentiated product.

We have a unique perspective on the entire private equity and infrastructure market, current market positions and evolving deal technology and structures. We are in, and at the centre of, the market flow and market intel.

We are one of the few firms that can deliver consistently high-quality private equity advice with extensive geographic coverage – a true “one stop shop”.   Our practice is considered the benchmark in the industry. We are Band 1 for PE in each of the following regions: Globally, APAC,  Europe and the UK.

The Role

You will play a pivotal role in shaping and driving the growth strategy for our Americas private equity practice.

You will initiate and lead business development and marketing initiatives to help us to strengthen our client relationships and reputation, particularly in the U.S. PE market.

You will work closely with our PE partners and the wider CMD team to identify and drive forward new business opportunities and join the dots within the U.S. and outbound.

We are looking for a highly effective and experienced individual and a team player, who operates with a high level of energy and passion and a real sense of pride about their work and contribution to the business – both at a strategic and tactical level. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy and Implementation

• Create, develop and implement the U.S. Private Equity business development ("BD") and marketing plan.
• Ensure regional alignment of activities through effective leadership and communication and by fostering and facilitating strong intra-group collaboration.
• Track progress against the plan and refine approach accordingly to achieve the over-arching goals.
• Commission in-depth research on PE product and market trends, clients, prospects, and competitors to inform strategic marketing decisions.

Client and Market Development (working together with local CMD team members and Client Development Managers as needed)

• Act as the go-to regional expert for information about the Private Equity Group's BD and Marketing priorities, activities, campaigns, priority clients, prospects, and credentials.
• Help to facilitate the flow of information to drive collaboration and cross-selling of client relationships and products across the private capital spectrum.
• Produce high-quality client-facing capability statements, asset teasers and presentations – and ensure they are shared and recycled across the group.
• Provide end-to-end support on regional RFPs including facilitating "go/no go" decisions; and feed into global panel RFPs as needed (led by our Global Proposals Team).
• Support regional client targeting exercises and 1:1 client engagement with priority clients.
• Maintain oversight of priority clients and prospects including who is leading on each relationship/pursuit in the region.
• Initiate and manage client feedback, in particular, post-matter reviews.
• Maintain the upkeep of marketing materials such as key differentiator positioning statements, practice descriptions, details of transactions, legal directory rankings and awards.

Marketing and Reputation Building

• Work closely with the partners and our knowledge team to identify "hot" legal and commercial developments and build successful marketing campaigns and thought leadership pieces around these with the support of the Brand Communications & Marketing team.
• Help identify, coordinate and deliver flagship multi-client events in the region (seminars, webinars, roundtable dinners, conferences, etc) with assistance from the Events and Brand, Communications & Marketing teams.
• Identify and coordinate high-profile CC-sponsored market-facing initiatives.
• Evaluate effectiveness and ROI of regional marketing spend.
• Prepare regional Private Equity directory and awards submissions and support the directory research cycle including liaising with the researchers (with the support of our central directories team).
• Prepare regional directory and award submissions that are being prioritised.
• Liaise with the PR team to capitalise on media opportunities.

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $240,000 - $275,000. The actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

Your Experience

• Extensive experience in business development, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment with a focus on private equity / transactional practice groups.
• Strong understanding of the private equity market and key players.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful business development strategies and marketing initiatives.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients, partners, and sector leaders and work in a matrix structure.
• Strong leadership abilities and highly effective influencing skills, ideally operating in an international, business.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Extensive experience supporting the RFP processes from go-no go through to pitch rehearsals.  Experienced in producing high quality marketing materials for client development opportunities.
• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, law, or related field. An MBA or similar advanced degree is preferred.
• Must be able to adhere and comply with the Firm's Agile Working Policy which requires employees to work from the office at least three days each calendar week.
• Must be independently and legally authorized to work in the United States.

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

#LI-Hybrid