Business Development Specialist-Financial Institutions Group

New York, NY

Department: Business Development

Reports to: Practice Development Senior Manager

Job Description

A global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world, is currently seeking a Business Development Specialist – Financial Institutions Group to join our winning team, located in New York. The success of our firm is largely determined by our commitment to hire and develop the very best and brightest, creating a team that provides our clients with the highest quality of work and service. We are driven by our core values: respect, innovation and collaboration.

As a Business Development Specialist – Financial Institutions Group, you will work with the FIG BD Manager and the Industry Group Chairs to develop and execute the Financial Institutions Group’s strategies. The Financial Institutions’ Group (FIG) is a global industry group comprised of attorneys from various practices within the firm’s corporate, litigation and finance departments who primarily work with financial institutions clients on proprietary matters. You must provide qualitative and quantitative analysis in support of the Financial Institutions Group to understand current market landscape, market trends, Firm’s position in the market, and potential opportunities as the key drivers of the strategic plans. The position is global in scope, though particular focus will be given to the US market. You will be expected to collaborate with attorneys, BD colleagues, and various departments across the firm to execute on the responsibilities outlined below.

• Collaborating with and supporting the FIG BD Manager and the Industry Group Chairs to understand market position, developing strategic plan and drive marketing efforts to maintain and grow practice and industry position.
• Collaborating with the Global Library to prepare routine analysis and reporting of practice and industry competition, market trends, internal financial information, business opportunities and pitch activity in efforts to develop and implement internal and external strategies both globally and by region.
• Collaborating with local office BD team members to execute region or office-specific initiatives and to identify cross-practice, cross-industry synergies and opportunities at a local office and regional level.
• Identifying opportunities for thought leadership and other marketing and campaign ideas to increase both internal and external brand awareness for the industry sector.
• Partnering with the global PR team to ensure coverage of successful matters, initiatives and products in key markets and significant matters are publicized internally and externally in accordance with the firm’s public relations policy.
• Staying abreast of developments and trends in the industry and remaining informed of all major new clients and significant matters.
• Developing in-depth knowledge of the Financial Institutions industry and acting as a firm resource regarding: lawyer expertise, product expertise, firm experience, industry/trade group organizations, legal, Industry and business trends, industry-specific marketing collateral, and industry-specific media.
• Supporting the FIG BD Manager in forecasting and tracking activities against the industry and practice group budgets as well as ROI analysis against applicable spend.
• Collaborating with Financial Information Center on client coding and financial data reporting.
• Collaborating with the Global Proposal team, Practice Development Managers, Industry Group Leads and Regional BD teams to draft and maintain practice and industry specific content and rankings for proposal management system.
• Serving as a point of contact for must win pitches, RFPs and panel reviews within the relevant industry.
• Developing the industry specific global directory and award submissions and assisting with relevant regional submissions.
• Providing status on matters/cases to appropriate Practice Development Manager in efforts to assist with experience collection.
• Maintaining Industry-specific e-mail marketing lists using the firm’s customer relations management software system in conjunction with the firm’s InterAction team.
• Collaborating with firm resources to produce trend reports for the Industry Group Chairs and developing standard tools for reporting and analyzing data.
• Working to ensure quality professional product, as well as delivery of all work within established timeframes.
• Maintaining professional image within the Industry team and projecting the same image to those outside of the team.
• Supporting Industry, Practice and local team members in completing tasks as required.
• Completing special projects as assigned.
• Promoting effective work practices, working as a team member, and showing respect for co-workers.

In Support of the FIG Industry BD Manager

• Assisting with local and regional FIG initiatives including sponsorships, events, proactive client targeting initiatives, etc., partnering with local and regional BD team members as necessary.
• Identifying local and regional opportunities for thought leadership, branding opportunities and other strategic BD initiatives aligned with the overall global strategy and collaborating with the local office team in execution.
• Identifying internal communication opportunities (including internal presentations and trainings at the local office or practice level) to further promote FIG across practice areas locally and regionally.
• Acting as a liaison with the financial institution client teams and monitors and reports on activity to BD client team leads.
• Acting as an industry resource/subject matters expert for pitches and proposals in support of partners and the New Business Team.
• Communicating regularly with the FIG BD manager to discuss industry trends, localized activity, etc. in order to provide ongoing reporting and analysis to the industry chairs as well as to collaborate on global industry initiatives.
• Serving as a point of contact for the PR team to support FIG-related PR efforts, including media inquiries, deal notes, awards submissions, etc.
• Aiding in the creation and maintenance of regional-specific marketing and BD materials.
• Helping develop processes and procedures for appropriate tracking of FIG-related experience and activity.
• Supporting the planning and development of the annual Financial Institutions Group retreat.
• Assisting with local lateral partner integration, as necessary.

As a Business Development Specialist – Financial Institutions Group, you will be expected to apply your organizational and communication skills while displaying a positive, high-energy attitude. The successful Business Development Specialist – Financial Institutions Group candidate must have general knowledge of the financial services landscape including various players within the industry, general financial principals, industry trends, etc. as well as, general knowledge of corporate finance and accounting principles and terminology.

A successful candidate should exhibit the ability to maintain flexibility with respect to assigned tasks due to changing deadlines, changing deliverables and changing task priorities; ability to learn and apply new skills quickly and effectively; strong communication skills, both written and verbal, including effective interpersonal communications (e.g., active listening); ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion; possess an advanced ability to perceive and analyze problems and develop alternative strategies to solve them; knowledge and proficiency in PC applications, including Microsoft Access, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

A minimum of four (4) years related subject matter experience and related analytical experience in a legal or professional services environment and experience responding to ad-hoc requests, developing analysis, and producing reports desired. A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Marketing or related field required. Ideally some experience working at a bank or other financial institution as well as a general interest in the financial services industry is preferred. Prior knowledge and experience working in the legal industry is not required. Occasional travel is required for this position.