BACKGROUND

Our firm

Bird & Bird is a highly respected global law firm which supports organisations being changed by technology or the digital world. We combine exceptional legal expertise with deep industry knowledge and refreshingly creative thinking, to help clients achieve their commercial goals. We have over 1,600 lawyers worldwide working as a single, cohesive team across 32 offices across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, as well as close ties with firms in other parts of the world. We have an array of practice areas, complemented by our industry focused sector groups.

The firm offers excellent prospects for progression and our culture provides all our people with world-class support to achieve their ambitions and goals.

Our team

Bird & Bird's Marketing & Business Development (MBD) team's mission is to build the firm's profile, win new work and strengthen and deepen client relationships.

Our global team comprises over 100 specialists in marketing communications, business development and client service, all working closely as part of our international network of MBD colleagues based across our 32 offices worldwide. Whether it's driving a new content strategy, pitching for cutting-edge work, building our brand or contributing to the development of our client relationships, we're committed to providing exceptional service to the firm and are known for leading the way when it comes to new technology and solutions. Energetic, creative and global in our approach, we're looking for people who have a passion for MBD and are keen to take a fresh approach.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This role will provide dedicated marketing and business development support to a number of the China practice and sector groups, including Corporate/Capital Markets, Privacy & Data Protection/Commercial, Employment and Dispute Resolution. It will also include some involvement in the wider APAC practices and sectors initiatives.  

The successful candidate will be a proactive and self-motivated team player with prior marketing and business development experience.

What are we looking for?

• Working within the China MBD team and as part of the wider APAC team, the role will include:
• Supporting the Senior MBD Manager (China) in the delivery of the marketing and business development strategies and programmes across practice and sector groups in China (including four offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong).
• MBD business planning and execution, ensuring that outcomes from initiatives are monitored and reviewed effectively.
• Maintain and update the CRM database and support its continued development in Hong Kong.
• Provide support on event management and coordination in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
• Assist with the maintenance and production of marketing collateral for internal and external use including liaising with external printers etc.
• Manage the production and distribution of e-marketing bulletins, invitations etc.
• Liaise with the relevant internal teams in relation to website and intranet updates.
• Provide support on PR and communication initiatives including social media campaigns and internal communications.
• Ordering and stock management of corporate premiums.
• Assist with setting up meetings and general team related admin.

Your impact in the role

Revenue generation: translating insights and ideas into business growth.

• Using market awareness and product knowledge to identify hot topics and trends which support the various practice and industry group's business development strategy, including in relation to Priority Development Areas.
• Facilitating cross-selling opportunities with other appropriate sector/practice/country teams.
• Working closely with partners, fee earners and regional and international colleagues on pitches and general capability statements.
• Ensuring that emphasis is placed on clients in the firm wide Key Client Programme, actively looking for opportunities to market to these clients and promote the firm's client service tools.
• Working with partners and other fee earners on client development and prospect targeting initiatives.

Reputation and positioning: going to market in an effective and efficient manner.

• Developing and driving effective, sustained targeting initiatives and campaigns.
• Maximising the leverage from such initiatives, including in relation to social media and PR opportunities.
• Leading on event preparation, ensuring that value is derived and recorded.
• Timely engagement in the legal directory and awards submissions process.
• Preparing and issuing press releases as well as coordinating other PR activity (including social media).
• Undertaking research into clients and prospective clients and producing related reports.

Infrastructure, process and principles: delivering first time every time with consistent and rigorous standards.

• Managing, in conjunction with the MBD Manager (China), the MBD budgets, including provision of advice regarding the value and opportunity cost of initiatives.
• Developing and maintaining key MBD-related infrastructure, including the intranet, web pages, contact management system (IntApp), credentials database (including collection) and "pitch pack" content.
• Producing excellent and up-to-date marketing materials and helping develop content for specific projects.
• Attending all appropriate group meetings, contributing to the agenda and following-up regarding relevant initiatives.
• Monitoring and responding to general BD queries.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate will have:

Knowledge and skills

• Strong academic track-record, degree educated and commercially aware.
• Strong writing skills, editing ability and proficiency in MS Applications including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Good attention to detail.
• Excellent communications skills, written and verbal, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
• Marketing and business development experience, preferably with a background from legal or professional services industry in a generalist marketing and business development role.
• Excellent written and verbal English and Chinese.

Resource management

• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to identify, manage and deliver against competing priorities as well as the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Responsiveness and ownership of tasks to ensure they are delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Effective organisation of information and the upkeep of group MBD infrastructure.

People

• A team player, willing to offer advice and support colleagues.
• Keen to work in a challenging, team-based environment with flexibility regarding working hours.
• Takes responsibility for individual tasks and their own personal development.
• Encourages knowledge sharing and continuous improvements to business process.
• Persuasive, collaborative approach with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Values

• Confident and calm under pressure and a pragmatic approach.
• A pro-active mind-set, willingness to learn and desire to deliver high quality work.
• A positive, enthusiastic and flexible attitude to delivering results.
• Personal drive, self-awareness and integrity.
• T he ambition to make a wider contribution and to challenge and exceed expectations.

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