Business Development Executive

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a BD Executive to join our growing Marketing team.

Department Purpose
Our business development (BD), marketing and communication teams contribute to the setting and achievement of the firm's business objectives, which includes supporting our partners and associates in their pursuit of becoming our clients' trusted advisers, building and maintaining long-lasting, deep institutional client relationships, winning new clients, increasing the visibility of the firm globally, and positioning the firm as the thought leader and most advanced law firm among the global elite law firms. The function works as one team across the globe with very close collaboration between the central groups - such as Communications or Events - and professionals supporting offices, practice groups, sectors and clients. We have our BD team embedded in, and dedicated to supporting, the global practice and sector groups. This role supports the global Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure (ENRI) practice and will be aligned to energy and energy transition primarily, in addition to assisting the team with practice-wide initiatives.

Role Purpose
In this role, you will focus on the implementation of the BD strategy across the energy subsectors, including emerging energy transition technologies such as green fuels, carbon capture & storage and the battery mineral value chain. The role will involve supporting the development and growth of the practice by working collaboratively across borders on sector-driven BD activities (focusing on pitches), campaigns and initiatives. This is a great opportunity for someone with an interest in the energy and infrastructure sectors looking for a targeted role that spans one of A&O Shearman's core products and five of its priority sector groups.

Role and Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities;

• Proposals - lead autonomously on the preparation of proposals, pitch presentations and credentials statements for energy and energy transition proposals. Capture proposal outcomes and prompt fee earners to act upon feedback.
• Systems/Processes - liaise with the wider ENRI group to manage internal marketing systems and tools, including maintaining effective collateral, credentials, CVs, contact cards and mailing lists, ensuring team members are prompted to review and update intranet and web pages, and coordinating the reporting of statistics on completion of experience records on the central database. Take into consideration, and share suggestions for, potential ways to enhance the efficiency and operation of these tools across the ENRI BD team.
• Directories and awards - lead on the preparation of directory and award submissions in an effort to increase the market presence of the practice.
• Secondary Responsibilities
• Market and client research - conduct research, as required, to support business planning activities. Oversee the maintenance of a flow of market/client intelligence (e.g. pipeline deals, major players, market shares, key client contact moves and developments) to partners and associates.
• Client events and hospitality - proactively identify appropriate client entertainment opportunities with fee earners and the CRM team. Assist with the organization of client events and hospitality.
• Additional projects - support, as required, on firm-wide, local, departmental and/or practice area projects.

Who we are looking for
A commercial and ambitious individual with a proven track-record in a pitch function at a similar professional
services environment / sector-related organization, driven to work in a high-performance BD team at an elite
global law firm where commercial insight, developing strong personal relationships and achieving tangible results
are valued and recognized.

Key Requirements

• Experience and/or understanding of and interest in the energy market, including energy transition, and an enthusiasm to develop in-depth knowledge of the sector's capabilities, markets, and competition.
• Substantial relevant business development and marketing experience at an equivalent BD level within a professional services organization or the energy sector, notably marketing to a business audience and where the individual frequently worked directly with senior management.
• Significant experience leading the RfP process from start to finish.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work to deadline, juggle multiple projects and deliver under pressure. Ability to plan ahead, anticipate one's own workload and know how to work with busy fee earners, balancing conflicting priorities and not over committing to unrealistic deliverables - always manages expectations.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, which can be applied to partners, key associates, and business development colleagues, clients and suppliers. Ability to motivate fee earners to engage on business development projects and to work with them to develop and implement business development plans.
• Able to think conceptually and problem solve. Can seek out the right information in the most effective way to accomplish a task and identify different approaches and strategies to situations.
• A proactive approach, balancing creativity, tenacity and energy.
• Experience of developing and executing business development strategies that have delivered significant results against strategic goals.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

This role will require occasional global travel, including visiting different offices for practice and sector reviews, business planning and client strategy meetings.

What we can offer you
We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

At A&O Shearman, we're proud to be a tech-forward firm that values innovation, integrity, and individuality.
As part of our application process, we kindly request all candidates to submit a cover letter. Please note that the use of generative AI tools in crafting your cover letter will result in disqualification, and all submissions will be reviewed using AI detection software.
We're looking for authentic voices and original thinking, qualities that reflect the creativity and drive we champion across our global teams. Your personal insights and motivations matter, and we're excited to hear your story in your own words.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

If this role is not of interest we may have another suitable opportunity here for you at A&O Shearman! Visit our careers portal at A&O Shearman Careers and submit your CV to our Talent Network to be notified when the perfect opportunity becomes available.