Director: Business Development

Overview:

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world's major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial and collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realise their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm's client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Business Development and Marketing team in our London office.

Reporting to: Senior Director: Commercial Strategy and Growth

Purpose of the role:

A portfolio role that has responsibility for:

• Business Development and Marketing strategy and execution across Europe and the Middle East
• Strategic and operational business development and marketing support to the EMEA offices and management teams, including budget management
• Direct and indirect management of a global team of business development and marketing business services professionals
• Oversight of select global business development and marketing initiatives
• Advisory and project support for global business development and marketing priority programmes where required

Responsibilities:

The role-holder will:

• Create and deliver a business development and marketing strategy for the EMEA offices of Mayer Brown that is appropriately aligned with the Firm's global strategy and priorities
• Devise a programme of business development and marketing activity in conjunction with the Regional Office Managing Partners that will drive greater cross-office collaboration across Europe and the Middle East
• Identify relevant support requirements and develop a framework for the integration and efficient delivery of high-quality BD support
• Identify non-value adding business development and marketing activity and work with the European partnership to formulate a strategy for change
• Act as business development and marketing counsel to the regional office managing partners with respect to client retention, growth and brand development
• In coordination with other global business development and marketing directors, (Clients, Industries, Products and Marketing Communications) lead on the development of business development and marketing strategies for EMEA offices, including external public relations and communications
• Oversee internal communications for EMEA offices with the global internal communications function, Human Resources department and other senior administrative departments
• In coordination with other global business development and marketing directors, lead local leadership for client account and accelerated growth area managers and ensure the client team resources are driven to deliver value
• In coordination with other global business development and marketing directors, lead, motivate and ensure focus of the European Business Development and Marketing teams and other BD&M teams as required, ensuring delivery of annual goal statements, effective BD budgetary control and delivery of high-quality service
• Collaborate and coordinate with fellow Business Development & Marketing senior team members to ensure efficient global support
• Ongoing review of European business development and marketing team members to ensure maximum value and efficiency is delivered to the Firm
• Ad hoc delivery of business development and marketing projects/initiatives as the business demands
• Support the Senior Director: Commercial Strategy and Growth and the CCO on the delivery of the Firm's strategic programmes

Qualifications:

Experience, Skills and Attributes:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in business development, client relationship management, or strategic sales, with at least 5 years leadership experience within professional services, ideally in a legal environment.
• Experience in developing and executing BD strategies aligned with firm objective
• Demonstrated success in managing high-value client relationships and cross-selling services.
• Familiarity with legal market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory considerations.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing BD teams across EMEA, ensuring alignment and collaboration across different markets and practice areas, including with partners and other senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work across multiple areas of the sub-functions within the Commercial team (marketing, client development, sector teams) to deliver integrated BD strategies
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify market opportunities and develop actionable plans.
• Relationship Management: Exceptional networking and client engagement skills.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of pricing strategies, profitability, and ROI.
• Negotiation & Persuasion: Skilled in influencing senior decision-makers and closing deals.
• Data-Driven Approach: Proficiency in using CRM systems, analytics, and reporting tools.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for pitches and proposals.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines effectively.
• Highly proactive and results-oriented.
• Collaborative and able to work effectively with partners and cross-functional teams.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced, competitive environment.
• Professional presence and credibility when engaging with clients and senior stakeholders.
• Innovative thinker who can bring fresh ideas to client development and marketing strategies.

At Mayer Brown, we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment that offers our people the opportunity and support they need to succeed.

Our culture promotes mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation and productivity among people from all backgrounds and values different perspectives and ideas.

One of our core values at Mayer Brown is to promote inclusion at all levels within the business which is actively supported by our Employee Resource Groups - LGBTQI+, Fusion (Race & Ethnicity), Multi-faith, Women, Enable (Disability), Social Inclusion and Opportunities Network and Work and Me (Family).

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that individuals may require throughout the recruitment process and once they have joined the Firm.