Business Development Manager (Maritime)

Watson Farley & Williams is an international law firm advising on complex disputes and transactions through local knowledge and an integrated international network.  We have a strong sector focus, combining our technical excellence with deep industry knowledge across Energy, Transport and associated Infrastructure.

The firm has achieved rapid expansion and year-on-year growth owed almost entirely to a focused strategy, strong leadership and the quality of its people.  The next stage in the firm’s growth plan is to achieve full-service strength within core sectors across the global platform.

We strive for excellence in all that we do and view investment in our people as key to achieving our business goals and values, which rest on developing deep and long-lasting relationships externally and internally through respect, sharing, communication and integrity.

Our global practice is integrated across our offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America delivering consistently high levels of service across borders and locally through a deep understanding of local business customs and culture.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace to attract and retain the most talented people from all backgrounds and cultures.  We believe in celebrating difference and that people from any background can rise to the top, ensuring opportunities to develop and progress are available for all.

The global Business Development and Communications team comprises over 50 business development, communications and marketing professionals based across the jurisdictions where we have an office.  As our route to market is through our global sectors and our clients are international, team members regularly collaborate to deliver cross-border campaigns and global projects.  It is a close-knit and very supportive team with an excellent reputation across the firm.

Working in partnership with key stakeholders across the firm’s maritime sector, this role requires a self-motivated person who can provide both strategic and operational support to our lawyers in the management and growth of existing client relationships and the development of new business.  Working with our Global Maritime Sector Lead and a dynamic and ambitious Sector Head, this role will be instrumental in driving the growth of this market leading sector group.

WFW has the largest maritime legal practice in the world and is recognised as one of the pre-eminent law firms in the sector.  As an industry leader, we advise on some of the most complex, cross border and high value maritime matters in the world as well as supporting the industry in its transition to a more sustainable future with key initiatives such as the Poseidon Principles. 

This role is part of our London Transport Business Development team and is supported by a Senior Business Development Executive and Business Development Assistant. 

Sam Marchant - Director of Global Business Development and Communications

Amy Keenan - Senior Business Development Manager

George Macheras - Partner and Global Maritime Sector Head

Kate Silverstein – London Asset Finance Practice Group Head (Maritime)

Kavita Shah – Partner (Maritime)

Partnering with our Global Maritime Sector Head and working proactively with partners and lawyers based in London who operate in the maritime sector, your role will include:

• Implementing and delivering the London Maritime sector Business Development and Marketing plan, providing advice to ensure the effective implementation of key initiatives.
• Developing and managing the London Maritime Business Development and Marketing budget, ensuring spend is aligned to strategy and delivers a return on investment.
• Proactively identifying and implementing sector-led campaigns to generate and grow business.
• Contributing to the development of long-term profitable relationships by supporting and coaching partners in the management of key clients including identifying opportunities to grow the relationship and providing strategic advice and recommendations to partners based on client feedback.
• Project managing pitch opportunities in sector, including preparation of pitch documentation, coaching teams ahead of presentations and securing client feedback to assess quality and value.
• Coaching partners and senior lawyers ahead of client/prospect meetings including evaluating opportunities and preparing relevant collateral.
• Developing and executing profile raising activities and initiatives to develop market position matched to business strategy through appropriate digital channels, events and conferences, strategic directories, league tables and awards.
• Staying well-informed and engaged on the latest industry developments and market trends, providing business intelligence on key competitors and interpreting how to best translate those into opportunities for the team.
• Liaising and working with other members of the global Business Development and Communications team as well as other Business Functions (e.g. Finance/Knowledge Management) to improve the co-ordination and delivery of initiatives across the firm, adding value to the business as well as our clients.
• Developing, championing and implementing firmwide projects and systems as appropriate.
• Developing and managing the London Maritime Business Development Executive.
• Serving as a mentor, sounding board and role model for junior members of the team and contributing to overall team planning, development and culture.

• 7+ years of professional services (preferably legal) business development or relevant industry experience.
• The ability to work effectively with and influence partners and other key stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent written communication and editing skills with the ability to write accurate, concise and persuasive text.
• The ability to understand product and service development issues.
• An active awareness of, or interest in increasing an understanding of, the maritime sector.
• The capability to take responsibility for and lead specific projects.

• A positive role model who meets new challenges with a constructive and open mind and shows enthusiasm for new opportunities and ideas.
• Regarded as a team player who is confident sharing information across a broader team.
• Understands and demonstrates WFW's core values of respect, sharing, communication and integrity.
• Plays a full part in making WFW a firm they would recommend to others to work in, and respects diversity and acts fairly and inclusively.

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.

This role is being offered on a 12 month fixed term contract to cover a period of maternity leave.

Respect for different backgrounds and perspectives is at the heart of our firm’s core values and we recognise the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential. This is a key feature of our Global Code of Conduct, which places diversity and inclusion at the centre of our firm’s ways of working.

We believe that exceptional client service can only be delivered by exceptional people. For this reason, we aim to attract, retain and develop the best talent from a wide range of backgrounds. All decisions relating to employment will be objective and based on merit and ability.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are as inclusive and barrier-free as possible. This includes making adjustments for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition.  If you require adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, we’d encourage you to get in touch with a member of our team who would be happy to discuss options with you.