Permanent |
Full-time
|
Regional Head of BD, Asia |
Business Development & Communications |
Hong Kong |
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, marketing and communications 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. |
Our Business Development Executive role will require a self-motivated person who can work with and support our Transport (with a particular focus on the Maritime sector) BD team which consists of the Head of BD, Asia and a number of colleagues throughout the Global BD & Comms team. The role will support the management of existing client relationships and the development of new business opportunities across the firm’s global transport sector, with a particular focus on the maritime industry. |
Matthew Dick – Regional Head of BD, Asia
Christoforos Bisbikos – Partner and Asia Head of Assets & Structured Finance
George Macheras – Partner and Global Maritime Sector Head |
Working proactively with partners and lawyers based across Asia who operate in the maritime sector, your role will include:
- Supporting the APAC partners in implementing the regional maritime sector business development and marketing plan.
- Preparing and project managing pitch opportunities including preparation of pitch and credentials documentation and client research reports.
- Preparing marketing collateral and supporting documentation ahead of client/prospect meetings.
- Working alongside lead Partners to manage and drive forward our key business development campaigns.
- Working with the Head of BD, Asia and other key stakeholders to deliver campaigns which grow new and existing business.
- Working alongside Partners in developing targeted client initiatives and campaigns – researching market intelligence and preparing suitable marketing collateral.
- Contributing to the development of long-term profitable relationships by supporting partners in the management of key clients including spotting opportunities to grow the relationship, and participating in client reviews and post-transaction feedback.
- Staying well-informed and engaged on the latest industry developments and market trends across the maritime sector, including reading relevant trade publications and researching potential organisations and projects.
- Leading and co-ordinating, submissions to global energy, transport and infrastructure league tables.
- Co-ordinating and drafting relevant sector directory submissions and awards.
- Identifying and supporting with industry events (with the support of the Events team) and conference attendance to develop/maintain market position matched to the business strategy and generate leads for the sector.
- Capturing and reviewing deal and pitch content, ensuring information is available on all global databases.
- Championing the use of digital platforms and social media to raise the profile of our lawyers, key initiatives and the firm and providing advice on how best to use digital channels based on analytics.
- 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 Business Development projects and business support tools, such as Interaction, as appropriate.
- Serving as a mentor, sounding board and role model for junior members of the team and contributing to overall team planning, development and culture.
|
- 4+ year’s legal Business Development experience.
- Experience in the coordination and development of pitches and credentials statements.
- The ability to work effectively with, and influence, partners and other key stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to manage and prioritise multiple projects running in parallel with tight deadlines.
- Excellent written communication and editing skills with an ability to write accurate, concise and persuasive copy.
- An ability to understand product, sector and service development issues.
Business level Chinese Mandarin language skills, both oral and written. |
- A positive role model who meets new challenges with a constructive and open mind and shows enthusiasm for new opportunities and ideas.
- A team player who is confident sharing information across a broader team.
- An understanding and demonstration of the firm's core values of respect, sharing, communication and integrity.
- Playing a full part in making the firm somewhere that they would recommend to others to work in, respecting diversity and acting fairly and inclusively.
An interest in the maritime/shipping sector. |
We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees. |
The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated. |
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. |