Allen & Overy103 reviews - Johannesburg, Gauteng
Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. By turning our insight, technology and talent into ground-breaking solutions, we’ve earned a place at the forefront of our industry. Our lawyers are leaders in their field – and the same goes for our support teams. Ambitious, driven and open to fresh perspectives, we find innovative new ways to deliver our services and maintain our reputation for excellence, in all that we do.
The nature of law is changing and with that change brings unique opportunities. With our collaborative working culture, flexibility, and a commitment to your progress, we build rewarding careers. By joining our global team, you are supported by colleagues from around the world. If you’re ready for a new challenge, it’s time to seize the opportunity.
Department purpose
Our coordinated business development, marketing and communication teams contribute to the setting and achievement of the firm’s business objectives, which includes improving our client relationships, increasing the visibility of the firm globally, and supporting our partners and associates in their pursuit of becoming our clients’ trusted advisers.
Role purpose
This role is focussed on the implementation of the BD strategy for the Allen & Overy’s Johannesburg office. The role will involve supporting the office to win more work and the office’s broader Africa activities working collaboratively across borders on practice and sector driven BD activities (focusing on delivering on brand pitches; coordinating directories submissions and events; and drafting and coordinating the distribution of on-brand marketing collateral and communication), campaigns and initiatives. The role requires a ‘hands-on’ approach to marketing and BD. Being adept at achieving results through detailed work and building relationships and influence within the office will be essential to success.
The incumbent will work closely with other business development and marketing team members within the global network and with other support areas such as Finance, Human Resources, Business Acceptance Unit, In-house Legal, Know-How, Document Production and Creative Services.
Key relationships
- Johannesburg office fee earners and business services staff (i.e. HR; IT, Finance, Legal PA’s, etc)
- Global Business Development and Marketing team
- Other global teams – Library; Finance; Training; Advanced Delivery & Solutions; Creative Services, Document Production; EPiC and Online Services
Role and responsibilities
We are looking for an ambitious individual with a proven track record in a similar role in a professional services environment (or sector related organisation), driven to work in a high performance business development team at a global law firm where commercial insight, developing strong personal relationships and achieving tangible results are valued and recognised. The job will include, but not be limited to:
- Proposals – assist the team in preparing proposals, pitch presentations and credentials statements for London based proposals (and the wider global Projects practice when necessary). Capture proposal outcomes and prompt fee earns to act upon feedback.
- BD Tactics – works with PAs to ensure email distribution and target lists are kept up to date, maintain updated collateral, credentials, contact cards and CVs, and track and ensure deal information is regularly and accurately captured in the firm’s experience system EPIC.
- Systems/Processes – working with the rest of the team to implement internal marketing systems and tools, including maintaining effective mailing lists; review and coordinate the updating of intranet and internet pages relating to CVs, events and seminars; and coordinating the updating of EPIC experience records. The role holder will have a key part to play in making suggestions to enhance the efficiency and operation of these tools across the BD team.
- Directories and awards – lead in collating the directory and award submissions in an effort to increase the market presence of the Johannesburg office and fee earners.
- Client events and hospitality – compile recommendation reports for events/sponsorship opportunities, and lead on the coordination of event logistics and logistics related to pre and post event marketing activities.
- Market and client research – collate research from several sources such to support business planning and development activities.
- Marketing collateral – creating, updating and maintaining marketing collateral (internal and external) i.e. brochures, contact cards, etc
- Marketing administration – leading on the logistics relating to the registration of fee earners to attend events, sponsorship logistics, processing invoices, coordinating and booking meetings relating to BD led activities, leading on required follow-ups in relating to BD led activities, compiling monthly Johannesburg office BD reports to input into the monthly Africa group, projects and other practice area reports.
Key requirements
This is an opportunity to develop marketing and BD experience within the legal environment. The ideal candidate will be ambitious and possess the following attributes and skills:
- is highly organised
- is self-motivated
- is goal oriented
- is solution-driven
- is perseverant and resilient
- has excellent communication and interpersonal skills – both written and oral
- takes responsibility and accountability
- enjoys getting the job done in a high performance environment
- values being in and positively contributing to a cohesive, collaborative and progressive culture:
- professional, creative, good humoured and enthusiastic approach to all work and interactions.
- a proactive approach, balancing creativity, tenacity and energy.
- able to ask for help where necessary.
- Strong time management skills
- Ability to multi task (especially urgent requests) and work well under pressure
- Excellent attention to detail
- A hunger to learn and take on all tasks that will aid in the learning including keeping up to date with legal and commercial developments relevant to the product areas and sectors
- Strong client focus
Who we are looking for
Qualifications
Essential
Graduate with an interest in further professional qualifications (IMM or business qualification)
- Proposals and pitching experience essential
- Data management experience essential (collating, upload, maintain, analyse and distribute)
- Marketing and general administration experience essential
- Previous professional services experience would be an advantage
- Research skills would be advantageous
Desirable
Advanced Excel, PowerPoint and Word skills