Director of Business Development

Morrison Foerster LLP, an Am Law 50 law firm with 18 offices worldwide, has an opening for a Director of Business Development within our Marketing Department in our London office!
The Opportunity
The Director of Business Development leads the Business Development function throughout Europe and Asia (in the London, Berlin, Brussels, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Tokyo offices).
This is a role with high visibility across the global offices as well as within the Marketing/BD organization and other Firm functions. The Director actively targets new business and works with BD teams to scale those targeting efforts. This individual collaborates with Marketing/BD colleagues across the global network and communicates effectively across Firm functional groups. The Director drives toward results while guiding and growing a team of BD professionals.
Collaborate closely with BD managers and others to ensure regional plans integrate with and support firmwide BD strategies and strategies of other practice groups. Communicate effectively on the status of projects and expected contributions of others.
Proactively build lists of targets and develop plans to pursue them. Lead “pursuit teams” to coordinate Partners from across the globe around particularly strong targets.
Ensure maximum BD benefit of secondments by, among other things, ensuring that the BD team checks in regularly with secondees and liaises with them on BD efforts.
Contribute to industry BD efforts, providing insight on approaches to take across global regions. Involve Europe and Asia BD team in industry-based efforts.
Working closely with firmwide Alumni Relations lead, develop strategies to maximize the BD benefit of our alumni network across the global network. Develop programs to deliver value to Firm alumni in Europe and Asia.
Evaluate BD efforts for their return on investment and adjust future initiatives based on that analysis.
Provide day-to-day management of the BD team based in Europe and Asia, including workload and resource management, guidance on approach with projects and Partners, and maintenance of team cohesion.
Ensure that the BD team is knowledgeable and trained on professional and technical matters. Ensure team is structured effectively to meet objectives.
Provide supportive coaching; set achievable, challenging team goals; develop skills of team members to ensure achievement of client service priorities.
Prepare timely, substantive, and strategically aligned performance evaluations.
Collaborate closely with global BD team and other business professionals to ensure seamless deployment of BD initiatives. Communicate clear expectations and provide regular updates on projects, as appropriate. Seek ways to work across regional and practice lines.
Collaborate closely with functional marketing specialists in public relations, marketing technology, events, CRM, etc. to ensure strong intradepartmental communication and client service.
Ideal Candidate
Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or JD preferred.
At least ten years of relevant experience in professional services marketing/BD, including experience managing a team of marketing/BD professionals.
Previous experience working in Europe (including the UK) or Asia in a legal BD role required. Experience in both regions strongly preferred.
Expert knowledge of core BD tools, programs, and principles.
Strong understanding of client needs and buyer profiles. Ability to communicate with clients directly, as appropriate.
Strong knowledge base to support key practice areas, including cross-border M&A, private equity, capital markets, venture capital, regulatory and direct investment matters, technology transactions, intellectual property licensing, litigation, outsourcing, and real estate, among others.
Who We Are
At Morrison Foerster, our culture is defined by our deeds. We’re passionate about what we do. We’re equally passionate about how we do it. We resist hierarchies and operate within a model of respect — for our colleagues, their ideas, and the differences that make us stronger. We encourage you to learn more about who we are , and what we do .
Should you find you’re ready to do the best work of your life, we encourage you to let us know!
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