Job Detail

Description

Baker McKenzie helps clients overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. We solve complex legal problems across borders and practice areas. Our unique culture, developed over 65 years, enables our people to understand local markets and navigate multiple jurisdictions, working together as trusted colleagues and friends to instill confidence in our clients. This is an exciting time to join us as we invest in and further develop our Professional & Business Services organisation, providing rewarding and challenging career opportunities in all of our world-class business functions.

We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people -regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfil their professional aspirations with us.

In order to extend our local Business Development department we are looking for an experienced and motivated:

Switzerland Business Development, Marketing and Communications Director

The role has a strong emphasis on a proactive and innovative approach to drive results at a senior level, with a particular focus on the following areas:

In-market BDMC team leadership

• Lead, develop and motivate the in-market BDMC team for the Swiss offices; ensure the team members understand their role in the new operating model and work collaboratively with colleagues in other parts of the function to deliver excellent service.


• Promote market-led and client-focused approaches to business development and marketing; ensure our thinking is grounded in client-needs and competitive context; challenge constructively when this is not the case.


• Develop the overall business development and marketing plan for the integrated Swiss offices, ensuring it is aligned to the business plans of each Practice Group regionally and globally.


• Work with BDMC leadership in EMEA to ensure that the overall BDMC function is delivering against 'the plan' for the Swiss offices, including: client development, marketing campaigns, PR and profile raising, major events and seminars, online marketing and internal communications.


• Communicate local office needs and demands to expert functions and end-to-end services and ensure we collaborate with them on final service delivery.


• Assume overall responsibility for the quality of service provided to the Swiss offices.


• Full budget management responsibility for the Switzerland BDMC unit; ensure that all BDMC initiatives are effectively coordinated to extract maximum return on investment.

Local and Firm Client Programs Strategy

• Drive the Switzerland growth strategy by developing an in-depth understanding of the client base and its industry footprint within the Switzerland Key Client (SKC) Program, the EMEA Client Program and the Firm's Industry Key Client (IKC) Program.


• Act as central point of contact for lawyers' requests regarding clients / targets of the SKC Program, the EMEA Client Program and the IKC Program in order to drive client development activities and strengthen our relationships with these clients / targets, including:
  
  
  
  • Working closely with the relevant Client Relationship Team, create, implement and drive targeted client business development and relationship management plans designed to maintain and increase revenue; research information, gain and use market intelligence relevant to the targeted group of core clients and their businesses, identify issues likely to impact upon the clients requirements for legal services and recommend business development activities likely to capitalize on such requirements.
  
  
  • Working with relevant partners, develop and maintain close relationships with individual representatives of the targeted group of core clients. Using those client interactions, identify any issues likely to be relevant from a business development perspective.
  
  
  • Ensure that targeted core clients benefit from a client feedback review. Using the intelligence gained during such reviews, work to address any issues identified with service delivery and follow up on any request for further information about the Firm’s capabilities.
  
  

Proposals

• Full support on complex pitches and selling opportunities, in close collaboration with the entire Swiss BDMC team and other BDMC units within the Firm, mainly focussing on targeted group of core clients in the SKC, EMEA Client and IKC Program. This might include the development of specific key messages, production of pitch documentation, development of innovative fee proposals, coaching and constructively challenging teams, dry-running proposal presentations and gathering feedback as appropriate.

General BDMC support

• Taking over other duties to develop, drive and growth the business of the integrated Swiss offices like client management, client targeting activities, client reviews and feedbacks and pricing support.

We are looking for a motivated talent, who brings along the following background and can identify with it:

Qualification and Skills

• Significant experience (7+ years) of leadership in a marketing and/or business development role, preferably in a professional services environment.


• Master's degree or other qualifications focusing on Business Development, Marketing, Communications, Sales or related commercial subjects.


• Experience working with senior stakeholders and developing relationships with them.


• Excellent oral and written communication skills, both in English and German.


• Ability to effectively manage competing priorities.


• Strong judgment and ability to make well-reasoned independent decisions.

Know how

• Keeps across key developments in all relevant areas and demonstrates the ability to develop substantive authority in relation to the Firm's specialist fields.


• Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distils a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner.


• Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis.

Dedication

• Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards.


• Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is self-reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible.


• Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands.


• Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations.

Personal Impact

• Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity.


• Negotiates to achieve outcomes that are mutually satisfactory; shows good judgement on when to stand strong and when to compromise.


• Invests in, nurtures and builds a network of productive relationships.

Humanity

• Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent.


• Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people.


• Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion

Travel requirements: This role will require regular travel within Switzerland and occasional trips to EMEA locations for regional meetings.

Regions

• Europe, Middle East and Africa

Locations

• Switzerland

Offices

• Zurich

Contacts

• Sara Fornasiero

  HR Specialist+41 44 384 15 51