Associate Director, Corporate: M&A - Global

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

The Role

Clifford Chance has an ambitious global strategy which puts clients at the very heart of everything the Firm does. The Business Development ("BD") function is pivotal in making the Firm strategy a reality. BD teams collaborate strategically with partners, lawyers and other business professional functions to drive sustainable growth. The BD function supports conversion of key client and market opportunities through the development and delivery of targeted business development and marketing plans.

This role is part of a global BD team supporting our Corporate Global Business Unit, with a primary responsibility for Corporate/M&A, which spans private and public company M&A, Joint Ventures, Carve-outs, Strategic Alliances and Corporate Governance/Advisory work across a broad range of sectors globally. The role-holder will also be the primary point person for the Americas Corporate RPAL/s.

This role collaborates closely with the fee-earning population globally to support identification, pursuit and winning of revenue generating opportunities. It connects Partners and lawyers to the full spectrum of BD services and expertise available across the global function.

This role works alongside counterparts in the other regions, as well as being a key member of the BD community in the Americas.

Purpose of Role

• You will play a pivotal role in shaping and driving a growth strategy for our Corporate/M&A product offering.
• You will work with relevant partners, the wider Corporate Practice partnership and CMD team to join the dots, drive collaborative growth and broaden client relationships.
• You will be the primary on-the-ground CMD interface and point of escalation for the Americas Practice Area Leader (RPAL) for Corporate. You will support the RPAL and the partner group to define BD objectives and priorities, working closely with regional BD colleagues covering the full spectrum of different product groups within Corporate.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Implementation

• Establish and oversee the development and implementation of business development and marketing plans, ensuring alignment with firmwide strategy.
• Track progress against plans and refine approach accordingly to achieve over-arching goals, evaluating ROI on a periodic basis.
• Commission in-depth research on regional product and market trends, clients, prospects, and competitors to inform strategic marketing decisions.
• Oversee and manage the quality of output, ensuring Partner expectations are being met.

Client and Market Development

• Acts as the primary contact for information about the product offering, and related global and regional BD and marketing activities and campaigns.
• Facilitate the flow of information to drive collaboration and cross-selling of client relationships and products across practice.
• Support cross-product panel RFPs including facilitating "go/no go" decisions (working with our Global Proposals Team); and work on must-win cross-border proposals (as needed), with a focus
• Oversee and help with client targeting exercises and maintain oversight of priority clients and prospects.
• Embed a strong culture around client listening.
• Ensure relevant global marketing materials (standard pitch content, master capability statements, etc) are up to date and fit for purpose.

Marketing and Reputation Building

• Work closely with partners, the regional BCM team and knowledge team to identify and build successful marketing campaigns and thought leadership pieces.
• Work on key region-wide directory submissions for the product area as needed, with the support of our central directories support team.

Team Leadership

• Future line management responsibility for a global BD & Marketing team that supports the above product areas in each region.

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $290,000 - $350,000. The actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

Your experience

• Extensive experience in business development, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful business development and marketing strategies and initiatives
• Excellent relationship-building skills, in particular ability to develop advisory relationships with Partners
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Strong technical proficiency and familiarity with tools like CRM
• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, law, or related field. An MBA or similar advanced degree is preferred

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society. 

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here

#LI-Hybrid