Client Relations & Business Development Specialist

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s largest and most successful law firms, has an immediate opening for a Client Relations & Business Development Specialist to join the Client Relations & Marketing team in the Toronto office. 

Reporting to a Director, Client Relations & Business Development, the successful candidate is responsible for assisting with the development of short- and long-term marketing plans, supporting the implementation of strategies and working to sustain practice group focus on marketing initiatives.

Primary responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

  • Assisting the legal professionals in identifying and evaluating new business opportunities and targets, facilitating cross selling initiatives, and participating on client teams
  • Leading the development of practice group submissions to approved ranking services and directories, coordinating input from lawyers while ensuring timely and robust submissions based on the strategic direction of the Director and Firm management; this includes facilitating interviews and maintaining databases of deal submissions, awards and rankings information

  • Assisting practice group lawyers in obtaining information regarding potential clients or markets, market developments and competitor activities; and developing a system for tracking action on leads and BD progress by legal professionals and by target

  • Working with practice group lawyers and the Proposal team to respond to RFPs and other documentation requests from the legal professionals and clients

  • Overseeing the planning, development and implementation of practice group seminars and symposia

  • Working with practice group leaders to develop and disseminate promotional or substantive materials, ensuring the effective use of marketing-related information

  • Assisting in the preparation of the practice group’s marketing budget, developing and implementing methods to track the effectiveness of marketing initiatives and reconciling variance and general ledger reports.

  • Assisting the legal professionals in the development and execution of business plans for both the practice group and its individual lawyers

  • Acting as the point of contact for relevant associations.

  • Evaluating and coordinating sponsorship opportunities, and working with internal stakeholders to maximize the investment; this includes tracking lawyer speaking engagements and conference attendance, and providing support as required in preparing for these engagements

Qualifications:

Education/Experience

  • University degree or college diploma in business/marketing (or equivalent) is required

  • Five to eight years of business development and marketing experience in a professional services firm

Skills/Abilities:

  • Knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, Word, CMS and InterAction

  • Sound judgment and strong client-service orientation

  • Solid business acumen and understanding of law-firm operations and environment

  • Strong attention to detail

  • Excellent communication (written and verbal), organizational, time management and multi-tasking skills

  • Good interpersonal skills; and patience, tact and confidence

  • Ability to work as part of a team

  • Ability to adapt to multiple areas of law and various demands


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