Business Development Specialist, M&A and Private Equity

Cleary Gottlieb’s European corporate practice is consistently ranked among the top five legal advisors for public and private M&A globally and are recognized as being one of the leading firms for corporate/M&A work across Europe and globally.

We are highly sought-after for advice on complex, high-end, multi-jurisdictional private equity matters and large-scale cross border acquisition. Our mandates include a varied range of investments, from leveraged buyouts to consortium deals, private co-investments and minority investments. Our team is developing niche expertise in the execution of “hybrid” transactions, including secondaries and special situations transactions alongside Cleary Gottlieb’s market-leading global funds team.

Purpose:

This role is to support business development and client development activities for the EMEA M&A and EMEA Private Equity practice groups. The role reports to the EMEA Business Development Managers for these practice groups.

• Prepare pitches.
• Be responsible for all standard materials (credentials, pitches, bios etc.).
• Carry out research, including on competitors, clients, markets.
• Compile local and pan-European legal directory and award submissions.
• Facilitate communication between partners within practices, industry groups or offices.
• Identify and communicate new business opportunities.
• Support cross-selling initiatives.
• Support implementation of Practice Group plans.
• Contribute to pan-European business development projects.
• Organize events.

Major Tasks:

Practice Support:

• Provide support to partners and lawyers in these practice groups.
• Support the BD Manager in executing the Practice Group plan.
• Develop and maintain and update key messages, marketing materials, standard slides, credentials, pitch materials and bios for the group.
• Support the analysis and tracking of key clients and targets.
• Support cross-selling efforts.
• Compile local and pan-European legal directory and award submissions.
• Assist in the organisation of partner meetings, including preparing agendas, documenting actions and following-up on actions agreed.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications teams on profile raising and thought-leadership initiatives for key practices and sectors.
• Organize and prepare materials for internal practice or industry group meetings.

Pitch Support:

• Prepare credentials and pitches, tailoring materials for individual clients.
• Track, store and produce standard text and materials for pitches and bios.
• Ensure consistency of pitch material and seek improvements in quality.
• Support client presentations.

Client Relationship Management:

• Keep partners informed of developments at key clients. 
• Carry out research on clients, people and markets working together with the Global Competitive Research Team.
• Manage data held on key clients, especially in Microsoft Dynamics.

Client Events:

• Create invitee lists by liaising with the team and lawyers.
• Create project plan for event.
• Assist with reporting.

Marketing and Communication:

• Work with PR/Media team on the promotion of publications/client reports.
• Oversee contact lists and mailing lists for key clients and practices.
• Support on promotion via social media channels.

Skills and Competencies:

Education/Experience:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• A minimum of three years’ business development experience in an international law firm or professional services environment.

Skills:

• General knowledge of business and financial markets, with a particular interest in M&A and PE.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Excellent analytical and research skills; and the ability to process information from a wide variety of sources.
• Strong team player, fostering collaborative environments and contributing to collective success.
• Ability to effectively communicate, interact and build relationships at all levels.
• Proven capability to build working relationships across various functions, ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment of business strategies.
• Excellent time management skills – ability to manage multiple responsibilities amid competing priorities, tight deadlines, and changing business demands and opportunities.
• Organized and methodical approach to problem solving and decision making.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a dynamic, multicultural environment with diverse personalities at all levels.
• Professional manner, consistently demonstrating the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work cross-functionally and across borders, embracing diverse challenges and opportunities.
• Proactive in showing initiative, bringing forth innovative ideas, and possessing the ability to persuade and gain buy-in from key internal stakeholders.
• Strong computer skills with various Microsoft programs (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

If you are interested in applying, please submit a CV and short cover letter to the London Human Resources Team, LON-HR@cgsh.com.