Manager, Business Development - Americas International Trade and Global FDI

Firm Summary

White & Case is an elite global law firm serving leading companies, financial institutions, and governments worldwide. Our long history as an international firm means we are perfectly placed to help our clients resolve their most complex legal challenges wherever they may be.

With lawyers and staff operating from more than 47 locations, working in virtually every country of the world, we have invested heavily in building a high-quality full-service practice competing at the top of the market. We are distinguished by our on-the-ground presence in the world's key financial markets and our strengths in handling complex cross-border work.

It's not just about our global network of offices and shared services centers; it's the global interconnectedness of the Firm that our people, and our clients, value most. We work well together across geographic and practice boundaries. It's one of the reasons we attract and retain cross-border work.

Our lawyers are globally minded, enterprising, collaborative, and committed to excellence. Our people represent 90 nationalities and speak 80 languages.

Position Summary

The Business Development Manager - Americas International Trade will support the business development and marketing efforts of the International Trade Practice.

Responsibilities will include working directly with the relevant partner stakeholders to execute on business strategy and drive these practice area priorities, which are focused on strategic business development, client and industry initiatives, market position and brand recognition efforts, and practice group operations. This role will have also responsibility for assisting on certain practice development tasks such as monthly team meetings, materials maintenance and experience infrastructure.

You will also support our globally integrated Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) practice. This role will be instrumental in driving business development initiatives, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing our market presence in the rapidly evolving global FDI and CFIUS landscape.

Duties and Accountabilities¹

Business Development

• Provide strategic advice and day-to-day support on a range of Business Development priorities and ensure all Business Development activity is aligned to regional and global practice business plans
• Take a proactive lead role in pitches, proposals, and RFPs, capability statements and other marketing materials, using all firm tools and following firm protocols
• Strengthen the business development skills of the practice's lawyers and raise their awareness of the help the Business Development team can provide - especially in the areas of pitch support and client relationship development
• Devise and implement a range of targeting and cross-selling initiatives and campaigns
• Assist with onboarding lateral partners & counsel

Marketing Communications (Internal and External)

• Work with the Firm's Communications team to proactively suggest ideas to improve the profile and positioning of the practice group - both internally and externally
• Take a lead role in the drafting of certain submissions for legal directories (Chambers, Legal 500 and others) and award entries, coaching lawyers for directory interviews, providing feedback and reporting on rankings
• Supervise the preparation and maintenance of practice and lawyers on the Firm's website and bio tool system
• Supervise the maintenance of client mailing list updates for the group and enhancing the use of available social media platforms

Practice Development and Infrastructure

• Regular attention to practice development priorities such as experience database audits and ensuring the quality of information used for pitches and proposals
• Facilitate projects with the research team to assist in gathering quality information that can be leveraged for pitches and RFPs
• Take a lead role in regular auditing of credentials and website content, including use of awards, client quotes, etc. on website practice pages
• Manage regular meeting efforts, such as preparing agendas and presentations

Events

• Identify internal and external event opportunities (including sponsorship and speaking slots) and assess the value, relevance and cost/benefits of these profile-raising opportunities, and working with the partners to ensure maximum benefit is realized from each opportunity
• Cooperate with the Events team on business development-related aspects of events planning and organization, e.g., strategize on clients to be invited to high-end events and seminars, identifying speakers, etc.
• Develop a close working relationship with key organizations essential for successful event organization, sponsorships and business profiling of the Firm
• Work with the Marketing Technology team to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the CRM and other tools available, and promoting the use of these tools amongst lawyers in the sections

Budgeting, Pricing, and Metrics

• Tracking Business Development budget for the relevant practice areas and assist with information audits, reconciliation and budget planning

Key Responsibilities in Supporting Global FDI Practice

• Develop and implement business development strategies to expand our FDI and CFIUS practice
• Collaborate with 30+ lawyers and relevant BDMs across our global FDI team to coordinate cross-border business development efforts
• Work closely with senior leadership, including the Global FDI Lead (Washington, D.C.) and the Global FDI Coordinator (Paris) to drive the firm's strategic positioning in this space
• Support lawyers in identifying new client opportunities and deepening existing relationships
• Monitor global FDI regulatory trends and play a key role in developing thought leadership content

Qualifications

• Graduate with relevant and in-depth business development experience in a professional services firm
• At least five (5) years of marketing or relevant legal experience is desired, preferably in support of litigation, or other disputes practice areas
• Well-developed and professional interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with people at all levels of the Firm
• Strong communication, research, presentation and writing skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet frequent deadlines, interact with all levels of attorneys and staff, and be a self-starter
• Ability to work with partners and influence them
• Creative, organized and efficient, with the ability to manage time well, prioritize effectively and handle multiple deadlines
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion
• Fluency with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and excellent editing skills
• A team player with excellent communication skills - written and oral - and ability to work at all levels
• Excellent attention to detail
• Self-starter with ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Track record of delivering effective pitches and proposals
• Impactful and assertive
• Influencing and negotiating skills
• Flexible, committed and enthusiastic
• Exposure to client relationship management would be advantageous
• Good systems and database skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and CRM applications
• Client-focused approach
• Creative and strategic mindset
• Used to working in a fast-paced, international environment
• Timely and regular attendance

Location and Reporting

• This role is based in our Washington, D.C. office; occasional travel may be required.
• This role reports to the Senior Manager, Business Development - Global Antitrust/Competition.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies

Our internal Recruitment team are responsible for all end-to-end lateral recruitment processes. All agencies must sign White & Case terms of business, which are office specific. Candidates submitted by an agency without terms of business agreed with the appropriate office, and/or outside of our online application tracking system, will not be considered a formal introduction. Any applications and CVs sent directly to White & Case Partners and employees will not be accepted as formal introductions. If you have any questions, please contact the Americas Lateral Recruitment team.

Equal Opportunities

White & Case is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm's policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact talent.acquisition@whitecase.com.

Benefits at White & Case

White & Case LLP offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, 401(k) retirement savings, vacation time, and leave programs (including parental leave). Exempt roles are also performance bonus eligible.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

¹The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.