Client Development Manager

We are recruiting an experienced professional to join our recently formed and growing Client Development Team. The purpose of this team is to drive a culture of client development using best practice to supporting revenue and market growth, by means of a coordinated and focused approach, through our portfolio of Key Accounts, Strategic Industry Groups and Practice Groups.

The role will directly report to the Head of Client Development but will work in unison with our Partners, Sector Leads and Client Teams providing valuable guidance and the necessary support to help them best succeed in the market and help keep the firm connected and aligned around our strategic growth priorities.

The Role

Client development managers oversee efforts designed to nurture and expand current client relationships and establish new ones.

You will be part of a highly focused team of BD professionals including Pursuits & Bids and CRM specialists. You will also have the opportunity to gain experience from and collaborate with colleagues across the wider Business Services group (Marketing & Events, Strategic Communications, Finance, IT, etc.,)

In this role will allow you to build trusted working relationships with Partners and senior stakeholders both within ALG and in our client’s organisations, predominantly with their Procurement / Legal Ops teams.

The role requires the ability to operate at senior levels within the firm and contribute to the development of innovative ideas, design of programmes and solutions in line with our Client Development objectives.

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• Attaining a deep understanding of our clients' priorities, strategies and structures to ensure ALG is adding demonstrable value to its clients.
• Working closely with Partners and Client Teams on building a winning culture and environment around your assigned clients and targets to activate the account strategy and deliver mutual value.
• Supporting the firms Business Planning process, including Account Plans, Client Workshops, Feedback and relationship heatmaps etc., for your designated Key Accounts.
• Establishing and driving best in class Client development practices within your designated Industry and Key Account groups e.g., Practice Group collaboration, effective use of CRM and Data Analysis and best practice Account Management frameworks.
• Providing visibility on relevant industry news and events both within ALG and the sector more broadly.
• Bringing a rhythm to the account team / industry group, including chairing and facilitating weekly meetings related to client development activity and potential areas of opportunity.
• Joining the dots, networking and connecting people (internally and externally), contributing to knowledge sharing and community building while staying close to developments in the industry and the wider market.
• Driving a culture of feedback across the firm through client experience surveys, post decision reviews and Senior Partner client meetings.
• Being a CRM champion, advocate for its adoption and effective use, and support account teams with advice and assistance on best practices.

• Playing a key role in defining and implementing sector growth strategies, coordinating activities within the ALG Industry group and driving strategic topics and pursuits.

Skills, experience, and characteristics required

• Considerable experience in a business development role within a Law Firm or comparable complex service focused organisations.
• Strong knowledge of a sales methodology along with evidence of using in practice to drive opportunities through to revenue.
• Evidence of driving new business on key accounts or across an industry vertical.
• Demonstrate experience of setting account / sector strategies and building relationships with key decision makers
• A track record of generating revenue through new relationships, and commercial acumen, understanding and driving client / sector value propositions.
• Evidence of working on cross-functional projects.
• Ability to manage multiple senior stakeholders.

• Good understanding of data and data analytics models and active problem-solving abilities
• Target driven mind-set.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

• Experience in adapting to working in highly structured processes while seeking out improvements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills is key.
• Effective planning & project management.

Remuneration

• Competitive remuneration package available.

The firm

A&L Goodbody (ALG) is a leading Irish law firm with five international offices in Dublin, Belfast, London, New York and San Francisco. There are currently 116 partners and over 900 employees. The strong international and domestic business community in Ireland forms a valuable part of the ALG client base. ALG is incredibly proud to be recognised as the leading Irish law firm in the Chambers and Partners Europe 2024 Guide with the highest number of Band 1 practice area rankings. ALG is also ranked as a 'top tier' law firm in The Legal 500 EMEA Guide 2024 and the IFLR1000 Guide 2023. The firm is consistently ranked number one in the Irish market and on a European level.

A sample of other recent notable awards include:

• Awarded the Investors in Diversity Silver Mark in 2024 by the Irish Centre for Diversity
• Most Popular Graduate Recruiter in Law 2024 by GradIreland (for 13 consecutive years)
• Law firm of the year – Republic of Ireland 2023 at The Lawyer European Awards
• Irish Law Firm of the Year 2023 at the Chambers Europe Awards
• One of the top 50 most innovative law firms in Europe 2023 by the Financial Times
• Future of Legal Services Innovation Award winners 2024
• Best client support 2023 by the Managing Partners Forum
• Business Working Responsibly Mark 2023
• Ireland's top 25 best places to work by LinkedIn's Top Companies list for 2022

ALG has a reputation for leading the way in continuously developing its service to clients and internally to its business. This is delivered through the use of new processes, ways of working, innovative use of technology and marketing-leading business service teams.

If you are interested in the above role or require any further information please contact Rory Sullivan, Talent Management Generalist, directly at rsullivan@algoodbody.com