Marketing Manager - Pitches & Proposals

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Department Purpose and Structure The U.S. Marketing & Business Development team (U.S. MKT Team) is a sophisticated group of experienced professionals charged with guiding the Firm’s fee earners to grow U.S. and global revenues, expand existing client relationships and strategically tackle new client pursuits.

This is a team that is all-in. As business professionals at one of the largest law firms in the world, the U.S. MKT Team thrives on market challenges and outside-the-box thinking. It is a team where fresh ideas are not only entertained, they’re encouraged.

Role Purpose The Marketing Manager – Pitches & Proposals (Proposals Manager) will serve as a centralized resource to the U.S. Marketing & Business Development team leading or coordinating the firm’s responses to high-profile and preferred provider RFPs, as well as cross practice group pitches. The Proposals Manager will collaborate with BD managers, partners, and other fee earners to develop clear, compelling, and winning proposals.

Key Relationships Director, Marketing Strategy & Operations (based in New York)

Marketing Manager, Pitches & Proposals (based in Los Angeles)

Global Head of Pitching (based in London)

Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer (CMBDO) – Americas (based in New York)

U.S. business development team

Partners and other fee earners, including practice group leaders and sector leaders

Global and proposals team; including Regional panel managers (APAC, EMEA)

Other business support teams throughout the firm, including US & global pricing, BAU (in-house legal), Legal Innovation/Advanced Delivery & Solutions, research among others

Context This role involves acting as a reliable point of contact as it relates to the Marketing - Pitches & Proposals function. The Marketing Manager function is crucial to the day-to-day success of the business and this individual will play an essential part in this model.

Role and Responsibilities Manage formal proposal responses from start to finish including determining requirements, organizing and leading meetings/calls, shaping strategy and messaging, assigning responsibilities, compiling information, drafting and reviewing content, ensuring on-time delivery, coaching pitch teams, and following up on the outcome.

Continuously review, refine, and improve the firm’s proposal process.

Develop competitive strategies, prepare and debrief the interview team.

Draft and present reports that summarize activity, success rates, and identify win/loss themes.

Support the U.S. business development team in their pitch activity by helping shape messages, providing best practices and training.

Collaborate with the firm’s global pitch community to ensure new global programs, systems and processes are implemented to help drive innovation and efficiencies.

Team This position reports directly to the Director, Marketing Strategy & Operations but also works closely with other members of staff, including but not limited to the wider BD team, HR, Finance etc.

Key Requirements Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience leading and advising on successful cross-border/complex pitches and proposals in a legal or professional services environment.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong attention to detail.

Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think creatively to work through complex issues successfully.

Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills—with partners, key associates, business development colleagues, clients, and suppliers, including selling concepts and presenting to senior management.

Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively while working on multiple conflicting deadlines.

Team player with aptitude to build relationships and work with stakeholders both internally and externally.

Knowledge of global financial and business markets and enthusiasm to develop an in-depth understanding of markets in which the firm operates.

Strong knowledge of MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced business development professional working closely with an energetic group of people, in a busy law firm environment. We are looking for an individual who is proactive, persistent, committed to “getting the job done,” and a supportive colleague. This role is open to our New York, Boston, Washington D.C., or Houston office. For individuals assigned to or hired for this opportunity in New York, the estimated annualized base salary range for this position is $142,000-$194,000, for Boston, $120,000 - $160,000, for Washington D.C., $133,000 - $176,000, and for Houston $120,000 - $160,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on the overall qualifications of the individual applicant for the position and other job-related factors permitted by law. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes a discretionary bonus, paid leave, life, health, accident, and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.