Head of Marketing & Business Development- DLA Piper, Dubai
THE OPPORTUNITY
DLA Piper, a global law firm, with a footprint across 40 countries, where customer centricity and excellence are integral parts of how we do business. Having established our presence in the Middle East in 2005, we have grown to become one of the largest full-service global law firms in the region. With over 100 lawyers in the region, we are the only international law firm with an on-the-ground presence and/or very strong connections in all Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
As trusted legal advisers to some of the world’s most recognised global brands, in addition to the region’s leading companies and government departments, we work collaboratively across borders to provide our clients with a seamless integrated service. That service is underpinned by commercial insight, deep industry knowledge and cutting-edge legal solutions. With dedicated and locally entrenched lawyers and business services professionals across our offices, we are able to quickly mobilise resources across the region to fulfil our clients' multi-jurisdictional needs with true local market knowledge wherever they operate in the region.
This role provides a rare opportunity for a talented, driven and commercially astute marketing and business development expert to undertake both a regional Marketing & Business Development (MBD) leadership role as well as contributing, as a senior member of the International MBD leadership team, to firm-wide MBD strategies and initiatives.
In addition to the above, the purpose of the role is to:
ensure Marketing and Business Development (MBD) activities are being delivered in each Middle East Country and Practice Group and where relevant global Sector, in line with the Middle East strategy and in support of the firm’s overall strategy;
ensure Middle East MBD supports the global client and sector strategy: driving our approach to our most significant client relationships, aligning to our global sectors and following the firm’s client management methodology;
act as trusted business adviser to the Middle East leadership team including the Middle East Regional Managing Partner, Middle East Office Managing Partners (OMPs) and Regional Practice Group Location Heads (LHs) and his/her respective partner teams;
provide leadership to the MBD professionals in the Middle East, drawing on the International MBD Specialist and Global Services teams, to deliver timely local services of high value and relevance; and
be accountable for the delivery of a responsive, efficient, and business-aligned MBD service across the region, ensuring that central and local colleagues work effectively together.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead the marketing team in the Middle East in collaboration with the appropriate specialists, to communicate and champion the MBD strategy, acting as a change agent and key influencer in its delivery;
Operate as a trusted business advisor to the Regional Managing Partner, serving as a confidential sounding board on strategic and operational MBD matters, and as a coach in handling sensitive MBD issues;
Ensure that Local MBD activities, policies and projects are aligned to the International MBD vision, and to the strategy of the firm;
Collaborate closely with other Functional Business Partners for the Middle East, and with peers across the International MBD Leadership Team, to ensure that holistic and integrated business services are delivered;
Consult regularly with Middle East partners and other key stakeholders to review regional MBD service levels, and effective operation of the International MBD operating model;
Prepare and proactively monitor the Middle East MBD budget, in the context of the overall international MBD budget;
Lead and manage the MBD aspects of new market entry and/or market exits and or office openings or closures;
Lead and manage the Middle East team, including recruitment and ensuring that the appropriate resources are in place to meet the business needs (in conjunction with the central resources).
Specific duties will include:
The design and delivery of the overall Middle East MBD plan, taking into account practice groups, sectors and geographies, ensuring they are aligned to the wider International MBD plan and support the business strategy for the Middle East and the relevant Countries, Groups and Sectors;
Managing and developing the Middle East MBD team. Maintaining professional development, driving continuous improvement and raising the strategic capability of the team. Role modelling excellence in leadership and people management;
Providing strategic advice to business leaders on all MBD-related issues;
Developing and maintaining constructive working relationships between MBD and the business, influencing current and emerging central MBD strategy and policy to deliver business results.
Providing a business voice within the MBD community, ensuring that issues which affect the business are duly considered;
Working with those in partnership and client management roles to develop their capabilities in all aspects of business development;
Building the brand and profile of the firm in the Middle East in line with regional priorities and the firmwide strategic plan;
Development of targeted programmes to drive improvement across key specialist areas (pitch, PR and communications, client strategy, directories and awards, events etc.);
Analysing, tracking and reporting progress against the MBD plan using a range of diagnostic techniques, robust KPIs and industry benchmark data;
Using organisational design methodologies to ensure the organisation structure and work processes are fit for purpose;
Ownership for implementation of all international MBD processes at the regional level.
ABOUT YOU
We pride ourselves on having a collegiate environment and we are looking for down-to-earth but confident candidates with future leadership potential.
The successful candidate will:
have experience working within a marketing or business development role within a professional services organisation at a senior level;
have a track record in delivering effective MBD solutions across a breadth of MBD areas in international, complex and matrix management environments, with proven operational results and project management skills;
have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal;
be able to think strategically and creatively, balancing this with deep analytical and numeracy skills;
possess a high level of commercial acumen and analytical skills;
be a self-starter, who is able to work on their own initiative as well as being part of a team, and has a strong client service orientation;
be comfortable operating in sometimes ambiguous situations, working across time zones and demonstrating a flexible and collaborative personal working style;
have deep experience in managing a team across multiple geographies and cultures with specific experience of managing and developing senior team members;
have the interpersonal skills and leadership experience to deliver effectively through others, in a virtual team management context;
be able to build and maintain strong relationships both within and outside the firm, acting as an effective brand ambassador for DLA Piper, and an internal change agent;
have strong coaching, counselling and consulting skills, coupled with the ability to influence, negotiate and persuade;
be sensitive and courageous in challenging the status quo;
exhibit cultural curiosity and competence;
have a sound understanding of contemporary MBD practices;
be comfortable multi-tasking and working to sometimes conflicting timescales and multiple priorities and time zones in a robust and fast-paced environment;
be financially literate and familiar with budget management, and technologically savvy, including a good working knowledge of IT tools;
be educated to at least first degree level and ideally a post-graduate qualification.
Experience in the Middle East is not essential however will be viewed favourably.
Apply Here:
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