Senior Business Development Executive (Maritime)

Watson Farley & Williams is an international law firm advising on complex disputes and transactions through local knowledge and an integrated international network.  We have a strong sector focus, combining our technical excellence with deep industry knowledge across Energy, Transport and associated Infrastructure.

The firm has achieved rapid expansion and year-on-year growth owed almost entirely to a focused strategy, strong leadership and the quality of its people.  The next stage in the firm’s growth plan is to achieve full-service strength within core sectors across the global platform.

We strive for excellence in all that we do and view investment in our people as key to achieving our business goals and values, which rest on developing deep and long-lasting relationships externally and internally through respect, sharing, communication and integrity.

Our global practice is integrated across our offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America delivering consistently high levels of service across borders and locally through a deep understanding of local business customs and culture.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace to attract and retain the most talented people from all backgrounds and cultures.  We believe in celebrating difference and that people from any background can rise to the top, ensuring opportunities to develop and progress are available for all.

Global Business Development and Communications comprises over 50 business development, marketing and communications professionals based across the jurisdictions where we have an office.  As our route to market is through our global sectors and our clients are international, team members regularly collaborate to deliver cross-border campaigns and global projects. It is a close-knit and very supportive team with an excellent reputation across the firm.

The role will require a self-motivated person who will work with a Business Development Manager in the management of existing client relationships and the development of new business opportunities across the global Maritime sector.

WFW has the largest dedicated maritime legal practice in the world.  This role will be a key part of the London Transport Business Development team and one which shapes the strategy for our market leading Maritime sector, including supporting our associated ground-breaking thought leadership projects and associated marketing campaigns.  Examples of the high-profile projects we’ve worked on recently include the award-winning maritime report The Sustainability Imperative, our annual Oslo business development event in Norway, and our popular Women in Transport event (shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding in DE&I’ award at the Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Awards in 2024).

The successful candidate will have strong leadership from our Maritime Business Development Manager and excellent support from our Business Development Assistant, as well as a team of Legal PAs who support the Maritime partners on a range of administrative tasks and document production. Though focused on the London Maritime group, this role will work closely with Maritime partners and Business Development colleagues globally on a regular basis.

Hermione Cox, Business Development Manager

• Assisting in drafting and implementing business development and marketing plans for the Maritime sector. 
• Assisting with the development and implementation of campaigns to grow new and existing business.
• Working with the Business Development Managers to support the global maritime sector head with business development initiatives.
• Preparing marketing collateral and supporting documentation ahead of client/prospect meetings including pitch documentation and credentials statements.
• Project managing and drafting Maritime directory submissions, league tables and awards.
• Coordinating events (in conjunction with the events team) and conference attendance to develop/maintain market positions matched to the business strategy and generate leads for the practice.
• Capturing and reviewing deal and pitch content ensuring information is available on all global databases.
• Championing the use of digital platforms and social media to raise the profile of our lawyers, key initiatives and the firm, including promoting engagement with social media and drafting sector specific social media posts. 
• Playing an active role in training, mentoring and developing the skills of the team’s Business Development Executive and Business Development Assistant.
• Liaising, and working, with other members of the global Business Development & Communications team as well as other Business Functions (e.g. Finance/Knowledge Management) to improve the co-ordination and delivery of initiatives across the firm, adding value to the business as well as our clients.
• Developing, championing and implementing Business Development projects and systems as appropriate.

• 4+ years' Business Development experience.
• Experience in pitch and credentials development.
• Ability to understand product, sector and service development issues.

• The ability to work effectively with, and influence, partners and other key stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• The ability to manage and prioritise multiple projects running in parallel with tight deadlines.
• Excellent written communication and editing skills with the ability to write accurate, concise and persuasive text.
• A positive role model who meets new challenges with a constructive and open mind and shows enthusiasm for new opportunities and ideas.
• A team player who is confident sharing information across a broader team

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.

The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated.

Respect for different backgrounds and perspectives is at the heart of our firm’s core values and we recognise the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential. This is a key feature of our Global Code of Conduct, which places diversity and inclusion at the centre of our firm’s ways of working.

We believe that exceptional client service can only be delivered by exceptional people. For this reason, we aim to attract, retain and develop the best talent from a wide range of backgrounds. All decisions relating to employment will be objective and based on merit and ability.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are as inclusive and barrier-free as possible. This includes making adjustments for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition.  If you require adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, we’d encourage you to get in touch with a member of our team who would be happy to discuss options with you.