Senior Research Coordinator – Business Development - Johannesburg at Bowmans (Law Firm)

Purpose:

A Senior Research and Analysis content production and coordination role that involves overseeing and working with the Head of Intelligence to lead important business development research and analysis for the firm, across client, sector, market, country, competitor, and other topics, with the goal of winning new business or improving the brand of the firm.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Completed Degree/Diploma in a relevant field required.
• 3-5 years’ experience in research and/or business development role within a corporate, legal or professional services environment essential.
• Strong MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint and other data analysis and communication technical skills.
• PowerBI abilities an advantage.

Key Accountabilities:

Research

Undertaking research

• Undertake firm-wide research related to existing Bowmans clients, prospective clients, sectors, geographies, markets, trends, competitors and any other area of interest which may be relevant to identifying business development opportunities and informing business development decisions.
• Use internal and external sources of data collection as part of the research methodology, as appropriate.
• Ensure reputable data collection sources are used, so that research conducted is credible and reliable.

Analysis and insights: Reporting and Presentation 

• Following the collection of relevant data from research undertaken, lead the analysis of collected data to derive meaningful insights and trends.
• Present in writing and verbally insights, trends and opportunities spotted that may be relevant to the research question, to various stakeholders in the firm as may be necessary.
• Ensure that insights, trends and opportunities (complex information) are/is synthesized and communicated in a clear and understandable manner for both technical and non-technical audiences, and shortened into executive summaries, graphs or a single page synopsis if required.
• The types of research questions which may arise, include but are not limited to: Providing ad hoc research support to fee earners as well as fellow Business Development and Marketing team members; Analysing financial data to determine the Group’s Top Clients, per Office, Region, Department, Practice Group and Sectors and reports on fee trends from year to year; Providing support to the Business Development and Marketing team by contributing research insights for proposals, pitches, client briefs etc.; and performing competitor analysis in order to identify competitors and compare their offering to ours.

Maintenance of a central research repository

• Ensure all research conducted is retained in the business development central repository and can be found by other members of the business development team as and when needed.

Sharing knowledge

• Keep abreast of economic, political and industry developments and trends that have an effect/ impact on our client’s businesses.
• Share trends and client / sector / geographic / competitor / business intelligence with the appropriate business development or legal teams as may be relevant and appropriate in the circumstances.

Management of research tools and training 

• Manage the research tools which the Business Development team subscribes to, together with the Head of Intelligence, to ensure our tools are tracked, annually paid, usage is maximized, staff are trained and ultimately the firm obtains maximum usage of any paid for research tools.
• Track research requests made to the business development team, and the use by lawyers of the research provided.
• Provide or facilitate training in relation to research or research tools, as may be needed by the business, including training related to the internal and external systems of the firm which may be used as data sources for research, as may be appropriate

Solution Implementation

In addition to senior research deliverables, proactively driving purposeful, impactful internal collaboration and client engagement. This includes:

• Collaboration with client partners to develop and implement client plans and strategies and monitor success.
• Providing support with driving client initiatives forward, working with partners and teams across the firm to achieve results.
• Providing support with compiling client reports.
• Identify pipelines opportunities, including cross-selling opportunities.
• Working with the new business team in strategically managing pitches and panel renewal procedures.
• Working closely with the wider team across the firm’s business services functions to monitor performance of all client initiatives.
• Promoting and facilitating the sharing of client insights and intelligence with client teams.
• Being the 'centre of BD information' by maintaining a deep connection and collaboration with client teams and anticipate key client priorities and future themes and opportunities
• Database Maintenance System
• Assist with maintaining database performance and functionality by ensuring efficient execution of stored procedures
• Assist with creating and maintaining database queries, timeously and accurately
• Assist with defining the authorization matrix for all users.

Project Management

• Mange multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring that timelines and deliverables are met.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals.

Training & Development

• Provide research skill mentorship and training to junior or other members of the business development team, or the firm, as may be required.
• Foster a learning environment that encourages professional development.

Relationship Building

• Interact with clients, internal stakeholders, or external partners to understand their research needs and expectations.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including but not limited to all lawyers, partners, and senior leadership within the firm.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with the members of the business development team, particularly those within the Relationship pillar (business development managers and coordinators who work closely with the lawyers and often receive the research requests directly).
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with and have open and transparent communication between all other members of the broader Business Development and Marketing team.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with external vendors to ensure service delivery of a high quality.

Financial Administration

• Monitor and assist with the budget for the research tools used by the business development team, within the Intelligence pillar of the team.

Competencies

• Be curious - understand the wider world and be curious and interested in piecing information together.
• Achievement Orientation
• Adaptability
• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Client focus
• Creativity and innovation
• Initiative
• Interactive Communication
• Problem Solving
• Relationship Building
• Self Confidence
• Strategic Thinking
• Stress Management
• Teamwork
• Business Perspective
• Financial Budgeting,
• Planning and Reporting
• Project Management.