Background:

Deacons is Hong Kong's own world-class law firm, providing an extensive range of legal services to local and international corporations. With over 165 years of experience in providing legal services, our clients are assured of the integrity and stability of one of the region's oldest and most respected law firms. 

Scope: 

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic business development (BD) professional to support our Financial Services/Investment Funds group, our leading registered funds practice, in Hong Kong. Working closely with partners and other key members of the team, you will play a fundamental role in delivering the marketing and BD strategy and will be expected to co-ordinate and advise on all related marketing and BD activities.

As the largest investment funds team in Hong Kong, we act for the lion’s share of international and local asset managers. Our work on registered funds is unmatched, and we also have exceptional experience across the full range of alternative investment funds. Our regulatory practice is enhanced by the strength of our local knowledge and our close links to Hong Kong’s SFC, and we are well known for “market firsts” – assisting clients in bringing new and innovative products to the market. According to independent research, we act for 90% of the top 20 investment fund houses in the Asia Pacific region (by assets under management), and for 9 of the 10 fastest-growing.  

It would be beneficial if the candidate possesses an understanding of the Investment Funds and asset management market, our competition, and the client base, so as to help identify cross-selling opportunities and tailor advice.Commercial acumen is important. 

The successful candidate will report to the Senior Manager Business Developmentand work closely with the wider BD team in order to deliver integrated marketing solutions. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Key client activities:

• Support the development of key client relationships, working with partners to identify potential growth clients. 
• Undertake research and analysis of clients and markets to assist business development activities for new business meetings (including international aspects). 
• Keep abreast of client and industry issues to enable proactive identification of business opportunities. 
• Support cross-selling opportunities with practice groups and partners, connecting the dots between clients’ business needs and firm’s offering. 

• Assist in maintaining and enriching contact information through our firm-wide CRM (InterAction).

Pitches, proposals and tenders:

• Work with Financial Services partners and other legal teams, in accordance with the pitch process, developing key messages for pitches and other promotional documents.
• Updateand maintain pitch support material for the Financial Services group, including capability statements, professional profiles and other content.
• Ensure records of deal highlights are captured, enhance and categorised accordingly.
• Ensure pitch protocols are followed across the practice group.

PR, marketing communications and events:

• Work with the Partners and the Business Development team on Financial Services-related media and PR opportunities. 
• Support production and development of internal and external updates, including website content and other legal publications. 
• Handle legal directory submissions process including liaising with the Marketing & Communications team and the relevant legal publications, managing deadlines, preparing first drafts ofentries/submissions and submissions for other surveys and awards.
• Plan and supportseminars and events, external conferences, client meetings and client entertainment, and liaising with the events team where necessary.
• Post-conference support including maintenance of conference programmes and delegate information, capturing data on potential contacts and follow-up.   
• Identify relevant networking and sponsorship opportunities for partners and associates.

Process improvement:

• Contribute ideas to setting up and improving processes and systems within the team and take responsibility for such projects. 
• Ensure suggested marketing and BD activities reflect best return on investment for the team.

Requirements:

This key role requires resilience, pro-activity and a “Can do” attitude in order to deliver results. This is a busy, dynamic and energetic team. As such, the successful candidate must have proven project management skills and the ability to balance competing deadlines and work collaboratively with multiple teams. 

• Degree educated
• 6+ years’marketing or business development experience
• Fluent English language speaking and writing skills are required
• Cantonese/Mandarin spoken language skills, and simplified/traditional Chinese writing skills are desirable
• Investment funds knowledge and passion would be an advantage
• Strong leadership skills, excellent communication, presentation and 
  inter-personal skills
• Excellent organisational and multi-tasking skills
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to think creatively
• Self-starter, proactive and able to work on own initiatives with minimal supervision
• Commercial awareness and business acumen. Ability to see the bigger picture
• Able to work under pressure and deliver on tight deadlines
• Experience of working in a professional services firm would be an advantage
• Proficiency in using MS Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Experience of using CRM systems would be an advantage
• Given the nature of the role, candidates must have a willingness to work irregular hours if and when required

Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative support to the Human Resources team
• Assist the whole HR team in data entry and preparation work
• Maintain HR records, including attendance, leave and filing system
• Provide secretarial support to Head of Human Resources
• Assist in ad-hoc projects as required

Requirements:

• Degree or diploma holder in Human Resources Management or related disciplines
• 1 year relevant work experience in human resources/ personnel matters, but fresh graduate will also be considered
• Good communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated, detail-minded and a good team player
• Willing to learn and to take extra duties 
• Good command of written English and Chinese
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Immediate available will be an advantage