Head of Business Development & Marketing LGS

Job description

For Linklaters Global Solutions Warsaw, we are currently recruiting for the Head of Business Development & Marketing LGS role. Work arrangements: Model work: Hybrid (3 days per week at the Warsaw office) Contract: Employment contract with 3- month probation period About the team You will join Linklaters Global Solutions (LGS) as part of a strategically important leadership role connecting LGS with the global Business Development and Marketing (BDM) function. BDM is a globally diverse group of specialists dedicated to driving revenue growth, strengthening the firm’s reputation, and supporting priority client relationships across the business. As Head of Business Development & Marketing LGS , you will lead the BDM shared services team within LGS, overseeing more than 50 people, across manager, team leader and specialist levels, based primarily in Warsaw and across other relevant LGS locations. The role sits within a matrix organisation and combines operational leadership, service delivery oversight, strategic planning, and stakeholder partnership. You will report solid line to the Head of LGS Transformation & Service Delivery and dotted line to the Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer . You will also be a member of both the LGS Leadership Team and the Global BDM Leadership Team . In this role, you will be responsible for leading a high-performing BDM shared services function that supports teams across the firm through scalable, efficient, and high-quality delivery. You will oversee the day-to-day performance of the function, strengthen the service model, drive continuous improvement, and ensure the LGS BDM model remains closely aligned with client priorities, firmwide initiatives, and the evolving needs of the business. The BDM LGS function currently comprises four hubs: Pitching Hub, BD Hub, Data and Operations Hub, and Creative and Marketing Hub . As Head of BDM LGS, you will lead the hub leads, govern and improve service delivery across all areas, and ensure effective integration with the relevant strategically aligned BDM teams. As Head of Business Development & Marketing LGS, you will: Set the direction and lead the team Shape and communicate the vision, strategy, and operating model for BDM shared services within LGS. Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing, inclusive team across multiple hubs and locations. Set clear goals and expectations across the full employee lifecycle, creating accountability, strong engagement, and a culture of open and constructive feedback. Build capability across BDM LGS through effective onboarding, training, development, and recognition initiatives. Act as a visible role model for Linklaters culture and help build a connected team culture across LGS and the wider Global BDM function. Serve as the senior point of contact for key stakeholders on LGS BDM delivery, priorities, and performance. Lead the service model Oversee the delivery of high-quality, consistent services across the Pitching Hub, BD Hub, Data and Operations Hub, and Creative and Marketing Hub. Build a client-focused and scalable service model that delivers efficient, high-value support to the wider organisation. Ensure services are delivered against agreed service level agreements, or define and implement appropriate service metrics and quality measures where service level agreements are not yet in place. Monitor service performance through regular reviews, reporting, and audits, taking corrective action where needed. Review team structures, workflows, and delivery models to improve quality, consistency, efficiency, and value. Maintain accurate and current service documentation, including service catalogues, service level agreements, and related process materials. Improve processes and drive digitalisation Lead process simplification, standardisation, and continuous improvement across the BDM LGS model. Ensure effective adoption and use of the existing BDM technology stack, while contributing to the development of the future-state architecture. Promote the use of technology, automation, and data to improve output quality, user experience, productivity, and efficiency. Support innovation across service delivery, including relevant applications of artificial intelligence where appropriate. Use data and insight to steer decisions Use data, key performance indicators, and management information to monitor service performance and support decision-making. Provide regular reporting to senior leadership on progress, return on investment, and strategic insight. Identify trends, risks, and opportunities to improve service quality, accountability, and business impact. Strengthen the use of data across the function to support planning, prioritisation, and performance management. Partner with stakeholders Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the global BDM function, LGS, and the wider firm. Ensure stakeholder feedback informs service design, priorities, and continuous improvement. Manage relationships across business development, marketing, operations, and leadership teams to align delivery with business needs. Represent LGS BDM capabilities credibly and effectively to senior stakeholders across the organisation. Shape LGS and BDM strategy Contribute the BDM perspective to the strategic vision and roadmap for LGS. Develop and implement initiatives that advance the LGS strategy for BDM, including service expansion, capability development, and operating model improvement. Manage relationships with global BDM stakeholders on behalf of LGS, ensuring delivery remains closely connected to the strategic direction of the wider BDM function. Act as an advocate for Global BDM priorities within the LGS Leadership Team, and for LGS capabilities within the wider firm. Contribute to and lead LGS-wide initiatives that support employer brand, employee wellbeing, innovation, and continuous improvement. Promote cross-LGS collaboration to improve delivery, strengthen shared problem-solving, and increase organisational effectiveness. Lead change and future readiness Act as a visible change leader for the ongoing evolution of the BDM LGS service model. L ead change, transformation, and service expansion initiatives, including process redesign, technology adoption, automation, and operating model development. Ensure the function remains aligned to changing business needs and well-positioned to support future growth. Lead the management and resolution of service disruptions through clear governance, incident management, and accountability. Apply if you: Bring at least 8-10 years’ experience in highly relevant business development, marketing, shared services, or commercial operations roles, ideally within legal or other complex professional services environments. Proven experience as a senior people leader managing large, multi-layered teams with varied structures, ideally within shared services or operational hub environments, with accountability for organisational design, hiring, performance, development, succession and retention. Proven experience operating at senior leadership level, with strong stakeholder management skills and the credibility to influence priorities and align delivery across business development, marketing, operations and leadership stakeholders. Have proven ability to design, run, and improve service models using clear governance, service catalogues, service level agreements, performance metrics, and reporting. Have experience with adoption and usage of business development and marketing technology, including customer relationship management systems, event management platforms, digital asset management tools, workflow systems, pitching solutions, and creative design tools, ideally including artificial intelligence use cases. Use data and management information confidently to support decision-making, monitor performance, identify improvement opportunities, and increase accountability. Bring deep understanding of business-to-business business development and marketing in a legal or professional services context, including business development, client development, pitching, campaigns, events, digital channels, and market insight. Have led change, transformation, or service expansion initiatives, including process redesign, technology adoption, automation, or operating model development. Are commercially minded and able to translate strategic priorities into practical delivery models, measurable outcomes, and clear return on investment. Hold a university degree, preferably supported by additional qualifications or certifications relevant to leadership, change, operations, project management, or service excellence. Key relationships Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer Head of LGS Transformation & Service Delivery Global BDM Leadership Team Hub leads and their corresponding strategically aligned team leaders Linklaters Global Solutions Core Management BDM Centres of Excellence Practice Representatives Key Benefits Joining Team Linklaters will see you qualify for a range of benefits designed to reward the vital contribution you'll be making to our success. These include: Private medical care Free in-house fitness centre Life insurance Worldwide travel insurance for business and non-business travel Benefit Multisport club card or subsidised travel card Wide range of training opportunities Linklaters and the Team You will be welcomed into the LGS function as a critical part of the LGS Leadership Team as well as part of the Global BDM Leadership Team, reporting into Head of LGS and via a dotted line to CMO. BDM is a key stakeholder for the LGS function, comprised of a globally diverse group of specialists dedicated to driving revenue growth, nurturing our priority client relationships and strengthening the firm’s reputation. In this role, you will be supported by and collaborate closely with both the LGS and BDM Leadership teams and broader function beyond. Linklaters thrives on a collegiate atmosphere with a strong focus on teamwork and collaboration with colleagues. The LGS function is key in supporting our lawyers and the wider BDM team in developing and executing business development and marketing initiatives that drive growth and align with the firm's strategic goals. The role within LGS promises a diverse array of tasks and projects. You will encounter significant opportunities for learning and growth within a nurturing and supportive environment. We look forward to expanding our team with individuals who share our drive, forward-thinking mindset, and enthusiasm. About Linklaters: Linklaters is a people business. Being best in class in the eyes of our clients means that our people must be exceptional. We look not only for brilliant minds, but for people who will thrive in our environment: people who love working collaboratively and demonstrate the innovative, efficient, agile, entrepreneurial and responsible mind-set we aim to bring to every interaction. Ours is an environment of outperformance. We achieve this not with targets and incentives, but by fostering a positive, supportive, fair and open atmosphere. We respect and value difference but insist on inclusivity. We celebrate all aspects of diversity and challenge any form of bias, because we want everyone to feel that they belong. This is vital to our ability to work as one team, with a common mind-set. We recognise that one size does not fit all. Our goal is to embed flexibility across our firm by giving everyone the opportunity to work in an agile way, whether as a regular pattern or on an ad hoc basis, and we will be happy to discuss this further. What sets us apart At Linklaters We offer a truly global work experience and the opportunity to be involved in strategic projects that drive innovation and shape the future of our business We belong to a firm that embodies its corporate social, environment and governance responsibility commitments We celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion so our people can bring themselves to work We advocate speak-up culture to empower our people in sharing their voices and an open-door policy to ensure they are listened to We invest in custom-fit career paths for our people in line with their talents and aspirations We provide agile working solutions to meet the changing needs of our people and our business We are committed to people first relationships based on mutual trust, respect and appreciation We support the health and wellbeing of our people, providing a safe space to talk about emotions and mental health with access to expert advice as needed We invest in developing leaders of the future who demonstrate emotional intelligence and a passion to discover, coach and develop the talents of others Technical Skills: Business Operation Management, Business Partner Support, Curriculum Development, KPI Analytics, KPI Design, Policy Design, Policy Development, Process Design, Process Improvements, Process Mapping, Resource Management, Resource Optimization, Stakeholder Management This list of duties and responsibilities above is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. As such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.