Specialist, Proposals & Pursuits

Ranked a Best Employer in Canada for 24 years, Bennett Jones is one of Canada’s premier business law firms and home to 500 lawyers and business advisors. With deep experience in complex transactions and litigation matters, and offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and New York, the firm is well equipped to advise businesses and investors with Canadian ventures and connect Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities around the world. Serving clients since 1922, we are proud to be the firm that businesses trust with their most complex legal matters.

We are currently recruiting for the following role in our Toronto or Calgary office:

Specialist, Proposals & Pursuits

The Role:

The Specialist, Proposals & Pursuits is a key member of the firm’s national Client and Business Development (CBD) Team, helping practice groups, industry teams and lawyers qualify, pursue and win high value opportunities with new and existing clients. They are responsible for the writing, coordination and execution of various business development tasks in support of new business opportunities, including the creation of content for requests for proposals (RFP, RFI, RFQ), client pitch materials and presentations. The successful candidate must be able to articulate clear value propositions, deliver persuasive written content tailored to the opportunity, and exhibit the flexibility and creativity to respond productively to individualized needs of lawyers. They will be expected to work autonomously in building trusted relationships with lawyers, stakeholders and business services teams. This individual enjoys working independently, applies a project management mindset to their work and demonstrates a desire to win.

Essential Functions:

• Manage credentials and proposal requests from start to submission, including: reviewing and interpreting client RFP requirements, requesting/conducting initial research, coordinating with lawyers and CBD Team members for strategic analysis and go/no go decision, drafting and customizing proposal materials, coordinating schedules and deadlines
• Writing and editing proposal content, collaborating with lawyers and SMEs to draft persuasive, compelling value propositions
• Create and enhance visually compelling documents by applying advanced formatting and design techniques
• Act as point person for complex RFPs and coordinate the contributions of proposal team members, lawyers, CBD Team members, finance, pricing, knowledge management, competitive intelligence and IT professionals, where appropriate
• Review and edit proposal materials to ensure accuracy, compliance with RFP requirements and responsiveness to client needs/expectations
• In coordination with other proposal team members, regularly add relevant content, such as representative experience descriptions, value propositions, differentiators, pricing structures, custom lawyer biographies and RFP Q&A to the firm’s content management database, and ensure compliance with Business Development writing style guide
• Track pitch and proposal activity in Asana the firm’s project management tool
• Regularly follow-up with lawyers to track proposal progress once submitted and coordinate client proposal debriefs, as appropriate

Qualifications:

• Passionate about creating and consistently improving compelling B2B proposal and sales material
• Post-secondary education in Business, Public Relations, Communications or related field. LL.B./J.D. an asset
• 3-5 years’ experience in business writing, with a strong understanding of effective proposal and business development strategies, preferably in the legal or other professional services industry
• Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills to write strategically with a grasp of legal subject matter and client expectations
• Strong oral communications skills and ability to build credibility with lawyers
• Ability to manage competing priorities and effectively deliver quality work under tight deadlines
• Strong attention to detail and a quick learner
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Word and PowerPoint
• Experience with content management software (Foundation) and project management tools (Asana) would be an asset
• Proficiency with graphic design software such as InDesign and working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite would be useful
• Experience with content management and proposal generation software is an asset

Additional Details:

• Compensation: $75,000- $100,000 per annum
• Vacancy: This position is for an existing vacancy

Apply To:

Human Resources
Bennett Jones Services Limited Partnership
3400 One First Canadian Place
P.O. Box 130
Toronto, ON M5X 1A4
E-mail:  hrdepttor@bennettjones.com

All offers of employment are conditional upon the satisfactory verification of a Canadian criminal record check.  Determination of the factors that constitute satisfactory verification is within the sole discretion of Bennett Jones.

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Bennett Jones is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005.  If you require accommodations, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.  We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.