Social network you want to login/join with:
Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.
We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.
To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package.
The team
Shoosmiths EIGHT is the brand name of connected services at Shoosmiths. Connected services is a client-facing initiative that aims to broaden the firm’s offering by providing solutions that go beyond traditionally delivered legal advice.
By positioning complementary capabilities at the margins of our core services, Shoosmiths seeks to address a wider piece of a client’s problem, offering customers more complete business solutions and elevating the firm from legal advisor to more holistic business partner.
All the EIGHT products are delivered from within our three Divisions and the EIGHT team works seamlessly with product leads within the business to identify blind spots, build compelling client-facing capabilities and drive active origination strategies.
Further details can be found on our website Shoosmiths EIGHT.
The role
Shoosmiths Eight has enormous potential to help the firm get closer to clients, differentiate itself in chosen markets, contribute significant new revenues and drive a culture of collaboration. It is a strategic priority for Shoosmiths.
Having secured a sound platform since launch, the firm recruited a new director in December 2023 who has set an ambitious new strategy for growth on a more commercial trajectory.
In view of the scale of the opportunity and EIGHT being a strategic priority, EIGHT is looking to hire its second dedicated staff member to help realise the new strategy and to make eight a flagship offering that can accelerate Shoosmiths’ wider ambition to excel in its chosen markets by 2030.
Therefore, we are now looking for an entrepreneurial all-rounder with a blend of skills suitable for helping realise this ambition. No prior knowledge of connected services is necessary.
Main responsibilities
The role is diverse and flexible, as it is typical for a small, agile business. The main focus of the role will be 75% on the Shoosmiths EIGHT products, ensuring that they are developed and maintained effectively. The other 25% will be spent supporting the Director in the commercial aspects of the business, which offers a great chance to acquire a wide range of skills.
This will involve helping shape and implement the strategy, increasing the profile of the business and assisting with business development.
PRODUCT RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Play key role in the development of new and existing connected services products.
2. Lead and manage the product development lifecycle from concept to launch.
3. Develop and implement infrastructure to support product development, provision and management.
4. Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including business development, marketing, IS, risk & ethics to ensure seamless product development and operational efficiency.
5. Oversee project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
6. Problem solving and troubleshooting operational delivery of products.
7. Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
8. Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the progress and success of product development initiatives.
9. Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on project status, challenges, and achievements.
10. Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies to ensure our products remain competitive.
COMMERCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assisting the Director with strategic planning for the business.
2. Assisting the Director embed the new strategy for Eight, particularly by championing a more focused approach to product building.
3. Being highly visible and attending internal meetings (to support and/or represent the Director) to promote EIGHT and connected services.
4. Assisting the Director with new product suggestions and building businesses cases for evaluation.
5. Meeting (with or without the Director) potential partners and suppliers to find best in class external capabilities and assessing commercial compatibility with Shoosmiths’ offering.
6. Stakeholder management.
7. Assisting the Director and Business Development in increasing the client base for EIGHT products by supporting preparation of client pitches, identifying new referral corridors and helping with deal execution.
Skills and qualifications
Connected Services lends itself to candidates with an all-round skill set. The ideal candidate will be comfortable in product detail and project management but experience in (or an interest in) strategic management and/or a client-orientated approach is particularly favoured.
Suitable candidates may have a knowledge of law firms (however this is not essential) but experience in front office (or working in close support of front office) is preferred. Risk awareness is vital to the role and the ideal candidate should feel comfortable in assessing risk. Proven stakeholder management would be advantageous, and the right candidate is likely to be dynamic and comfortable with a wide range of responsibilities. Ancillary business like Eight have a degree of autonomy from the wider firm and therefore experience of a “no two days the same” type role (akin to a small business) and a willingness to tackle any situation with a can-do attitude would be expected. An entrepreneurial outlook and interest in innovation is key.
No previous knowledge of connected services is required but an ability to complement the pool of skills within the business would be preferred. Any accounting skills, project management experience and a keen interest in technology would be favoured in this regard. Legal experience is not required.
#J-18808-Ljbffr