Lead Business Development Services Specialist

We're looking for a Business Development Services Lead Specialist to work in global marketing within the Business Development Services team. We want someone who will initially bring their experience to focus on a designated product offering, with scope to work on other asset classes as opportunities arise. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with Investment and client-facing teams to produce high quality, client focused and timely proposals in response to RFPs/RFIs and DDQs from prospective and existing clients. It is envisaged that the Business Development Services Lead Specialist would have an agile mindset and look for opportunities to improve the way the individual and the broader team works in delivering to clients. Strong project management skills are a requirement of the role, as is an ability to engage with a broad range of stake holders and subject matter experts. Also, you would be expected to demonstrate Schroders' Values: striving for Excellence; working with Innovation & Teamwork; having Passion and Integrity and a strong commitment to build on Schroders' profile, profitability and client base whilst liaising effectively with stakeholders across the business. You would also support other team members in their work, providing approval of marketing materials and, where required, data reviews for others. On occasions you may be asked to deputise certain responsibilities for your manager, in their absence. About Schroders We're a global investment manager. We help institutions, intermediaries and individuals around the world invest money to meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future. We have around 6,000 people on six continents. And we've been around for over 200 years, but keep adapting as society and technology changes. What doesn't change is our commitment to helping our clients, and society, prosper. The base We moved into our new HQ in the City of London in 2018. We're close to our clients, in the heart of the UK's financial centre. And we have everything we need to work flexibly. The team The global marketing function is responsible for all aspects of marketing to the four Schroders client segments - Wealth, Insurance, Pensions and Retirement, and Long-term Asset Owners - and Consumer audiences. Marketing activities include Requests for Proposals ('RFPs'), Requests for Information ('RFIs'), due diligence questionnaires ('DDQ's); delivering events and campaigns; producing editorial content, presentations; digital marketing: media relations and advertising. Positioned within Global Marketing, Business Development Services supports the gaining of new client mandates and servicing of existing clients by completing RFPs, RFIs, DDQs and other similar tender documents. The team covers requests across the four Schroders client segments: Wealth, Insurance, Pensions and Retirement, and Long-term Asset Owners channels from across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. What you'll do

• Produce high quality, client focused, accurate and compliant RFPs, RFIs, DDQs within the agreed deliverable timeframe, adhering to relevant rules and guidelines. Edit standard and bespoke material to suit the client's requirements. Develop key messages into an executive summary for RFPs to deliver a compelling submission, when required.
• Manage the entire proposal completion process end to end, from organising kick-off meetings to engaging with all associated parties; ensuring that a high quality, fully completed and compliant submission is dispatched to client-facing teams for delivery to the client.
• Demonstrate the ability to work on multiple client requests at once (across a range of asset classes and strategies) while working consistently, diligently and effectively under pressure. Always working with others in an open and co-operative way.
• Build strong relationships with Investment, client-facing teams, and other subject matter experts, to obtain the right information and prepare detailed proposal content.
• Implement the team's best practice proposal process in each submission, applying it appropriately depending on the complexity of the individual submission.
• Mentor new joiners and less experienced team members e.g. with time management, process, contacts and product knowledge. Provide guidance and support to Business Development Services Specialists, as required.
• Contribute to improving RFP processes and determine innovative solutions supporting procedures and workflow.
• Manage the content within Product Workbooks ensuring the instructions are up to date and relevant.
• Follow the defined processes for the use of the RFP database (Qvidian), including identifying new or updated content to be included on a timely basis.
• Demonstrate professional behaviours, an inquisitive mindset and a "can do attitude". Maintain focus on delivering to a high standard in a rigorous and professional way. Be motivated to achieve the best and expect the best from others in a cohesive team environment.
• Lead and/or contribute to team and/or department initiatives.
• Complete peer review compliance checks (final marketing sign offs) for other team members and train other team members when appropriate.
• Support colleagues from across Business Development Services in responding to requests where required.
• Where appropriate attend Schroders and external industry events to further market and product knowledge.
• Record and file all materials in accordance with FCA requirements and team procedures.
  
  Demonstrate asset management proposal experience. Broader financial services or asset management industry experience (notably in the Alternative investment asset classes) is desirable.
• Detailed understanding of asset management, and institutional and intermediary channels.
• Experience and clear understanding of both liquid and private markets asset classes/products.
• Experience liaising with investment specialists at various levels of seniority, client-facing teams, as well as clients and third parties as required.
• Strong team player, with the ability to manage multiple assignments effectively, use own initiative and a self-starter.
• Ability to communicate clearly, succinctly and professionally at all levels of seniority and across multiple cultures.
• Ability to provide guidance and support for the development of their colleagues.
• Experience using a content database (i.e. Qvidian or equivalent) is advantageous.
The knowledge, experience and qualifications that will help
• Team player.
• Efficient project management skills and well organised proactive approach.
• IMC (or equivalent), CFA - Certificate of ESG or other industry recognised relevant qualification.
• Strong writing, numeracy and literacy.
• Excellent attention to detail and proofreading skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Candidates should have a strong educational background or be educated to degree-level (or equivalent).
• Strong Microsoft 365 skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams).
• Language skills an advantage.
• CAIA or CFA Level I (or at least the ambition to do so) or post-graduate in business or finance.
What you'll be like
• Flexible and reliable - be able to prioritise and organise in a multi-task environment.
• Possess excellent organisation skills and an ability to work quickly and effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to work to strict deadlines and support the whole team to do the same.
• Willing to learn and take on new/more responsibilities.