BD Market Lead - ASEAN

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Department Purpose

Our Marketing team contributes to the setting and achievement of the firm's business objectives, which include supporting our partners and associates in their pursuit of becoming our clients trusted advisors, building and maintaining long‑lasting, deep institutional client relationships, winning new clients, increasing the visibility of the firm globally, and positioning the firm as the thought leader among the global elite law firms. The function works as one team across the globe with very close collaboration between the central groups and professionals supporting offices, practice groups, sectors and clients.

Role Purpose

This role sets the direction and standards for the Marketing function in the ASEAN region. You will connect firm strategy to ASEAN plans and local delivery. You will define a clear, consistent go‑to‑market approach and translate it into sector, practice and geographic plans based on client needs, market opportunity and financial targets. You will allocate people and budgets to the highest‑value work and rebalance investment as markets evolve. You will raise the quality of client development and pitches and pursuits at scale, using data, client insight and technology to focus where it matters most. You will build a high‑performing, inclusive BD team with a consistent operating model, clear role boundaries, and measurable results.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual seeking a dynamic leadership role to join our ASEAN, Asia-Pacific and broader global marketing team. The role requires a deep understanding of the legal, regulatory, and commercial environment in ASEAN, essential for positioning the firm to clients in the region, and a thorough understanding of key marketing channels.

Role Requirements

• Graduate degree / university degree in business/related disciplines.
• Relevant business development and marketing experience at an equivalent level within a professional services organization.
• Experience in and deep understanding of the Asia Pacific market and how it operates in an international context.
• People management experience.
• Substantial marketing experience within a professional services organization or sector, working frequently with senior management teams.
• Leadership skills to set direction, bring others along, take accountability, and motivate and grow people.
• Expertise in developing key client relationships through scalable client development methods.
• Experience across the marketing, BD, and client development spectrum, able to advise and deliver at a senior level.
• Proven track record of delivering strategic advice and driving a change agenda aligned with the firm's client strategy.
• Ability to act as a proactive partner for fee-earners, inspire and challenge, identify and sell new BD opportunities, and drive their execution.
• Strong commercial awareness and enthusiasm to deepen understanding of A&O Shearman's client base and products.
• Demonstrates highly developed skills in Microsoft Office Suite, use and application of AI and marketing technology (CRM, EDM, PowerBI).
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills with partners, associates, BD colleagues, clients, and suppliers.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize own work.
• Excellent communication skills - both written and oral.
• Professional, creative, good humored and enthusiastic approach to all work and interactions.
• A team player and highly collaborative.