Business Relationship Manager

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

What to expect

For business professionals, our environment is highly collaborative with value being placed on diversity of ideas, skills and mindsets. Not least yours. It’s energetic, fast-moving and there’s always something new to get involved in. You will get exposure across geographies and the firm as a whole.

The future is a place of opportunity. Focusing on your success and for what’s next, will ensure you thrive too.

Key responsibilities:

The Business Relationship Manager acts as the ‘front of house’ for IT and works closely across the firm to ensure that technology is being used to support the firm’s strategy. This role will be focused on supporting at least one of our Practice Groups and a selection of Business Services teams through close relationship management and by acting as the guardian for all new technology work.  This role will be responsible for making sure their own IT Strategy is clearly articulated and all changes are effectively managed.

The Business Relationship Manager (BRM) operates across the Delivery & Operations and Service Excellence  teams, playing a leading role within whilst capturing requirements, prioritising and developing business cases and ensuring budget alignment. The BRM will also take ownership for advising on change management within their assigned areas and ensures that all new technology is properly implemented and transitioned. They are also responsible for ensuring that new initiatives are reviewed through the appropriate governance forums.

A key component will be to support the IT and business strategy alignment for new activity, through working to develop the maturity of relationships growing into a trusted advisor. 

Finally the role holder will work with the Director of IT Programmes & Business Engagement to ensure suitable project management and delivery and that this matches the requirements of their aligned areas and those of their clients.

Skills and experience:

Expected skills and experience include:

• Experience in working in relationship focused roles, ideally having previously held a Business Relationship Manager/ Business Partner role elsewhere. 
• Proven track history of managing multiple demands across business focused functions resulting in clear development of change portfolios
• Experience of managing conflicting requirements leading to an agreed resolution
• Experience of working closely with the senior leadership of organisations allowing a deep understanding of business strategy and direction
• Proven track history of presenting technology opportunities into business units and to the wider stakeholder community in non-technical language.
• Whilst not essential, it would be advantageous to be certified with the BRMP and/or CBRM qualifications
  
  

The key attributes for the role holder:

• Acts as the front of house of the technology team to take on new work and feed this through to project delivery and to ensure the correct level of requirements and business case analysis have been undertaken.
• Builds and develops an effective working relationship throughout the IT team to communicate the needs of the business throughout IT and to match supply and demand.
• Works with the senior teams across the firm to influence and input into the IT strategy and to ensure that this supports their own clients’ needs and their growth plans.
• Acts as the key liaison to the Projects and Architecture functions in ensuring that the overall portfolio and associated architecture is aligned to new initiatives and that practice group development and client demands can be supported appropriately.
• Takes a role in the standard governance structure aligned to the Business Engagement function to ensure the right prioritisation of activity occurs. Leads the practice group technology reviews as required and takes part in the relevant design authorities.
• Ensures that the architecture team has designed the platforms appropriately to allow an effective estimation of effort prior to project commencement.
• Works with senior business stakeholders to ensure the IT Strategy and roadmap is delivering in line with their clients’ needs and expectations.
• Works closely with users to ensure the day to day use of IT services are understood and any problems routed through to the agreed route.
• Supports the business change activities of project delivery, ensuring that all necessary activities are in place to ensure the correct level of adoption and change are in place across the firm.
• Ensures the user base is supported in understanding how the day to day technology can be used to most effect.
• Manages the IT Communication Plan to ensure all areas of the business are clear on technology progress and development.
• Ensure the correct level of resource is in place for change management to be delivered effectively depending on the size, risk and impact of the project

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you,

For your success.

And what's next.

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