Corporate Development Analyst in London

Burford Capital is the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law. Its businesses include litigation finance and risk management, asset recovery and a wide range of legal finance and advisory activities. Burford is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUR) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: BUR), and it works with companies and law firms around the world from its principal offices in New York, London, Chicago, Washington, Singapore, and Dubai.

Burford is expanding its corporate development capabilities to support its continued growth and strategic objectives globally. The successful candidate will play a key role in identifying, evaluating, and executing corporate transactions, strategic initiatives, and other value‑creating opportunities across the business. This is an exciting opportunity to join the market leader at the intersection of finance and law, working directly with senior management in an entrepreneurial, fast‑paced environment.

This role offers a unique opportunity to be part of a small, high‑performing team driving Burford’s strategic and investment agenda. The Corporate Development Analyst will gain exposure to a wide range of transactions and strategic initiatives—from M&A to innovative investment structures—while working at the forefront of the global legal finance industry. The role will be based in Burford’s London office.

Burford Capital is the largest and most experienced provider of commercial finance to the legal sector in the world, with a core expertise in identifying and optimizing the value of legal assets for companies and law firms. Since its founding in 2009, Burford has worked with hundreds of law firms and corporations, including 94 of the AmLaw 100 and 92 of the Global 100 largest law firms. Our team has grown from five people at the end of 2009 to over 150 people today, including over 45 lawyers.

Burford possesses the resources and expertise of a large company while retaining the flexibility and creativity of a startup. Team members are smart, creative, collaborative, curious, and confident. Everyone rolls up their sleeves to perform and engage collectively for the overall success of the business. Burford values rigorous thinking, clear communication, and efficient execution. Burford is an “always on” environment in which everyone needs to be accessible by email when outside the office, including during evenings and weekends. Burford pays base salaries consistent with the financial services industry and favors incentive compensation to reward performance.

Position Requirements

Burford is seeking a Corporate Development Analyst to join its London office. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to Burford’s strategic growth by supporting the identification, evaluation, and execution of corporate transactions, strategic initiatives, and other value‑creating opportunities across the business.

The Analyst will play a key role in M&A analysis, strategic investments, and capital deployment opportunities, while also supporting broader strategic initiatives, working closely with senior leadership across Corporate Development, Finance, and Investment teams.

In addition to traditional corporate development responsibilities (such as financial modelling, valuation, and transaction execution), the role will have a broader strategic remit, supporting Burford’s exploration of innovative opportunities in the legal sector— including equity investments in law firms and other strategic partnerships.

The Analyst will work closely with Burford’s senior leadership, including the Chief Development Officer and Chief Financial Officer, providing direct exposure to strategic decision‑making across the firm. This is a high‑impact role ideal for candidates with 2–3 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, financial due diligence, or corporate development who are eager to apply their transactional and analytical skills in a strategic, fast‑growing business.

Role & Responsibilities

• Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategic Investments
  • Support the evaluation and execution of M&A transactions, minority investments, and strategic partnerships aligned with Burford’s long‑term growth objectives.
  • Build and maintain detailed financial models to assess valuation, returns, and capital structure implications.
  • Conduct financial, commercial, and market due diligence in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Assist in transaction management, including coordinating advisers, preparing materials for internal approvals, and supporting deal negotiations.
• Market and Competitive Intelligence
  • Research and analyse market trends, emerging opportunities, and competitive developments in legal and adjacent sectors.
  • Prepare strategic insights and reports for senior leadership to inform investment, partnership, and broader strategic decisions.
  • Monitor the performance and strategic direction of peers, partners, and potential targets.
• Strategic and Corporate Planning
  • Support Burford’s leadership team in the evaluation of capital deployment opportunities and analysis of existing strategic investments.
  • Develop financial and strategic materials for management and Board discussions.
  • Assist with ad hoc strategic projects, including new market assessments, joint venture evaluations, and internal investment initiatives.
  • Partner with Finance, Legal, Investment, and Business Development teams to align corporate initiatives with broader business strategy.
  • Coordinate internal workstreams to ensure smooth execution of corporate development projects from inception to completion.

Skills Desired

• 2–3 years’ experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, or financial due diligence / transaction advisory preferred.
• Strong financial modelling, valuation, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations.
• Excellent commercial judgement and understanding of capital markets and corporate finance principles.
• Experience executing transactions and managing workstreams across multiple stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating with limited precedent and exercising independent judgement in complex situations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing presentations and investment materials for senior audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Prior exposure to the legal, financial services, or asset management sectors is beneficial but not required.

Core Competencies & Skills / Personal Attributes & Fit

• Highly analytical, proactive, and intellectually curious.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Collaborative and confident working with senior stakeholders across teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to contribute to the growth of a pioneering business.
• A self‑starter who takes ownership, demonstrates sound judgement, and thrives in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

Burford Capital is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status, whether or not they have a disability.