Business Development Assistant in London

Our two-year graduate programme offers a structured entry point into business development (BD) within a leading international law firm. Over the course of the programme, you will develop core BD skills across pitch and proposal writing, event coordination, client development and market research, while gaining a practical understanding of how BD supports growth in a global legal practice.

As a Business Development Assistant, you will work closely with the London BD team to support activities across the firm's practice groups. You will gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, contributing to both day-to-day operations and broader strategic initiatives. While this is a fixed-term position, the programme is designed to provide a strong foundation for a long-term career in professional services BD. Strong performers may be considered for permanent opportunities within the team, subject to business needs and availability.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is a leading international law firm with offices in major financial centres around the world, widely recognised for its expertise in antitrust, M&A, finance and capital markets, tax, regulatory, and litigation practices. The firm was founded in 1946 by lawyers committed to excellence in the practice of law, the highest ethical standards, and diversity and individuality among its lawyers. Organised and operated as a single, integrated global partnership, Cleary Gottlieb employs more than 1,200 lawyers across 14 offices.

We have a proven track record for serving with innovation. We are fluent in many languages of local and global business, and we have achieved consistent success in multiple jurisdictions. Global corporations, financial institutions, sovereign governments, local businesses, and individuals come to us for consistently practical and forward-looking advice.

Responsibilities

• Assist BD teams with internal coordination, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, distributing materials, and tracking action items.
• Manage and update internal systems such as the CRM, including updating contact records, logging client interactions, generating reports, and ensuring data accuracy and integrity.
• Support with maintenance of matter tracking and other databases, and mailing lists to ensure information is current and accessible.
• Assist in the preparation of pitch materials and RFPs, including updating and maintaining a library of past and current documents, and providing support with formatting and proofreading.
• Conduct research on clients, industries, competitors and market trends to support pitches, client planning, and strategic BD initiatives.
• Organise and track submissions for directories, awards programmes and league tables, ensuring deadlines are met and materials are properly compiled.
• Assist with the coordination and logistics of client-facing events, webinars, sponsorships, and internal seminars, in collaboration with the Events team.
• Support internal reporting, including compiling data and tracking key metrics related to BD activities, client interactions, and practice performance.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications team to update practice-specific content on the firm's website and other public-facing materials.
• Provide general administrative support to ensure the smooth and effective operation of daily BD activities.
• Support ad-hoc projects and tasks as needed, ensuring their timely and accurate execution.

Education

Minimum 2:1 classification in a bachelor's degree. We welcome applications from all disciplines; what matters most is strong communication skills, commercial curiosity, and an interest in business development within professional services. No prior professional experience is required. Any internship, placement, or work experience in business administration, marketing, communications, or a professional services environment would be advantageous but is not essential.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to gather and present information clearly and concisely.
• A proactive team player with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to handle confidential and commercially sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• A strong client service mindset for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to follow instructions carefully and recognise when to seek guidance or escalation issues.
• An eagerness to learn and take on new challenges.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Key Details

• Start Date: November 2026.
• Educational Requirements: Candidates should have received a minimum 2:1 classification in a bachelor's degree by the start date outlined above.
• Compensation: Starting salary of £35,000 per annum, increasing to £38,000 per annum in the second year.
• Benefits: Competitive benefits package including 25 days' annual leave, pension scheme, private medical insurance, gym membership subsidy, and others.