At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Bids team with tender submissions and legal directory materials.
- Company: Join Harper Macleod, an award-winning Scottish law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience and build relationships across the firm.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in business development within a leading legal firm.
- Qualifications: A degree in any discipline and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25650 - 31350 £ per year.
Location: Glasgow / Edinburgh
Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
About the opportunity
As our Business Development team continues to grow, we are looking for a curious, organised and enthusiastic graduate to join Harper Macleod’s award-winning Business Development department. This is a great opportunity to start a career in professional services and gain hands-on experience in how a leading Scottish law firm wins work, builds client relationships and showcases its expertise.
The role
You will join our Bids, Tenders and Legal Directories team, supporting the preparation of tender submissions, contract mobilisation work and legal directory submissions. These activities are central to how the firm presents its experience, responds to client opportunities and competes for new work. Working with Senior Associate Anna Maitles and the wider team, you will help create clear, persuasive and well-organised materials for bids, pitches and legal directory submissions. You will also help maintain the information and processes that allow the team to work efficiently and deliver high-quality work to deadlines. You do not need prior legal sector experience. What matters most is that you are interested in how professional services firms work, confident working with written information, comfortable collaborating with others and keen to learn. If you enjoy organisation, problem-solving, writing and working in a deadline-driven environment, this could be an excellent first step in your career.
What you’ll gain
- Practical experience in business development, bids, tenders and legal directories within a leading Scottish law firm
- Exposure to partners, lawyers and business services colleagues across the firm
- The opportunity to develop writing, research, project management, commercial awareness and communication skills
- Support and guidance from experienced colleagues as you build confidence in the role
- A strong foundation for a career in business development, marketing, bids, legal operations or professional services
What you’ll be doing
- Supporting the Bids team with new public and private sector tender opportunities
- Helping to prepare polished tender response documents and submission materials
- Creating and updating CVs, team profiles and organisational charts for bids and pitches
- Supporting the mobilisation of new contracts once work has been won
- Maintaining and improving the team’s tender knowledge and information resources
- Assisting the Legal Directories team with templates, submissions and supporting information
- Keeping trackers, reports and team information tools accurate and up to date
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across the firm to gather information and meet deadlines
About you
Essential skills and experience:
- A degree in any discipline
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce accurate work
- Confidence working with information, documents and deadlines
- A collaborative approach and the ability to build positive working relationships
- Curiosity about how law firms and professional services businesses operate
- A willingness to learn legal terminology, processes and the wider Scottish legal market
- An interest in innovation, AI and technology, and how these can be used to improve efficiency and quality in document production
Desirable, but not essential:
- Awareness of the legal sector or professional services
- Experience using databases, Excel or document formatting tools
- Experience gained through part-time work, volunteering, university projects, societies or internships
How to apply
If you are organised, curious, collaborative and keen to start a career in business development within the legal sector, we would like to hear from you. We welcome applications from graduates from all degree backgrounds and encourage you to tell us how your studies, work experience or extracurricular activities have helped you develop the skills for this role.
Let your ambitions grow with ours
At Harper Macleod, ambition is what drives us forward. We are a firm that cares about doing great work and making a real impact for our clients and for each other. We believe in progress, not standing still. That means sharing ideas, supporting growth and creating opportunities for everyone to shine. If you want to work somewhere that values curiosity and collaboration, you’ll feel right at home here. Our story so far includes recognition as Scotland’s Firm of the Year 2025, ESG Firm of the Year 2024 and a place in the Legal 500’s Green Guide for two years running. But we’re not done yet. The best is still to come. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, active colleague engagement, wellbeing, sustainability & CSR programmes and the opportunity to develop your career. If you’re ready to shape the future with us, we would love to hear from you.
Harper Macleod LLP is committed to promoting equal opportunities and developing a diverse workforce.
Graduate Business Development Assistant in Glasgow employer: Harper Macleod LLP
Harper Macleod LLP is an exceptional employer that champions professional growth and a collaborative work culture, making it an ideal place for a Dispute Resolution Solicitor. With a strong emphasis on ESG values and a commitment to ethical practices, employees are not only part of a top-tier legal team but also contribute to meaningful initiatives that impact clients and communities. Located in Glasgow, the firm offers competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement, ensuring that your ambitions align with the firm's mission to make a real difference in the legal landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Business Development Assistant in Glasgow
✨Data-Driven Networking
Get yourself into the local business intelligence scene! Attend meetups and industry events where you can connect with professionals in the field. Sites like Meetup or Eventbrite often have listings for these types of gatherings. Who knows, you might meet someone from Harper Macleod LLP!
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join online forums and LinkedIn groups focused on business intelligence. Engaging in discussions or sharing your insights can help you stand out. Plus, members often share job opportunities, including entry-level roles like Graduate Business Development Assistant at places like Harper Macleod LLP.
✨Show Off Your Skills
If you’ve done any projects or analyses—whether for school or personal interest—create a portfolio to showcase your work. Use platforms like GitHub or even your own website to make your skills visible. Recruiters love to see practical examples, especially for entry-level positions!
✨Apply Directly and Follow Up
Make sure to apply directly through our website when you see an opening for a Graduate Business Development Assistant at Harper Macleod LLP. After a week or so, don’t hesitate to follow up with a polite message expressing your interest. It shows you’re proactive and really keen on the opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Business Development Assistant in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Analytical Spark:When applying for an entry-level business intelligence role at Harper Macleod LLP, let your analytical skills shine through. Highlight any relevant coursework or projects where you’ve dealt with data analysis, and don’t forget to include any specific tools you’ve used, like SQL or Excel. It’s all about showcasing your ability to turn data into insights!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve done any certifications related to business intelligence, like Tableau or Power BI, make sure to include them in your CV. This not only shows your commitment to the field but also gives you an edge over other candidates who may not have them. It’s a great way to demonstrate your proactive approach to learning.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Harper Macleod LLP:Your cover letter is your chance to connect with Harper Macleod LLP personally. Mention why you’re excited about the prospect of joining them and how you can contribute to their goals. Use specific examples from your experience that align with their business intelligence needs!
Focus on Learning and Growth:As it’s an entry-level position, don’t hesitate to express your eagerness to learn and grow in the role. Talk about what you hope to achieve and how you look forward to developing your skills further in the business intelligence field. Employers love a candidate who's keen on expanding their knowledge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harper Macleod LLP
✨Master the Data Tools
Familiarise yourself with popular business intelligence tools like Tableau, Power BI, or SQL before the interview. We want to hear about your hands-on experience, so if you’ve created any dashboards or data reports, be ready to talk through them.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for technical questions that assess your analytical thinking. We might throw some sample data scenarios your way and ask how you'd approach solving them. Practice by finding case studies online and trying to tackle them yourself.
✨Show Your Passion for Learning
As this is an entry-level role, we’re looking for candidates who are eager to learn and grow. Be ready to discuss any online courses or workshops you’ve taken, especially those related to data analysis or business intelligence fundamentals.
✨Bring Your Best Examples
If you’ve worked on any projects or internships related to data analysis, don't be shy about sharing them. Whether it's a school project or a personal endeavour, having concrete examples will help us see your potential and how you can fit into the role at Harper Macleod LLP.
