Graduate Assistant

Graduate Assistant

Entry level 25000 - 32000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Collaborate with senior leaders to drive business growth and build a global lawyer network.
  • Company: Join NOVA8, a leading alternative legal services platform transforming the legal market.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-related pay, and opportunities for personal development.
  • Other info: Hybrid role with real responsibilities and excellent career growth potential.
  • Why this job: Be part of an innovative team shaping the future of legal services from day one.
  • Qualifications: Curiosity, intellectual rigour, and commercial awareness are key; no legal background needed.

The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.

We are looking for someone at the start of their career – someone who brings curiosity and ambition rather than experience. We are looking for an exceptional individual to work at the heart of NOVA8's UK & Europe operation, working directly alongside senior leadership to build the next phase of the business. NOVA8 is a Chambers-ranked alternative legal services platform – an ALSP – working with international businesses and leading in-house teams. The legal market is changing quickly and new models are emerging that combine talent, technology and flexible legal capability in different ways. We are building one of those platforms.

This is a business role, not a legal one. No legal qualification or background is required or expected. Think of it as a founder-associate role for someone at the very start of their career. A first role, but not a typical one.

What you will do:

  • Work closely with our senior team on the things that actually move the business forward.
  • Build our global lawyer network – identifying and engaging the right legal talent for specific client mandates and platform roles.
  • Spend time with general counsel and senior legal teams to understand what they need.
  • Help shape how we take the platform to market.
  • Work through the practical challenges that come with scaling a modern legal business.

This is not a support role. You will be expected to take responsibility for real work from day one. This will be a hybrid role, with time required each week onsite in the West Midlands and occasional travel to London and other parts of the UK when required. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, with a performance-related element as the role develops.

What we are looking for:

  • The criteria for this role are straightforward: curiosity, intellectual rigour and commercial awareness. Everything else is secondary.
  • We are not looking for someone with years of legal market experience. We are looking for someone at the very beginning of their career who wants to build something.
  • We are open to individuals who haven't followed the obvious path – those coming from adjacent fields or who have simply developed a sharp interest in how businesses grow and markets evolve.
  • A genuine curiosity about the legal services market is an asset. A law degree is not a requirement.
  • If you ask good questions, figure things out and are comfortable taking responsibility earlier than most roles tend to allow, we want to hear from you.

What this is not:

This is not a graduate programme. There is no rotation, no cohort and no structured syllabus. We are looking for an individual we can invest in and develop over time – someone who wants to play a meaningful role in building a business and who is looking for something with more responsibility and genuine proximity to decision-making than most early-career roles tend to offer.

How to apply:

If that sounds like you, reach out directly. Please send your CV along with a short note, in your own words and based on your personal experience, on what you think is changing in the legal services market and why it matters.

Peter Workman
Head of UK & Europe – NOVA8

Graduate Assistant employer: NOVA8

NOVA8 is an exceptional employer for those at the start of their careers, offering a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leadership in a dynamic and evolving legal services market. With a focus on curiosity and ambition, employees are empowered to take on meaningful responsibilities from day one, fostering a culture of innovation and growth. The hybrid role based in the West Midlands allows for flexibility and exposure to various aspects of business development, making it an ideal environment for personal and professional development.
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Contact Detail:

NOVA8 Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Graduate Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the legal services industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Graduate Assistant role.

✨Tip Number 2

Show your curiosity! When you get the chance to chat with someone from NOVA8 or similar companies, ask insightful questions about their work and the market. This will demonstrate your genuine interest and help you stand out.

✨Tip Number 3

Tailor your approach! When applying through our website, make sure your CV and cover note reflect your understanding of the changing legal landscape. Highlight your curiosity and any relevant experiences that showcase your potential.

✨Tip Number 4

Be proactive! If you see an opportunity at NOVA8, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Reach out directly, share your thoughts on the legal services market, and express your eagerness to contribute. We love seeing initiative!

We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Assistant

Curiosity
Intellectual Rigour
Commercial Awareness
Engagement Skills
Networking Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Communication Skills
Responsibility
Understanding of Legal Services Market
Business Development Skills
Analytical Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to express your thoughts and ideas in a way that feels natural to you.

Show Your Curiosity: Since we’re looking for someone with genuine curiosity about the legal services market, make sure to highlight any relevant experiences or interests. Share what excites you about the changes happening in the industry!

Keep It Concise: While we love a good story, keep your CV and note clear and to the point. Focus on the key points that showcase your skills and insights without rambling on too much.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at NOVA8

✨Show Your Curiosity

NOVA8 is looking for someone with genuine curiosity about the legal services market. Before your interview, do some research on current trends and challenges in the industry. Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest and understanding of how the market is evolving.

✨Highlight Your Ambition

This role is all about ambition and taking responsibility. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences where you've taken initiative or led a project, even if it was in a different context. Show them that you're eager to contribute and grow within the company.

✨Understand the Business Side

Since this is a business role rather than a legal one, brush up on basic business concepts and how they apply to the legal sector. Familiarise yourself with terms like 'commercial awareness' and be prepared to discuss how you can help NOVA8 scale its operations effectively.

✨Be Yourself

NOVA8 values authenticity and is open to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Don’t be afraid to share your unique journey and how it has shaped your perspective. This is your chance to stand out, so let your personality shine through during the interview!

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