Business Development and Marketing Graduate 2026

Business Development and Marketing Graduate 2026

Overview

You don't need to be a lawyer to be a leader in this supportive and inclusive professional environment. Just be yourself. And start by helping to build trusted client relationships by joining our BD & Marketing team.

About the role

This two-year scheme will grant exposure to a creative and fast-paced Business Development (“BD”) & Marketing environment. This includes assisting with business development programmes to develop client relationships and win new business, using client relationship management software, collating and drafting content for pitches, drafting press releases, digital marketing, supporting marketing campaigns, internal communications and event management.

You will develop a commercial mindset and a clear understanding of how to drive profitable revenue growth, add value to new and existing clients, develop and deliver a distinctive brand proposition and build sector expertise, whilst rotating across our supportive specialist teams:

• Business Development: BD directs growth by understanding client needs and competitor activity, helping lawyers develop strategies for winning new business and improving deliverables.
• Client: Their main goal is to understand what clients need, help them get the best possible service from the firm, and ensure a positive experience.
• Bids: Showcases why Addleshaw Goddard is the right firm to help the client by collecting information on client's needs, highlighting the firm's expertise, and answering client's questions.
• Communications: Responsible for managing how the firm shares information internally and externally. They make sure messages about the firm, its work, and its people are clear, accurate, and professional.
• Marketing: Marketing promotes the firm and its services the wider business community. Their work involves creating and sharing information about the firm, its expertise, and its achievements.

What we are looking for

There is no such thing as a ‘typical' Addleshaw Goddard candidate. As a firm, we are shaped by different perspectives, and we know our success depends on giving opportunities to people from a range of backgrounds, locations and perspectives.

As a BD & Marketing Graduate at Addleshaw Goddard, a typical day might include:

• Supporting to identify and target new business opportunities across priority sectors, practices and markets.
• You contribute to the design of business development plans aligned to sectors, regional and practice group growth objectives.
• You assist in progressing the client pipeline, including tracking opportunities, maintaining accurate records, and supporting reporting.
• You support with onboarding a new client, as part of assisting to manage client accounts.
• You research markets, clients, and competitors to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for growth.
• You help prepare high-quality pitch materials, proposals, and credentials for client opportunities.
• Ahead of client meetings, you work closely with the BD team to plan and prepare, including briefing materials and follow-up actions.
• Assisting your colleagues, you deliver client and industry events and targeted marketing campaigns which focus on relationship building and lead generation.
• You supporting client engagement initiatives and account management activities.
• Supporting BD, you maintain the firm's CRM system to highlight activity, including data analysis, client insights, and reporting.
• Where you can, you will assist in driving cross-selling opportunities by identifying connections across practice areas and client needs.

There are some qualities we would like you to bring to this role. Please don't be put off if you don't meet all of them, we will build your skillset.

• Strong Communication : You can talk and write clearly, and you're confident communicating with stakeholders of varying seniority.
• Team Player : You enjoy working with others and helping the team and firm achieve its goals.
• Organised : You keep track of your tasks and manage time well, even when things get busy.
• Problem Solver : You proactively seek innovative solutions and aren't afraid to try new ways of working.
• Attention to Detail : You check your work carefully to make sure information is accurate and nothing is missed.
• Willing to Learn : You're open to learning new skills, including using new technology/AI tools over time.
• Adaptable : You can handle change and are comfortable with managing multiple competing priorities.
• Analytical : You have an analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data.
• Commercial Awareness : You understand client needs are shaped by wider economic and social factors, building this into your role.
• Motivation & Experience : You are passionate about Business Development and client engagement and may have experience in social media, digital marketing, events/fundraising, market research, sales or with Copilot/Generative AI.

What you can expect

With Addleshaw Goddard, you can expect a supportive team culture, a flexible, friendly and state-of-the-art working environment, and an attractive salary and benefits package.For the role of BD & Marketing Graduate, we will reward you with a first-year salary of £25,000. We have a range of benefits, including access to healthcare, mental health support and wellbeing and lifestyle initiatives. Our dedicated Early Careers team will support you before and whilst in the role, including delivering development opportunities via our Early Careers pathways. We operate a hybrid working model, requiring employees to attend the office for a minimum 3 days per week, with the remaining days available for remote working. Specific office attendance requirements may vary by role and business need.

Eligibility and Recruitment Process

To be eligible for the role, you must have achieved 5 GCSE's grades 4/C or above (or equivalent qualifications), including English and Maths and a 2:1 degree in any discipline. Undergraduates must be applying in final year, graduating before September 2026.

The recruitment process is made up of three steps:

• Application Form: You start by filling in an online form with your details, such as your education, work experience, and motivations. Please note that applications will go live on Monday 20 April and will close on Friday 29 May.
• Voice Interview: This stage is usually done online in your own time, where you answer questions about yourself and your motivation for the role. This will take place in June.
• Assessment Centre: Here, you'll take part in different activities, including an interview, a group task and an in-tray exercise where you show how you would handle tasks you might do in the job. The assessment centre will take place between Monday 29 June and Monday 13 July.

Please note, we may close applications earlier if we receive a high volume of applications, so we recommend that you apply early.

Diversity and Inclusion

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of a person's sex, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, background or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to having a diverse team and actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and communities. If you require any adjustments or support during the application or interview process, for example, extra time or accessibility support, please let us know. You can request this within your application or contact us on [email protected] offers of employment are subject to right to work in the UK. If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please indicate this in your application. We assess applications based on merit and suitability for the role, regardless of immigration status.

This role will begin on Monday 5 October with an induction in our Manchester office.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.