Research Associate
Research Associate
Bristol | Hybrid
Edward Drummond & Co is a specialist research and executive search consultancy working globally across the legal sector.
We help law firms, businesses and investors make informed strategic and people decisions through high-quality research, market intelligence and senior-level recruitment. Our clients include large regional, international, global elite and leading US law firms, as well as professional services organisations, private equity houses and strategic corporates.
Our work combines strategic research, market intelligence, due diligence and executive search. We bring together detailed research, insight from market conversations and an understanding of our clients’ ambitions to advise on people, practices and opportunities across jurisdictions.
We’re looking for a Research Associate to join our Bristol team.
This is a hands-on research role for someone who is curious, analytical and enjoys getting into the detail while also understanding the bigger picture.
Working closely with our Partners and wider research team, you’ll support a varied portfolio of strategic research, market intelligence and due diligence assignments across the legal sector.
What you’ll be doing
- Researching firms, teams, individuals, markets and opportunities
- Building market maps and gathering information from a range of sources
- Conducting telephone research and speaking with professionals across the market
- Analysing qualitative and quantitative information to identify key themes and insights
- Supporting due diligence and strategic research assignments
- Producing clear, accurate and well-written reports, presentations and briefings
- Working across multiple live projects, managing priorities and deadlines
- Supporting Partners and senior colleagues with client delivery
- Maintaining high standards of accuracy, discretion and confidentiality
The role is primarily focused on research, market intelligence and due diligence, but you’ll also gain exposure to our executive search work. This may include candidate research, market mapping and, as your confidence develops, direct candidate and market engagement.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone who is
- Sharp, curious and comfortable working with detailed information
- A strong researcher with excellent attention to detail
- Able to analyse information, connect themes and distinguish useful insight from noise
- A confident and clear writer
- Comfortable speaking on the telephone and building rapport
- Organised and able to manage competing priorities
- Commercially curious and interested in understanding businesses, people and markets
- Professional and discreet when handling sensitive information
- Keen to learn and take ownership of their work
Experience in the legal sector is helpful but not essential.
We’re open to candidates from backgrounds including research, journalism, commercial intelligence, due diligence, consulting, professional services, legal services and recruitment. Recruitment experience can be useful where it has developed strong research, telephone and relationship-building skills.
Why Edward Drummond?
You’ll join a collaborative and ambitious boutique consultancy with colleagues across Bristol and London.
You’ll have direct exposure to Partners and senior colleagues, work with leading international law firms and businesses, and contribute to varied, intellectually interesting and often confidential assignments.
We offer structured learning and development, clear progression and the opportunity to build your skills across strategic research, due diligence, market intelligence and executive search.
Benefits include
- Competitive salary and annual bonus
- 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private healthcare
- Life insurance
- Hybrid working
- Pension contribution
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Regular staff events
- Structured learning and development
If you’re naturally curious, enjoy research and want to develop a career working on interesting, commercially focused projects, we’d love to hear from you.
