The Role
Analyze client, market, sector, and competitor data to identify trends and business development opportunities. Build Power BI dashboards and reports, conduct market research, monitor tender opportunities, and provide actionable intelligence for strategic decision-making. The role also explores AI and technology improvements for business development activity and communicates findings to non-technical stakeholders.
Summary Generated by Built In
At Porter Dodson, we're investing in a new and exciting capability within our Marketing & Business Development team and have an opportunity for a Legal Research Assistant to work on a hybrid basis in either our Taunton, Yeovil or Exeter office on a full time, permanent basis.
We're looking for a curious, analytical and commercially minded individual who loves working with data, uncovering insights and helping shape business decisions. This is not a traditional sales or networking role. Instead, you'll become the driving force behind the market intelligence and data analysis that supports our future growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Collect and analyse client, market and sector data.
- Identify trends, opportunities and competitor activity.
- Build and maintain dashboards and reports using Power BI and Microsoft tools.
- Conduct market research and targeted prospect analysis.
- Support strategic business development initiatives through data-led insights.
- Monitor tender and bid opportunities.
- Provide meaningful intelligence to support decision-making across the firm.
- Help identify new ways to use technology, data and AI to improve business development activity.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
We’re interested in hearing from candidates who enjoy solving problems, finding answers in data and helping others make informed decisions and have a real interest in the legal sector. You’ll be naturally curious and enjoy asking questions, investigating information and working things out. You’ll have a genuine interest in the legal sector and be keen to develop your understanding of how research, data and technology are used within a professional services environment.
You’ll ideally be:
- Analytical, inquisitive and comfortable working through problems to find answers.
- Research-focused, with strong attention to detail.
- Confident working with information and able to identify what is relevant and useful.
- Comfortable learning new systems, tools and technologies.
- Able to work independently and take ownership of research tasks.
- A clear communicator who can explain findings in a straightforward way.
- Proactive, adaptable and willing to explore new approaches.
- Interested in developing a broader understanding of the legal and commercial environment.
Experience
You don’t need to have experience across all of the areas below. The role is designed to give you the opportunity to build this knowledge and experience. Exposure to, or an interest in, any of the following would be beneficial:
- Legal research or academic research.
- Data analysis, business intelligence or working with datasets.
- Market intelligence, competitor research or sector analysis.
- CRM systems, databases or information management.
- Microsoft 365 applications, Power BI or similar technology.
- Reporting, dashboards and data visualisation.
- Professional services, legal, financial services or other commercial environments.
- AI tools and emerging technologies, such as Co-pilot.
Desirable
Previous experience or an interest in:
- Conducting structured research and presenting findings.
- Market or competitor intelligence.
- Working with data to identify trends or insights.
- Creating reports, dashboards or visualisations.
- Using AI tools to support research and improve efficiency.
- Understanding how organisations make commercial decisions and how customer or client journeys influence those decisions.
Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, you will also get:
- Flexible Working
- 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays
- Extra Day of Holiday for your Birthday
- Private Healthcare
- Pension Scheme(s)
- Life Assurance
- Eye Tests
- Flu Jabs
- Corporate Gym Membership Discounts
- Legal Support
- Opportunities to get involved with charity fundraising, sports teams and office socials
About
Porter Dodson is an award-winning Top 200 UK Law Firm, providing commercial and private legal services to individuals and businesses across Somerset, Devon and Dorset.We're proud of a regional presence that gives clients the local connections and friendly in-person service they love. Being embedded in our local communities and market sectors gives our clients a superb service grounded in the real world.What makes Porter Dodson a great place to work is our people and our culture. Our team are the lifeblood of the firm, and we are fully committed to ensuring our team are motivated, well cared for, and fulfilling their potential at work. Our people are our priority, which is why we have such excellent staff retention rates and how we have sustained a gold accreditation from Investors in People since 2016.
Skills Required
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work with large datasets
- Data analysis or business intelligence experience
- Market research and competitor analysis experience
- CRM systems and data management experience
- Power BI and Microsoft 365 experience
- Reporting, dashboard creation, and data visualization experience
- Clear communication with non-technical stakeholders
- Professional services, legal, financial services, or similar commercial experience
- Market intelligence or competitor research experience
- Experience with AI tools such as Copilot
- Understanding of sales funnels, conversion funnels, and customer journeys
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The Company
What We Do
Porter Dodson is a full-service law firm providing expert legal advice and support across personal, business, and specialist sectors, helping clients navigate everything from family matters to corporate transactions.
