Founder's Associate​/Graduate Assistant

Bradshaw Advisory is a boutique policy, public affairs, economics and strategic communications consultancy. Our work sits where business meets government. We help clients help government, from major infrastructure and the built environment to trade and corporate reputation.

We're small, senior and ambitious, and the projects we take on reach decision-makers at the very top of industry and politics.

We're looking for a Founder's Associate to work directly alongside our CEO. This is a rare front-row seat: the kind of role where you'll see the ups and downs of growing a business, how a consultancy actually wins and delivers work, sit in rooms most people your stage of career don't get near, and take on real responsibilities early on.

No two weeks look the same, but you can expect to:

• Research and brief - pulling together sharp, well-sourced notes on policy, sectors, companies and people ahead of meetings and pitches.
• Draft and shape - helping write client memos, policy papers, proposals, decks and correspondence that go out under the firm's name.
• Support business development - tracking prospects, preparing and undertaking outreach, and helping move opportunities from first conversation to signed engagement.
• Help run the moving parts - coordinating projects, events and high‑profile initiatives, keeping trackers and timelines.
• Be in the room - joining meetings, taking the actions away, and following them through.
• Deliver - deliver projects and tasks for clients.

You’ll be the CEO's 'righthand person' and a key part of the team. The remit will grow and change.

This role will suit either an ambitious recent graduate with some work experience or someone with a year or two of experience in a management consultancy who's ready for more. What matters most isn't a particular CV, it's that you:

• Write clearly and quickly, and care about getting things right.
• Are curious about politics, business and how decisions get made.
• Stay organised and unflappable when several things are live at once.
• Take ownership - you chase up loose end rather than waiting to be asked.
• Are good with people, discreet with sensitive material, and comfortable around senior figures.
• Want to help a business grow and are prepared for the ups and downs of being in a small firm.

A background or strong interest in public affairs, economics, infrastructure, communications or policy is a plus, but we care more about aptitude and attitude than a specific degree.

• £30,000–£38,000, depending on experience for four days a week (£37.5-47.5k FTE salary).
• A genuine seat at the table in a growing (we have grown every year to date), well‑regarded firm.
• Exposure to senior clients and high-profile work you simply wouldn't get most places.
• Mentoring directly from the founder, and a clear path to grow.
• A nice co‑working space at Beehive Lofts in Ancoats.
• Private healthcare and employee assistance programme.