Principal HR Consultant in London

AAB is a leading professional services firm operating across the UK, Ireland, and the USA. We specialise in the mid‐market, supporting individuals, family businesses, and organisations with a full suite of services including audit, tax, corporate finance, payroll, people consultancy, and wealth management. With 1,000+ team members, we deliver expert support to clients all over the world.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We succeed together as one team, building strong client relationships through passion, empathy, and straightforward advice. That’s what makes AAB different. We invest in brilliant talent across every area of the business, offering tailored training, professional qualifications, and continuous support to help you grow. Your growth matters to us. We’ll give you the tools, encouragement, and opportunities to lead, learn, and make an impact. Guided by our six core values, we foster a culture where collaboration, trust, and enthusiasm thrive.

At AAB, your career is what you make it. We are here to help you turn ambition into action, whether that’s becoming a technical expert, a future leader, or someone who simply makes a difference every day. If you’re ready to be part of a team that’s united by purpose and driven by values, we’d love to hear from you.

We take our responsibility seriously. From reducing our environmental impact, to supporting education through training and talent programmes, to giving back to our local communities with our charitable initiative ABBIE – ESG is part of who we are.

Role Purpose Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Client Consulting & Delivery: Maintain and grow an HR Consulting client portfolio, delivering commercially focused HR consulting across a wide range of issues including ER, organisational change, leadership development, HR strategy, and project work. Bring fresh thinking and insight to clients to help develop their approach to HR and drive meaningful business outcomes. Support with complex client challenges and provide oversight on quality of delivery for key accounts. Build long‐term, trusted relationships, proactively identifying opportunities for further support across the Employment, Pay & People offering.
• Business Development & Market Growth: Work closely with the Partner and Employment, Pay & People team to drive growth in the London market, supporting service proposition development, strategic planning, pipeline management, and new‐client acquisition. Attend and lead client meetings, prepare proposals, and contribute to pricing discussions for HR consulting work. Build strong internal relationships across the AAB Group to maximise cross‐selling opportunities and raise the profile of AAB in the London region. Represent AAB externally through networking, events, professional groups, and thought leadership.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Act as a senior subject‐matter expert and role model within the London team, supporting with complex client queries and offering guidance when needed. Line management for one team member fully dedicated to a client, and in time building and managing a team in London as the client portfolio grows. Contribute to developing capability within the team, helping to upskill colleagues through coaching, knowledge sharing, and project collaboration. Act as a central point of communication for day‐to‐day service matters within the London region. Maintain up‐to‐date knowledge of employment law, HR practice, and emerging trends to ensure best‐in‐class service.
• Operational Excellence: Ensure operational KPIs and SLAs are achieved, working closely with the Partner and Employment, Pay & People leadership team to prioritise quality, client satisfaction, and commercial outcomes. Collaborate with Operations to support accurate forecasting, capacity planning, and timely invoicing/credit control. Monitor risks and opportunities relating to clients, service delivery, and market trends, escalating where needed.

Experience & Qualifications Skills & Attributes

• Bring strong theoretical knowledge and practical HR consulting experience across a range of sectors.
• Are energised by client delivery and business growth, with excellent commercial awareness.
• Are confident, solutions‐focused, and able to simplify complex issues for clients.
• Communicate with clarity, warmth, and professionalism, and thrive in a collaborative environment.
• Demonstrate agility and adaptability in a fast‐paced environment.
• Can lead through influence, supporting and inspiring colleagues.
• Produce thought leadership, contribute ideas, and look for ways to continuously improve our service.

Further Details

This is a full‐time role based in London, with flexibility to work between our office and home. Travel across London and occasional UK travel will be required for client meetings and team engagements.

What AAB Offer

We want you to feel supported inside and outside of work. That’s why we offer a benefits package designed for your wellbeing, lifestyle, and career.

• Time Off & Family Support: Annual leave (plus public holidays), with the option to buy or carry over leave. Enhanced parental leave (maternity, paternity, adoption). Paid volunteering day to support causes that matter to you.
• Health & Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance (PMI) for you and the option to cover family members. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support. Death in Service benefit.
• Financial Security: Competitive pension scheme. Life assurance policies to support you and your family.
• Flexible & Agile Working: Hybrid working model. Agile working culture that supports flexible hours and smarter working. Modern office spaces designed for collaboration, focus, and wellbeing.