At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape cost strategies and drive digital transformation in a dynamic consulting environment.
- Company: Join Accenture, a global leader in strategy and consulting with a culture of innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days vacation, fitness discounts, private medical insurance, and charitable leave.
- Other info: Access to global experts and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on businesses while working with cutting-edge technology and diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic cost reduction and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: London
Career Level: Consultant to Manager (Career Level 9 to 7)
Industry/Sector: Energy, Consumer Goods & Services, Communications and Media, Insurance, Banking and Capital Markets
Functional Area: Strategic Sourcing and Cost Reduction
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. We believe in inclusion and diversity and supporting the whole person. Our core values comprise Stewardship, Best People, Client Value Creation, One Global Network, Respect for the Individual and Integrity.
Accenture Strategy shapes our clients’ future, combining deep business insight with the understanding of how technology will impact industry and business models. In joining Accenture Strategy you will drive the CEO agenda on issues related to digital disruption, competitive agility, global operating models, and workforce of the future to identify new sources of value.
Supply Chain and Operations is a major functionally-oriented strategy and consulting practice: we help our clients to identify and quantify the transformational opportunities available in today’s dynamic business environment.
Our work spans a range of value-focused operations assignments from redefining an operating model, reconfiguring national, regional or global supply chain footprint and capabilities through to global sourcing of core categories and creation of supply chain risk frameworks to ensure that potential risks are transparent and the extended supply chain is resilient.
- Strategic Cost Reduction & Working Capital
- End-to-End Supply Chain & Operation Transformation
- Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
- Sustainable Value Chain including Responsible Procurement
- Global Operating Models (SC, Procurement & GBS)
- Supply Chain Risk and Resilience
- Operations and process transformations (Prime Value Chains)
In this role you will:
- Shape and design cost and productivity programmes that form an integral part of broader transformation programmes
- Provide insights on cost drivers and recommend strategies to enhance financial sustainability
- Conduct detailed spend analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities across business functions
- Develop financial models to assess cost structures, budget variances, and savings potential - leveraging industry sources and benchmarks where necessary
- Optimise supplier contracts and procurement strategies to secure cost-effective agreements
- Conduct vendor benchmarking and identify potential future negotiations to drive savings
- Identify opportunities for AI, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), and digital transformation to optimise costs
- Work cross-functionally with finance, operations, and procurement teams to implement cost strategies
- Collaborate with senior leadership to align cost-saving initiatives with business goals
- Support implementation of best practices to manage indirect / direct spend more effectively
Experience at a top tier or boutique consulting firm or at a leading company with a combination of technical / operational and management / business development / strategy roles and a strong focus on cost management.
Good understanding of Supply Chain and Operations and one or more of the following industries; Energy (Oil & Gas, Mining), Consumer Goods & Services, Financial Services (Banking and Capital Markets), Life Sciences.
Experience in strategic cost reduction and cost takeout initiatives, including through procurement/sourcing spend reduction.
Competence in driving/applying productivity and efficiency levers.
Proficiency in financial modeling, data analytics, and reporting tools (Excel, Power BI preferred but not required).
Experience with cost frameworks (e.g. ZBB, should-cost, value engineering) is a plus.
Experience of research, quantitative analysis and structured problem solving.
Experience of building relationships at all levels in an organisation.
Experience working in diverse teams in complex strategy/consulting engagements, delivering high-quality output in short timeframes.
An interest in commercial capability, selling and managing multiple projects.
Set yourself apart:
- Masters in Business Administration or Supply Chain from a top-tier school
- Experience in top leading consulting firm or working with strategic leadership within client industry
- Accounting/Management Accounting certification or demonstrated strong experience working with financial statements and cost management to allow precise measurement of the financial impact of your work
- Ability to understand complex issues, quickly absorb information and work creatively
- Experience in how technology and digital can contribute to solving business problems
- Experience in building and managing diverse teams in complex strategy/consulting engagements, delivering high-quality output in short timeframes
- Experience of developing & mentoring junior practitioners
- Experience of leading meetings and presentations
What’s in it for you:
At Accenture in addition to a competitive basic salary, you will also have an extensive benefits package which includes 30 days of vacation per year, access to app based fitness classes and discounts on a range of gyms, private medical insurance and three days leave per year for charitable work of your choice!
Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialised skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services—all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centres.
We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities.
Strategy Director / Advisor in London employer: Accenture
Accenture is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture in London that fosters innovation and collaboration. With competitive benefits like 30 days of vacation, access to fitness classes, and private medical insurance, employees are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance while also having ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the rapidly evolving field of AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy Director / Advisor in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Strategy Director / Advisor at Accenture!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Accenture or be willing to refer you for that Strategy Director / Advisor position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Accenture who’s on the lookout for their next Strategy Director / Advisor star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Strategy Director / Advisor role at Accenture!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy Director / Advisor in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Accenture. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Accenture
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Accenture. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
