At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic projects and deliver impactful solutions in a hands-on role.
- Company: Join Co-Lab, a consultancy focused on clarity and measurable outcomes.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a solid pension contribution.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and growth within a supportive team.
- Why this job: Tackle complex challenges and make a real difference in communities and industries.
- Qualifications: Experience in regulated environments and strong stakeholder engagement skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 69500 £ per year.
Location: Whitehaven, Cumbria (In-Person, Office-Based)
Security Clearance: SC Clearance – Mandatory
Salary: £48,000 – £69,500 (dependent on experience and level)
Benefits: 6% employer pension contribution, 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
About Co‑Lab
Co‑Lab exists to make progress clear. We work with public bodies, industry, and communities to connect evidence, decisions, and delivery, ensuring that outcomes are visible, measurable, and endure. Our work spans the full lifecycle from defining strategic direction, through decision intelligence and assurance, into delivery systems, performance management, and benefits realisation. We operate where thinking meets doing, ensuring analysis leads to action and ideas become outcomes.
The Role
We are seeking a Senior or Principal Consultant to strengthen our delivery and advisory capability. This role is suited to an experienced consultant or delivery leader who is comfortable owning outcomes, working in complex and regulated environments, and engaging directly with senior stakeholders. You will lead defined workstreams or whole engagements, depending on experience, taking responsibility for delivery performance, technical integrity, and stakeholder confidence. The role is hands‑on and in‑person, based from our Whitehaven offices, with regular engagement across West Cumbria and client sites.
What You Will Do
- Your Work Will Span Co‑Lab’s Core Engagement Types
- Strategy, Clarity & Decision Support (Define / Decide)
- Support organisations to define priorities, direction, and delivery pathways
- Lead or contribute to evidence‑based appraisal, optioneering, and decision analysis
- Develop clear strategies, operating models, and governance structures grounded in evidence
- Delivery & Performance Management (Deliver)
- Own delivery of defined workstreams or engagements, translating objectives into outcomes
- Establish delivery controls, reporting cadence, and risk and issue management
- Ensure delivery meets agreed scope, quality, cost, time, and assurance expectations
- Capability, Benefits & Improvement (Realise / Improve)
- Design and embed performance and benefits frameworks
- Support learning, evaluation, and continuous improvement
- Ensure outcomes are evidenced, reviewed, and sustained beyond project closure
Accountability & Scope
At Senior Consultant Level, You Will:
- Own delivery of defined workstreams or small engagements
- Operate independently within agreed remit
- Manage routine client and stakeholder relationships
- Contribute to opportunity shaping and follow‑on work
At Principal Consultant Level, You Will Also:
- Be accountable for engagement‑level delivery across multiple workstreams
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders
- Shape scope, pricing, and delivery approach
- Secure repeat and expanded work with existing clients
- Coach and develop others, strengthening capability and succession
Essential Requirements
- Must either hold, or be able to obtain, SC Clearance
- Proven experience delivering work in regulated or safety‑critical environments
- Ability to own delivery outcomes, including governance, risk, and assurance
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Willingness and ability to work in‑person from Whitehaven
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience working with or alongside Sellafield Ltd or within the nuclear sector
- An engineering or technical background
- Experience across strategy, delivery, performance, or assurance roles
- Familiarity with public sector, infrastructure, or complex programme environments
Professional Standards & Development
Project Management
Co‑Lab operates a structured capability framework aligned to SFIA and ISO people and competence management principles. Professional development expectations align to role level and may include:
- APM PMQ (Senior and Principal)
- Programme Management
- MSP Foundation (Senior)
- MSP Practitioner (Principal)
- Change Management
- Change Management Foundation (Senior)
- Change Management Practitioner (Principal)
- Continuous Improvement
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Senior)
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Principal)
- Professional Registration
- Working towards Chartered status (Senior)
- Chartered professional status (Principal)
Why Co‑Lab
- Work on complex, meaningful challenges with real-world impact
- Operate with clear accountability and professional trust
- Be part of a growing consultancy rooted in Cumbria’s engineering and innovation ecosystem
- Develop within a transparent, standards‑led capability framework
- Deliver work that leaves organisations stronger, not dependent
Senior / Principal Consultant in Whitehaven employer: Co-Lab
Co-Lab is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Whitehaven, Cumbria, where you can tackle complex challenges that have a real-world impact. With a strong focus on professional development and a transparent capability framework, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive while contributing to meaningful outcomes. The company fosters a culture of accountability and trust, ensuring that your work not only meets high standards but also strengthens the organisations you engage with.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior / Principal Consultant in Whitehaven
✨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 Senior / Principal Consultant at Co-Lab!
✨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 Co-Lab or be willing to refer you for that Senior / Principal Consultant 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 Co-Lab who’s on the lookout for their next Senior / Principal Consultant 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 Senior / Principal Consultant role at Co-Lab!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior / Principal Consultant in Whitehaven
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 Co-Lab. 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 Co-Lab
✨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 Co-Lab. 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!
