Assistant Director, Cost Transformation/Operational Restructuring, Operational Strategy EY-Parthenon

At EY-Parthenon (EY-P), our unique combination of transformative strategy, transactions, tax and corporate finance delivers real-world value – solutions that work in practice, not just on paper. Benefiting from EY’s full spectrum of services, we’ve reimagined strategic consulting to work in a world of increasing complexity. With deep functional and sector expertise, paired with innovative AI-powered technology and an investor mindset, we partner with CEOs, boards, private equity and governments every step of the way.

The Operational Strategy practice within EY-Parthenon provides clients with pragmatic, results-oriented solutions that drive efficiency and performance improvement, helping solve their most significant financial and operational challenges. Core pillars of our offering are Cost Transformation and Operational Restructuring, encompassing rapid transformation for organisations requiring strategic or structural change to their cost base or business performance/operations.

• Cost Transformation - including use of ‘Zero based principles’ to optimise Opex and Capex.
• Turnaround / Operational Restructuring - including accelerated cost out, crisis management.
• Fix-Sell-Close - developing and implementing strategic restructuring options for underperforming subsidiaries, geographies or business areas.
• Value Realisation - hands-on management of delivery and financial impacts in cost reduction and/or turnaround programmes.

Our teams work closely with executive leadership (across most sectors) to identify impactful performance improvement opportunities, develop actionable delivery plans, and lead/support implementation at pace.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Advise clients across a variety of sectors, supporting key decision makers in developing and implementing strategic transformations.
• Lead project delivery teams, working with senior client stakeholders within tight timeframes.
• Produce clear, concise, executive-ready reports and recommendations.
• Operate with a high degree of independence, owning cost transformation and operational restructuring workstreams end-to-end.
• Play a leading role in new business development efforts by supporting on pitches/pursuits.
• Help shape the Cost Transformation and/or Operational Restructuring value proposition within the wider Operational Strategy team.
• Establish, maintain and strengthen internal and external relationships.
• Take a leading role in practical efforts to grow the practice and in coaching junior team members.

Skills And Attributes For Success:

• Project Delivery – Ability to lead project delivery teams, driving transformational change at pace.
• Financial Analysis – Excellent financial analysis skills, including ability to oversee/review analysis of other team members.
• Business and Commercially Driven – Track record for working in a fast-paced environment.
• Value Creation – Ability to identify key strategic priorities/challenges facing clients.
• Report Writing – Ability to produce clear, concise, and client-ready reports.
• Business Development – Credibility to support business origination.
• Learning – Strong desire to develop technical and personal skills.
• Stakeholder management and communication – Ability to effectively engage and manage stakeholders.
• Role Model – Enthusiasm and ability to act as a role model supporting the development of junior team members.

To qualify for the role you must have:

• Professional services / consulting experience in cost reduction programmes, zero-based budgeting, value realisation, capex and opex cost optimisation.
• Operational Restructuring experience in turnaround, strategic options assessments, crisis management, and/or exit/closure implementations.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to link operational analysis to financial statements.

Ideally, you’ll also have:

• Experience in building strong working relationships with senior clients.
• Experience in supporting sales and business development processes.
• A track record of successful project delivery in corporate businesses.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

What We Offer You:

We will fuel your ambition and potential with future-focused skills development that equips you with state-of-the-art methodologies and technology-enabled solutions. With more than 25,000 people in 150 countries, you will join an inclusive and empowering culture that values your uniqueness, prioritises your wellbeing, and immerses you in the diverse thinking and cross-cultural experiences necessary to help deliver impact to clients across the globe.