Principal in London

Principal in London

London Full-Time 51750 - 63250 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Forward Institute

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and design innovative leadership projects that shape the future of organisations.
  • Company: Pioneering organisation focused on responsible leadership and impactful change.
  • Benefits: Accelerated development, exposure to senior leaders, and a culture that values your contributions.
  • Other info: Inclusive recruitment process; apply with your CV and a short video response.
  • Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team that challenges norms and drives meaningful impact.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in consulting or leadership development with a focus on AI and innovation.

The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.

We are in an exciting period of growth, and we're looking for somebody to play a pivotal role in helping shape the future direction of our work with partners and take on increasing leadership responsibilities in the organisation. There is a strong sense of possibility in what we are building. We work with senior leaders on complex, often unresolved challenges. This requires curiosity, creativity, openness and a willingness to engage with difficult questions.

We are looking for someone with strong commercial instinct, intellectual rigour, and a genuine obsession with how some of the biggest leadership challenges of our time, and specifically AI will reshape organisations, leadership and society. You most likely have consulting or leadership development experience, experience building and growing something new, and the confidence to bring bold creative thinking into how senior leaders develop. You are as comfortable designing an experience as you are delivering it.

This is a role for someone ready to operate at the level of the leaders we serve, not just support them. This is a role designed to shape and grow our responsible leadership advisory practice. We are looking for someone with strong relational instincts and a deep belief in responsible leadership. You will play an active role in the growth of the organisation and the direction of our work with partners, helping identify where we should invest, build capability and deepen our impact. You will hold key accounts and lead impactful projects end to end with our partners, overseeing effective teams and contributing to our shared learning. This isn't a fixed job spec: we'll shape it with you, helping to develop your own craft and impact as you go.

Core responsibilities include:

  • Responsibility for the leadership and delivery of complex, high value projects:
  • Exceptional partner management and the delivery of project outcomes that generate high partner value and are reputation-enhancing;
  • Team leadership, development and coaching through the delivery of the project work, including team members and Associates;
  • Project budgets and P&L, and any strategic partnerships (e.g. digital providers) that are material to the delivery of the work;
  • The delivery of the work such that it creates opportunities for cross-project learning and proposition iteration.
  • Responsibility for the design of creative leadership experiences that supports senior leaders:
  • Being a central player in a core design capability to support all of our work, providing opportunities to design across programmatic interventions and bespoke advisory work;
  • Pioneering design experiences that are trying to do something different with leaders across all sectors, outside of established approaches to leadership development;
  • The evaluation and impact of the leadership interventions that support partner objectives and enhance the integrity of the FI’s mission.

About You

Mindset

  • Entrepreneurial and can exercise judgement under ambiguity
  • Commercially sharp, with a clear instinct for where value lies
  • Deeply curious about how AI will reshape organisations and leadership
  • Own and engage with ideas of responsible leadership and them across everything you do
  • Deeply relational, building trust quickly with senior leaders and teams
  • Creative, drawn to designing something new rather than following convention

Capabilities

  • Ability to lead the full life cycle of complex, high-value projects
  • Strong commercial capability, holding multiple partner accounts, leading business development conversations, proposals and pitches, and converting work
  • Strong design instinct, creating impactful leadership experiences
  • People leadership and management skills, playing a key leadership role, acting as a mentor for more junior members of the team and effectively managing diverse project teams
  • Excellent facilitation skills with senior teams
  • Ability to translate a strong intellectual framework into clear, compelling partner propositions
  • Ability to evaluate the impact of leadership interventions and demonstrate real outcomes

Experience

  • ~8+ years’ experience in strategy consulting, leadership consulting, programme design and implementation, or learning and development
  • Experience taking a proposition to market and growing it
  • Proven track record of winning work through senior relationships
  • 1 - 2 years’ experience engaging leaders with or working in AI, technology or innovation

Benefits

Every person who joins us shapes our culture and our impact. In return, we accelerate your development - fast. This is a rare opportunity: to work alongside, and get direct exposure to, senior leaders, with a mission that matters. What we're doing here is genuinely pioneering. We're not following someone else's playbook, we're writing our own, and you'll help write it.

Here you will feel opportunity: small enough that your work matters and is visible, fast-growing enough that the opportunities keep expanding. We will support you develop your mastery, autonomy and purpose at an organisation that believes work should enrich your life.

We are pragmatic idealists. We pair moral ambition with the discipline to follow through, and measure ourselves by outcomes, not intentions.

We care for the work, the people we work with, and the leaders we support. Care without courage is just comfort, so we take the work seriously, in a way that is deeply human.

We build from multiple perspectives. We work with leaders from across business, government, and civil society, and from a range of backgrounds, because difference drives better thinking.

We challenge assumptions. We ask the questions others don't. Clarity starts with curiosity, and courage means acting on it; we would rather ask the hard questions.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and a covering video (maximum 90 seconds) answering the following question: What do you think responsible leadership looks like, and why does it matter? We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

We want to make this process as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you have any access needs or specific requirements, please get in touch. Role closes on Friday 4th September and we will be interviewing on a rolling basis. You must have the right to work in the UK.

About us

Shaping a better future through responsible leadership. We believe a better future is possible, and how we get there begins with leaders. The choices they make will determine the years to come. Responsible leadership is the courageous and creative use of power to shape a better future. It is a choice, and we help leaders choose it. Through breakthrough leadership programmes, advisory interventions and our 1,500+ strong leader community we equip leaders with the mindsets, capabilities, insight and tools to transform their organisations.

Principal in London employer: Forward Institute

The Forward Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of leadership transformation in a fast-paced, high-impact environment. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and diverse perspectives, employees are empowered to drive meaningful change while enjoying competitive benefits such as private health insurance and generous holiday allowances. Join a supportive team that values your contributions and fosters professional growth, all while working towards a mission that aligns with your values and ambitions.

Forward Institute

Contact Details:

Forward Institute Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal in London

Get Involved in Industry Events

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We think you need these skills to ace Principal in London

Project Management
Partner Management
Team Leadership
Coaching Skills
Budget Management
Creative Design Skills
Facilitation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!

Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Forward Institute.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Forward Institute. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!

Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!

How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Institute

Showcase Your Leadership Style

You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Forward Institute, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.

Brush Up on Management Theories

Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Forward Institute, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.

Craft Your Vision for the Company

Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Forward Institute could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.

Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture

In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Forward Institute as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.