At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of 20 Professional People Managers to enhance people management across the firm.
- Company: Join Grant Thornton, a forward-thinking firm focused on high-performance culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Embrace flexibility and contribute fresh ideas in a supportive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of people management in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience and a passion for developing high-performing teams.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are creating a Senior Associate Director role responsible for all Professional People Managers across Grant Thornton. The role leads a team of 20 Professional People Managers and sets strategy, standards, and culture for people management at firm scale, ensuring a high-performance, supportive environment for associates across all service lines.
Responsibilities
- Hold firmwide accountability for the Professional People Manager population, setting a clear vision, strategy and operating model that spans all service lines and teams.
- Define and embed what good looks like in professional people management – establishing clear expectations, standards and outcomes so that people experience high-quality, consistent support regardless of business area.
- Lead and develop the Professional People Manager community, building capability, confidence and consistency through targeted upskilling, structured development and strong senior leadership.
- Drive a high-performance culture by strengthening the quality of performance management, feedback, early intervention and accountability across the firm – ensuring issues are addressed fairly, confidently and at pace.
- Use insight, MI and themes from across the people manager population to identify improvement opportunities – translating this into tangible action.
- Lead change at pace, evolving existing models, resetting expectations where required, embedding improvements that simplify ways of working while maintaining high levels of quality, and introducing ownership of talent management.
- Partner closely with senior leaders, influencing at a senior level and ensuring people management priorities are aligned to the firm’s people strategy and future workforce needs.
- Ensure professional people management is delivered effectively so that there is less reliance on fee earners, allowing their time to be invested in high-value activity such as meaningful career conversations and development support.
Qualifications
- Strong people leadership experience with the ability to lead, coach and performance manage a large team.
- Experience leading and transforming people management capability at scale across multiple teams or business areas.
- Strong track record of driving a high-performance culture, including upskilling managers and embedding accountability.
- Confidence managing high volume operational activity with robust governance and prioritisation.
- Experience setting and enforcing clear standards – confident in resetting expectations, challenging inconsistency and holding others to account.
- Ability to handle sensitive issues with strong personal judgement in complex scenarios.
- Excellent stakeholder management with the ability to influence and operate credibly at senior level.
- Comfortable working with ambiguity, complexity and change, and able to turn strategic intent into practical, embedded ways of working.
Flexibility
We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares; we’ll support you to balance your work and life. We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations.
Associate Director - Professional People Managers in Manchester employer: Grant Thornton UK
Grant Thornton is an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance, supportive environment for its associates. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, the firm offers targeted upskilling and structured development opportunities, ensuring that every team member can thrive. Located in a dynamic setting, Grant Thornton promotes a flexible work culture that values work-life balance, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Professional People Managers in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Grant Thornton on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their vision for Professional People Managers and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to clearly communicate your leadership style and how you can drive a high-performance culture. Keep it concise and impactful, showing how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can keep you top of mind and show your genuine interest in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Professional People Managers in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Associate Director role. Highlight your experience in leading teams and driving a high-performance culture, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our vision!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your strong people leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've coached and developed teams, as well as how you've managed performance effectively. This will help us see your potential to lead our Professional People Managers.
Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking:We’re looking for someone who can set clear visions and strategies. Use your application to illustrate how you've successfully transformed people management capabilities in previous roles. Show us how you can turn strategic intent into practical actions!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Grant Thornton UK
✨Know Your Leadership Style
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your leadership style and how it aligns with the role. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams, developed talent, and driven a high-performance culture in previous positions.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research Grant Thornton's values and culture. Think about how you can contribute to their vision for professional people management. Prepare to discuss how you would embed clear expectations and standards within their existing framework.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle complex scenarios and sensitive issues. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these situations, showcasing your judgement and ability to manage ambiguity.
✨Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in influencing senior leaders and aligning people management priorities with business strategies. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully partnered with stakeholders to drive change and improve performance.
