At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and evolve delivery functions across a large, complex customer base.
- Company: Dynamic consultancy focused on public sector delivery.
- Benefits: Salary up to £105,000, hybrid working, and senior leadership opportunities.
- Other info: High-visibility role with a focus on continuous improvement and modern tooling.
- Why this job: Shape delivery practices and make a direct impact on customer outcomes.
- Qualifications: Significant senior delivery leadership experience in regulated sectors.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Clearance: SC Eligible
Type: Permanent
Salary: Up to £105,000 (DOE)
Travel: Hybrid – remote with travel to London/South West
iO Associates are working with a consultancy in their search for an experienced Head of Delivery to lead and evolve their delivery function across a large, complex customer base. You’ll be responsible for shaping and unifying a delivery function that spans both project and service delivery, driving consistency, stronger governance, and improved performance across a large portfolio. You will lead a small team of delivery professionals and act as a senior escalation point for delivery, commercial and customer issues. This is a hands‑on leadership role, balancing strategic ownership with active involvement in complex delivery challenges. You’ll also play a key role in improving delivery practices, introducing better tooling, and driving continuous improvement across ways of working.
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end delivery performance across a large Public Sector portfolio, ensuring strong outcomes across cost, quality and SLAs
- Oversee delivery governance, forecasting, reporting and assurance across multiple contracts
- Act as senior escalation point for complex delivery, commercial and customer issues
- Lead, coach and develop a team of delivery professionals, setting clear standards and ways of working
- Drive continuous improvement across delivery operations, including tooling, automation and cross-functional alignment, and support mobilisation and bid activity where required
Skills & Experience
- Significant senior delivery leadership experience within consultancy, systems integration or technology services
- Experience working within Central Government, Defence or similarly regulated sectors
- Strong understanding of delivery governance, risk, assurance and reporting
- Experience managing multi-contract, multi-customer delivery portfolios
- Experience leading and developing delivery teams and coaching delivery managers
- Commercial awareness including forecasting, margin, contracts and change control
- Strong understanding of Agile, hybrid and waterfall delivery methodologies
- Experience operating in complex, fast-paced and ambiguous environments
- Exposure to UK Government delivery frameworks or assurance processes
- Experience introducing or improving tooling (e.g. Power BI, Jira, Azure DevOps, Microsoft 365 / Copilot)
- ITIL and/or ISO standards (20000, 27001, 9001)
- Experience supporting bids, mobilisation and large-scale transformation programmes
What’s on Offer
- Salary up to £105,000 depending on experience
- Hybrid working (London / Bristol) with flexibility
- Senior leadership role within a large-scale Public Sector portfolio
- Opportunity to shape and unify a delivery function
- High-visibility role with direct impact on customer outcomes and business performance
- Strong focus on modern delivery practices, tooling and continuous improvement
If you’re currently operating in a senior delivery leadership role within consultancy, systems integration or managed services and have experience leading complex, multi-customer portfolios within regulated environments, please don’t hesitate to apply now!
Head of Delivery employer: IO Associates
Join a forward-thinking consultancy that prioritises employee growth and innovation in the heart of London and the South West. With a strong emphasis on hybrid working, you will enjoy a flexible work environment while leading a dedicated team to drive impactful delivery across a large Public Sector portfolio. The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and modern practices, ensuring that you have the tools and support needed to excel in your role and make a significant difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Delivery
✨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 Head of Delivery at IO Associates!
✨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 IO Associates or be willing to refer you for that Head of Delivery 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 IO Associates who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Delivery 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 Head of Delivery role at IO Associates!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Delivery
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 IO Associates. 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 IO Associates
✨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 IO Associates. 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!
