Assistant Manager - Defence Consulting in Bristol

We help the Ministry of Defence to solve a wide range of challenges including business or operating model change; strategy development; strategic cost reduction and cost management; performance and operational improvement; and investment decision support. The nature of projects we deliver is highly varied, which means we need team members to demonstrate an ability to continually adapt and grow their skills and knowledge. This is a high impact role that directly supports the UK’s Defence and Security Enterprise. The role will be subject to MOD and UK Govt public sector governance and controls. Due to the nature of the work, it is essential that applicants are able and willing to undergo security clearance processes, if they do not already hold a valid UK government clearance.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of workstreams to generate clear, concise and accurate analysis and client deliverables using MS Office software, especially PowerPoint and Excel.
• Work within integrated KPMG and client teams to develop solutions from cost optimisation through to organisation design.
• Work collaboratively with client teams in the development and delivery of our recommendations.
• Contribute to thought leadership, knowledge sharing and communities of interest within our team.
• Contribute to the development of Defence Consulting credentials and proposals.
• Supervise and develop less experienced team members.
• Develop structured approaches to identify and analyse client problems, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
• Turn analysis into practical, evidence‑led recommendations for change and improvement.

Stakeholder Interaction & Challenges

• Regular interactions with KPMG leadership as well as Ministry of Defence military and civilian personnel.
• Work in client‑facing teams, delivering to agreed deadlines and budgets under pressure.
• The ability to form productive relationships with stakeholders at all levels is critical.
• With 20 sites across the UK, we can potentially facilitate office work, working from home, flexible hours, and part‑time options.

We are seeking talented individuals who have proven themselves within a consulting environment or equivalent and have a demonstrable track record of turning data into insight or working within strategic change programmes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience within a consulting environment, or similar in industry or public sector, delivering strategic change or transformation.
• The ability to use data to develop insight and help contextualise solutions to Defence clients.
• A track record of developing great working relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, presentation).
• Clear record of achievement in a leading consulting firm or demonstrable experience of any of the following: operating model design and implementation, strategy development, cost optimisation, business case production or performance and operational improvement.
• An understanding of the Defence sector and challenges faced by both government and industry is desirable.
• Flexibility to travel to both KPMG offices and client sites around the UK.

Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people.

About KPMG

KPMG’s Defence Consulting practice is a market‑leading team within the UK consulting market. We advise government clients on their largest, most complex, and highest‑profile strategic issues. Our team combines deep sector insight, expert consulting capabilities and trusted client relationships to design and implement solutions that span all aspects of our clients’ operations. KPMG’s Defence Consulting team comprises over 70 team members. You will provide support and subject matter knowledge for defined workstreams and providing support for the KPMG Engagement Manager and your client. You will likely be working in cross‑disciplinary teams of consultants supported by sub‑contractors and members of the client’s own staff. Defence is one of KPMG’s key priority sectors and we are a fast‑growing team focused on developing solutions for clients facing hard budgetary choices, broad transformation agendas and an ever‑changing threat landscape.