At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive operational excellence and process optimisation in the financial services sector.
- Company: Join a leading consultancy known for innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and health perks.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with strong focus on personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving complex operational challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial services and proven leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future. As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity. Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results. We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport. Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.
Hybrid working - our approach is to be in the office or on client site a minimum of 2 days per week. However, the actual time you spend and where you spend it will vary by role or assignment, including up to 5 days per week on a client site. This role is based at our London Victoria office.
Are you keen to work to build improvement capability and operations excellence? If so, this Operations and Improvement consultancy role could be for you! We are actively looking to recruit people at the Principal Consultant level. In the UK we work across all industries and sectors. This role will primarily be focussed on our Financial Services Sector, specifically our Banking and Wealth and Asset Management Portfolio of clients.
Our primary areas of focus are:
- Operational effectiveness and efficiency through Lean and Six Sigma techniques
- Process optimisation
- Change and implementation management
- Training development and delivery
We are seeking a talented individual with Financial Services cost optimisation and operational improvement experience. We are looking for candidates with skills and experience in the following areas:
- Core experience of delivering operational improvement across front, middle and back office service areas
- Proven experience of leading assignments and teams
- Core experience of working and delivering similar projects ideally within the Financial Services sector
- A track record of realising business benefits and outcomes
- Experience deploying advanced techniques such as digital technologies, cost improvement, and change management
- The ability to demonstrate leadership skills in large and diverse project teams
- Confidence to work across multiple levels of an organisation, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and navigate challenging discussions
- An aptitude for delivering creative as well as innovative solutions
The ideal candidate will also have:
- An interest in developing new business (this activity can take several different forms depending on relative experience and rank)
- Excellent interpersonal and team working skills; a natural integrator, comfortable navigating across system finance, service design, governance, capacity and workforce modelling and operational excellence
- A drive for personal and professional progression
- Prior consulting experience with a large consultancy firm or internal consultancy function would be highly desirable
- Lean Black Belt certified desirable
Facilitating workshops, providing compelling, evidence-based insights and helping to manage complex and senior stakeholders. We pride ourselves on partnering with clients, providing a service that delivers real and long-lasting value. Our Operations and Improvement consultants are expected to be hands-on, working together with our clients to bring energy, direction and expertise in helping to solve the most difficult operational and supply chain challenges.
In addition to the formal benefits set out below, we are passionate about the personal and career development of our consultants. Our team is committed to providing the opportunities, support, training and coaching required at all levels to ensure our consultants can all achieve their potential. We know the skill-gap and ‘somewhat need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.
Please be aware that some of our UK roles at PA Consulting require a UK security clearance. All PA people are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard however, some UK roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, where applicants must have at least 5 years of continuous residency in the UK. We therefore ask that you only apply if you meet the residency requirements (i.e. you are a British citizen or have been resident in the UK for the past 5 years), as this is the prerequisite for a security clearance. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to review the UK Government’s guidance on security vetting before applying.
Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work. Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We’re focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self. We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people.
Check out some of our extensive benefits:
- Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
- 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
- Generous company pension scheme
- Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives
- Annual performance-based bonus
- PA share ownership
- Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)
We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.
Operations and Improvement Principal Consultant - Process Optimisation in Financial Services in London employer: PA Consulting
At PA Consulting, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while providing ample opportunities for professional growth, including exposure to leading cloud technologies like AWS, Azure, and GCP. Join us in the UK, where your contributions will directly impact our client-centric solutions and be part of a team that values continuous improvement and diverse perspectives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations and Improvement Principal Consultant - Process Optimisation in Financial Services in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the financial services sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially in process optimisation. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs and how you can bring value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of your past work in operational improvement and Lean/Six Sigma techniques to the table. Demonstrating your hands-on experience will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations and Improvement Principal Consultant - Process Optimisation in Financial Services in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role. Highlight your experience in operational improvement and financial services, and show us how your skills align with what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see the impact you’ve made! Use specific examples of how you've delivered results in previous roles, especially using Lean and Six Sigma techniques.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through! We value creativity and innovative thinking, so don’t be afraid to express your unique approach to problem-solving in your application.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at PA Consulting
✨Know Your Financial Services Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in the financial services sector. Understand how operational improvement techniques like Lean and Six Sigma can be applied specifically to banking and asset management. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, especially in complex environments. Be ready to discuss how you influenced senior stakeholders and navigated challenging discussions. This will highlight your ability to lead diverse project teams effectively.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Change Management
Since this role involves change and implementation management, think about your experiences with driving change. Prepare to share specific instances where you successfully managed transitions and the outcomes that resulted from your efforts. This will illustrate your capability in delivering real business benefits.
✨Practice Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face situational questions during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process when tackling operational challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your analytical skills and innovative thinking.