Manager, Commercial and Market Strategy in Oxford

Palladium Digital Group is the evidence-led technology consultancy for private equity investors, portfolio companies and corporates. We help clients understand markets, assess technology, build digital capability, execute growth and navigate AI with confidence, grounded in original research and specialist digital analytics and delivered by senior, practitioner-led teams from start to finish.

The Role

Palladium’s Value Creation division turns evidence into measurable commercial outcomes, spanning sales and marketing acceleration, product and technology execution, and AI and data transformation. We're looking for a Manager to join Value Creation who combines rigorous research and analytical delivery with genuine commercial instinct. You will own delivery on the workstreams you lead, with Senior Manager or Director support on more complex engagements. The role involves translating client briefs into structured research and analytical approaches, running that work to a high standard, and drawing out clear implications for the client rather than simply reporting findings. Alongside delivery, you will play an active supporting role in how the business grows accounts and wins new work: spotting follow-on opportunities, contributing to proposals, and building a network of client contacts that extends beyond your immediate project. Progression in this role means increasing independence on more complex engagements, a growing role in shaping how work is scoped rather than just delivered, and moving from supporting business development to taking a more active, independent part in it.

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Analytical Delivery
  • Translate client briefs into well-scoped workstreams with a clear research and analytical approach, then design and iterate that approach as the work progresses.
  • Lead primary research e.g. expert and stakeholder interviews, market intelligence gathering, structured discussion guides, alongside desktop research and quantitative analysis.
  • Lead analysis sessions on your workstreams: facilitate the room, synthesise findings, and drive toward a coherent narrative.
  • Produce commercially grounded outputs that go beyond summarising findings to draw out implications for the client, to a high standard that requires minimal revision.
• Client Delivery
  • Own day-to-day client contact on your workstreams: proactive written updates, prompt responses to emerging issues, and keeping clients oriented on progress.
  • Build trust through reliable execution and transparent communication; adapt your approach to different client dynamics and levels of experience.
  • Track the commercial aspects of the projects you lead, including utilisation and budget, and raise risks with your Director in good time.
  • Facilitate workshop sessions in a client environment, with support from Senior Managers and Directors.
• Commercial & Market Strategy
  • Identify and raise account development and follow-on work opportunities with your Senior Manager or Director.
  • Support Senior Managers and Directors with proposal writing, contributing specific sections, research and market analysis.
  • Play a supporting role in business development meetings and sales conversations, bringing subject matter expertise and following up on actions.
  • Build contacts in client organisations beyond the immediate product, recognising that relationships are the foundation of future work.
• Team Development
  • Build and lead a focused, motivated project team, providing clear direction and encouragement to junior colleagues.
  • Provide timely, specific and constructive feedback to Consultants and Analysts through live project work.
• Communication
  • Communicate clearly and confidently, adapting style and content to the audience.
  • Take ownership of key sections in client presentations, developing authority in more complex settings with support.
  • Contribute to thought leadership and Palladium's external profile.

What You'll Bring

A background in a research-led strategy consultancy, insight or market intelligence environment, or a similarly analytically rigorous commercial setting, with roughly 3 to 6 years' experience. Strong command of primary and secondary research methods, including expert interviewing and structured market analysis, and the judgment to know when desktop research alone will not answer the client's question. Demonstrated exposure to commercial or business development activity: proposal input, account development, or client relationship building beyond pure delivery. Excellent written and verbal communication, and the confidence to present findings to senior client stakeholders. Experience managing or developing junior team members, or clear readiness to take this on.