Senior Manager – Cost & Productivity Consulting – Defence in Bristol

We are entering a new era for UK Defence - one that demands transformation not only in how we fight, but in how we operate, invest, and deliver value. As part of this transformation, the Defence Cost & Productivity solution group plays a critical role in enabling the UK to meet its strategic ambition: to be secure at home and strong abroad. This role sits at the heart of Defence’s response to the challenges outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025. With the UK facing heightened threats, fiscal pressures, and the imperative to restore warfighting readiness, cost optimisation and productivity are no longer optional - they are mission‑critical.

The Defence Cost & Productivity team is central to ensuring that every pound spent delivers maximum operational impact, supports affordability, and strengthens the UK’s defence posture. You will be part of a team that drives efficiency across Defence, enabling the delivery of enhanced capability and readiness through smarter investment, leaner processes, and a relentless focus on value for money. This includes supporting the Defence Reform and Efficiency Plan, unlocking savings through structural simplification, and embedding productivity metrics across programmes and portfolios.

Your Work Will Directly Contribute To:

• Reversing the ‘hollowing out’ of foundational capabilities.
• Supporting the Defence Investment Plan to ensure affordability and deliverability.
• Enabling innovation at wartime pace by aligning resources with strategic priorities.
• Strengthening Defence’s role as an engine for economic growth and national resilience.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Defence delivery—ensuring that transformation is not bold, but also sustainable, affordable, and effective.

What Your Day Will Look Like:

• Supporting the design and delivery of high‑profile, technology‑enabled Cost & Productivity programmes for UK Defence organisations.
• Leading workstreams within larger transformation initiatives, ensuring successful implementation.
• Analysing and interpreting client challenges, contributing to the development of innovative solutions.
• Managing project delivery, tracking progress, risks, and budget while ensuring high‑quality outcomes.
• Contributing to the development of Cost & Productivity methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Developing your expertise in Defence Cost & Productivity and stay ahead of emerging industry trends.

This Role Is For You If:

• You have experience working within or alongside Defence organisations, or in public sector cost transformation.
• You bring a rigorous, data‑driven approach to diagnosing complex cost and productivity challenges.
• You are comfortable working with ambiguity and can break down problems into actionable insights that drive measurable outcomes.
• You have a strong grasp of cost modelling, value analysis, and financial levers.
• You understand how to optimise cost structures without compromising operational effectiveness, and can articulate trade‑offs clearly to senior stakeholders.
• You have hands‑on experience delivering cost optimisation, productivity improvement, or transformation programmes—ideally in Defence, infrastructure, or other complex, regulated environments.
• You understand how to embed change sustainably.
• You are a confident communicator who can build trust with senior leaders, delivery teams, and external partners.
• You can challenge constructively, influence decisions, and navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.

What You’ll Receive From Us:

No matter where you may be in your career or personal life, our benefits are designed to add value and support, recognising and rewarding you fairly for your contributions. We offer a range of benefits including empowered flexibility and a working week split between office, home and client site; private medical cover and 24/7 access to a qualified virtual GP; six volunteering days a year and much more.