Senior Principal - People Performance (Talent)

The purpose of the role is to lead the delivery of high-impactengagements in thepeople performance space,spanning across culture transformation, talent strategy and execution, team effectiveness, leadershipdevelopmentand broader capability development.The individual is expected to also contributematerially to the growth and evolution of Q5’sPeople Performance Service.Thisrole combines senior client delivery, trusted-advisor relationships, and commercial contribution, witha focus onexpanding and augmentingexisting accounts, supportingnew business,connecting people performance to other Q5 services (strategy, design, transformation)and helping toscale theservicethroughproposition developmentand thought leadership.

This isa seniorleadership role combiningproject delivery,intellectual leadership,andbusiness development. The postholder willinput intothePeople Performance’sstrategic direction,build market-leading propositions across the full breadth ofthe service.

This role is suited to asenior organisational development practitionerwho combines deep technicalexpertiseacross areas intalent,culture, leadership developmentand team effectivenesswith strong client credibility and commercial awareness. A specialism and deep experience in talent strategy and execution is important as this has been identified as a focus growth area for the People PerformanceService.

Balance of activities:~70% client delivery;~30%propositionand business development

There are three core focus areasfor this role:

• Project/Client AccountLeadership and Delivery

• BusinessDevelopment & Commercial Contribution

• Proposition & Thought LeadershipacrossQ5’sPeople Performance Service

Success Measures

The success of this role will be measuredby:

• Delivery of high-quality, high-impact engagements with strong client advocacy

• Tangible contribution to growing thePeople Performance Servicerevenue

• Development of propositions(and enhancing existing solutions)that connect people performance to the other Q5 services

• Expansion of existing client accounts and repeat business

• Recognised internally and by clients forcontribution to propositions and thought leadership

• Feedback on leadership, collaboration, and capability building

Responsibilities

Project/Client Account Leadership and Delivery

• Lead the design and delivery of complexclientengagements

• Lead engagementsin the space oftalentstrategy and execution, culturetransformation,talent,team effectiveness,leadershipdevelopmentand broader capability development initiatives, whererequired

• Act as the senior day‑to‑day client lead on major projects,building trusted-advisor relationshipswith senior HR and business leaders

• Ensure programmes deliver measurable impact, align to client strategy, and meethigh standardsof quality

• Lead and coordinate delivery teams(consultants, associates,andclients), setting clear direction and ensuring delivery excellence.

• Provide SME and QA support toa portfolio of projectswhere you are not the lead practitioner

• Contribute to building ascalable delivery capabilityin line with client demand,including technical tools and partnerships

• Mentor and coach consultantsand associates working onpeople performanceengagements. Support onboarding and upskilling of new team memberswithin thePeople Performance service (and beyond)

• Ensureconsistent applicationof diagnostics,assessments, measurement tools, and evaluation approaches

• Contribute tocontinuous improvementof delivery processes, tools, and client experience

BusinessDevelopment & Commercial Contribution

• Contribute tosolution design,proposals andclosing of major opportunities,shaping insight-led, commercially robust solutions

• Collaborate with Q5rs in key accounts todrivecross‑sellingand integrated client solutions, including working with Q5 Sector Leads to support origination

• Take shared responsibility forrevenue contribution, utilisation, and marginfor accounts

• Support the growth of thePeople Performance Servicebyexpanding existing client accountsandidentifyingfollow‑on opportunitiesacrossourportfolioofexpertise.

• Apply sound commercial judgement to scoping, resourcing, and delivery decisions

Proposition &Thought Leadership

• Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of the firm’sPeople Performancepropositions, tools, and methodologies,particularly in the space of talent strategy.

• Useexternal insight (research, market trends, client learning)and form external partnershipsforproposition evolution

• Support thought leadershipthrough case studies, articles, events, and internal knowledge sharing

• Work closely withthe other Service Leads (design, transformation,strategy)to ensure propositionsremaindifferentiatedand integrated with other Q5 services

Experience

• Significant experienceintalent, culture transformation,talent,leadership and team effectiveness work– deliveringengagementsthroughconsultancy

• Experience working withC‑suiteleaders ontalent,culture, performance, talentand leadershipchallenges

• Exposure to commercial environments, including account growth or revenue contribution

Skills & Capabilities

• Deepexpertiseintalent (including development of capability frameworks, people and talent strategies, leadership assessments),organisational culture(including diagnostic, activation, and measurement approaches), leadershipand teamdevelopment (including effective measurement of impact and facilitation for senior audiences)

• Excellentfacilitation and consulting skills,building credibilitythrough insight, judgement, and delivery

• Ability to connectorganisational developmentwork to business strategy and performance outcomes

• Analytical and evidence‑led, comfortable using data to inform insight and measure impact

• Collaborative leader with the ability to develop others and workon a portfolio of clients

Qualificationspreferred

• Relevant degree or postgraduate qualification (e.g. Psychology, Business, HR, OD)

• Professional accreditation in coaching, facilitation, culture diagnostics,psychometricsor related disciplines desirable

The sort of person we look for at Q5

Highly adaptable and flexible in thinking style – We often find ourselves working across a variety of contexts and a ‘simple’ challenge turns out to be much more complex than it first appears. You need to be able to quickly join the dots together and develop a plan to move forward. You also need to be able to adapt that plan when it is not working. Collaborative in working style – This is one of our key differentiators. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room but instead helping to bring different stakeholders together to create a solution that works for the business. There is a “we” not “I” mindset Genuinely care about your clients and colleagues and help them to succeed– When Q5 was founded it was to be more than a typical, transactional consulting firm. We are genuine partners with our clients focused on their long-term success, which means we hire people who a wired to care, be empathetic and get joy from seeing others succeed. Can build trusted relationships and bring people on the journey– One of the things our clients say about us is that we are able to bring people together and take them on the journey. This role will require building (and sustaining) people trust and engaging key people in the business to craft the right answer Resilient in the face of challenges, tight timelines and demanding clients – We continually strive to create a positive working environment, but the reality of our work is that it is hard and therefore not for everyone. The people who succeed at Q5 can work under the pressure without losing their sense of humour or care for others. You get your hands dirty and step‑up – We have a flat structure. If you enjoy getting stuck into a client’s challenge, pushing the team forward and solving problems with others you will thrive. We pride ourselves on developing our junior team members and creating supportive environments where people can bring their true selves to work (and in turn do their best work). We're firm believers that everyone needs to roll up their sleeves to get the job done! Unique and offers something special – We don’t do cookie‑cutter or formulaic and we need people who think differently, are intensely curious about solving our clients’ problems and stand‑out from the crowd.

Finance

• Performance Related Bonus
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Assurance and Income Protection
• New Starter Loan

Health & Wellbeing

• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to Digital GP and Wellbeing Apps
• Internal Wellbeing Programme

Family & Lifestyle

• Electric Car and Cycle to Work Schemes
• Enhanced Parental Leave
• Subsidised eye tests and support with the cost prescribed glasses for DSE use