Principal/ Lead Consultant

Newton; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Newton is expanding in Australia and seeks Lead or Principal Consultants to drive multi-year defence transformation programmes. You will lead diverse teams, shape workstreams, and deliver measurable client value while building trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.

The role requires travel across Australian locations and strong delivery discipline. You will manage complex workstreams, ensure KPI alignment with outcomes, and present results to executive sponsors, while growing

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams on complex programmes.
• Proven track record delivering large transformation initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement with senior leaders.
• Ability to travel and work across Australian locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead 4–8 consultants to identify opportunities and deliver them.
• Design and review workstreams as Lead/Principal Consultant.
• Align workstream KPIs with client outcomes and goals.
• Present data-driven recommendations to executives.
• Oversee day-to-day governance and delivery adjustments.
• Identify future opportunities and support account growth.
• Demonstrate delivery excellence in defence-focused transformations.
• Foster client relationships and team capability building.

Skills

Team leadership

Client relationship mgmt

Delivery governance

Business transformation

Data-driven storytelling

Executive stakeholder mgmt

Problem solving

Commercial planning

Job description

Newton is one of the UK's leading consulting firms, known for its data-driven, results-focused approach to solving complex business challenges. We partner with organisations across the public and private sectors to deliver measurable, sustainable improvements through a distinctive commercial model: our fees are contingent on delivering agreed outcomes.

As Newton expands into Australia, this is a unique opportunity to join at a pivotal stage of growth. You will help build our Australian business by developing trusted client relationships, leading high-performing teams, and delivering lasting outcomes for defence clients.

Our teams lead intensive diagnostics and multi-year transformation programmes, taking end-to-end responsibility for identifying opportunities, designing solutions, and embedding sustainable change. As a Lead or Principal Consultant, you will lead complex workstreams, manage multi-disciplinary teams, build strong client relationships, and deliver $2m–$5m+ in client value.

The role is incredibly varied but would typically cover, but not be limited to:

• Managing teams of consultants (typically 4–8) to identify the biggest opportunities, and then leading your team and client to deliver them
• Designing and reviewing one workstream as a Lead Consultant and a variety of workstreams as a Principal Consultant ensuring alignment to client outcomes and programme goals
• Working closely with programme leads to ensure workstream KPIs are aligned to client organisational outcomes and wider transformation objectives
• Working on site in different Australia locations, day to day with client counterparts to review progress, problem-solve and drive performance improvement, while building lasting client capability. We are happy for you to be based anywhere in Australia with a good airport nearby.
• Creating clear, compelling and data-driven stories for stakeholders – from frontline managers through to senior leaders and executive sponsors – and working with programme leads to remove blockers to progress
• Proactively adjusting delivery, resourcing and commercial plans in collaboration with programme leadership to keep workstreams and programmes on track
• Identifying opportunities for future work within your client area and supporting wider account and market engagement activities alongside programme and account leadership
• Prior consulting experience in operational excellence and outcome-focused delivery.
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex transformations within the defence sector.
• Managing teams of consultants of various levels, capability areas and across different workstreams
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with senior managers, heads of function or programme, with competence and confidence to present in front of client executives
• Purpose led analysis skills and ability to use logic to solve a problem
• Ability to compellingly present assessment and programme outputs to enable successful progression of next steps
• Running day to day internal and client facing governance
• Resilience in solving highly complex problems
• Collaborative nature, working with internal and external teams to get to the best outcome together
• Proven track record for driving improvement or impact with an outcome focused mindset
• Big picture thinking and the ability to connect the dots using relevant market themes
• Starting to think more commercially by spotting potential opportunities and understanding and communicating potential risks
• Willingness for self-development and commitment to supporting the development of others around you; actively seeks and gives feedback
• Ambitious and driven; always strives for the best outcomes for self and others
• Flexible and willing to work away from home

Supporting you starts from day one. New joiners often highlight the Newton energy and support they first encounter in the recruitment process and that continues through into their time at Newton. Once in role, you’ll get support from several sources – from stretching projects, on-the-job feedback and developmental guidance from Directors and Partners. You’ll have a dedicated and consistent Sponsor/Development Manager to support your career progression with promotions at Newton happening throughout the year and based on performance and readiness to perform and succeed at the next level. You’ll receive regular appraisals and annual pay reviews.