Associate Director - MPA. Major Projects Advisory, Commercial Advisory and Assurance

KPMG International Cooperative; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global consultancy firm in Birmingham seeks an exceptional Associate Director to enhance strategic capabilities across major projects. Candidates should demonstrate strong strategic thinking, effective communication skills, and experience in high-level advisory roles. The position offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits, in an inclusive work environment that values individual contributions.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Private medical insurance

Generous holiday policy

Bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in consulting, delivery advisory, or internal strategy roles.
• Ability to engage with senior stakeholders effectively.
• Proven record in shaping decision-making and influencing outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Expand strategic partner capability across projects.
• Support or lead high-profile work within Major Projects Advisory.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Exceptional communication

Leadership experience

Collaboration

Adaptability

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an exceptional Associate Director to help expand our strategic partner capability across major projects, programmes and portfolio. This role is ideal for someone with broad exposure across complex programme environments, particularly those who have supported senior leadership in Chief of Staff, Business Manager, or Programme Strategy roles. You will work across the whole of Major Projects Advisory and the broader KPMG environment to co-develop our offer, build relationships and both support and lead some of our highest profile work.

Responsibilities

• Help expand strategic partner capability across major projects, programmes and portfolio.
• Co-develop our offer, build relationships, and support or lead high-profile work across Major Projects Advisory and the wider KPMG environment.

Qualifications and Experience

• Strategic thinker with strong judgement: able to synthesise information quickly, cut through complexity, and provide clear, reasoned recommendations. You bring a hypothesis-led mindset and can hold a strategic conversation at a senior level.
• Broad infrastructure exposure: experience across complex project or programme environments, often close to leadership, in consulting, delivery advisory, or internal strategy roles (e.g., PMO, Chief of Staff, Transformation Lead, Business Manager).
• Leadership-facing experience: comfortable operating as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, shaping agendas, supporting decision-making, and influencing outcomes.
• Highly adaptable and delivery-focused: thrives in ambiguity and fast-paced environments; capable of moving from framing to execution.
• Exceptional communicator: able to distil complex ideas into compelling narratives in writing, presentations, or visuals.
• Collaborative and low-ego: strong team contributor who can lead when needed and drive shared success.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: initiative, curiosity, and desire to build—refining offers, growing client relationships, or mentoring colleagues.
• Broad experience across major, complex infrastructure or capital project environments, ideally in consulting, client advisory, or Chief of Staff-style roles.
• Strategic, analytical thinker with strong communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate in complex, fast-moving, and ambiguous settings.
• Proven experience engaging with senior stakeholders and shaping key decisions.
• Genuine interest in major projects, leadership, and organisational performance.

Desirable

• Experience in regulated sectors (e.g., energy, transport, water).
• Exposure to portfolio, programme, or transformation governance.
• Familiarity with project, programme and/or portfolio frameworks.

Additional Information

If the chance to work with interesting clients and innovative technology isn’t rewarding enough, we’ll motivate you in other ways too. At KPMG you can expect real responsibilities and opportunities to grow professionally.

Benefits and Working Arrangements

• Financial: competitive salary; pension options; bonus scheme; rail and Oyster card reimbursement; staff discounts; access to preferential banking.
• Lifestyle: 25 days holiday (option to buy up to 10 more) + birthday leave; competitive maternity/paternity leave; 6 days volunteering; daily lunch allowance; Flextra benefits (travel insurance, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, gym discounts).
• Health and Wellbeing: private medical insurance; personal accident insurance; life assurance of 4x salary; access to remote GP; BeWell employee assistance programme; group income protection.
• Flexible working: flexible schedules, home working, and arrangements discussed during recruitment; support for balance between home and work demands.

We are proud of the value we place on individuality. KPMG is a place where everyone can thrive, whatever their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. Applications from individuals who have been out of work for 12 months or more and who have relevant experience are welcome.

Note: This description may include references to flexible working and travel that reflect current expectations and could be subject to change.