Associate Director - Public Sector Consulting

Grant Thornton UK; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading advisory firm based in the UK is seeking an Associate Director for their Public Services Advisory team. This role entails developing and implementing strategies, ensuring high-quality delivery, and leading complex projects within the public sector. The ideal candidate possesses significant public sector experience, superb leadership skills, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Flexible working arrangements are available to support work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Inclusive culture

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience of working with or within the public sector.
• Experience managing major transactions/assignments.
• Track record in business development and winning tenders.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of strategy for Public Services Advisory.
• Demonstrate leadership and inspire teams.
• Ensure technical excellence and quality in delivery.

Skills

Public sector experience

Business development

Leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Education

University qualification

Professional qualification (ACA, CIPFA, etc.)

Job description

Job Description

Public Services Advisory, Associate Director

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we’re on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

In Public Services Advisory, we have worked on some of the UK's largest and most high profile public‑sector clients, infrastructure projects and public policy programmes. At their core these assignments focused on creating value across the whole of the UK (and internationally) providing infrastructure and services that deliver economic and social benefits for current and future generations.

Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals. Our purpose is to make a difference by working hand in hand with our public and private‑sector clients on significant public sector projects and issues. We are a team that has public service at its heart. The team works both virtually and from seven Grant Thornton offices – London, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds.

The team is made up of the following sectors and disciplines:

• Transport
• Net zero
• Healthcare
• Real Estate and Assets
• Defence
• Financial modelling and analytics
• Consulting

SECTOR TEAMS

Consulting: Our consulting team seeks to develop long‑term partnerships with our clients in order to help them deliver key government policies, programmes and strategies on the ground. We work with clients across the public sector – as well as those looking to effectively engage with the public sector – to help them to make effective strategic decisions; improve their outcomes; optimise their operating and delivery models; deliver public sector reform; balance short‑term financial challenges with medium term investment; and ensure value for money in all that they do.

We do this by working with clients across the policy lifecycle from identifying the need for change, to making the case for investment, to delivering the invention, to assessing the difference it has made. To do this effectively our multi‑disciplinary team comprises analysts, accountants, economists and strategists. We have a senior and experienced team who have established our presence and credibility in this vital area of public service. Because of that, successful candidates will have the opportunity to learn from a senior team that is one of the most experienced in the market.

NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF

In Public Services Advisory, we help to deliver capital projects, collaborative structures and arrangements, contracting, financial analysis and assurance, modelling, data analytics, strategy development, performance improvement, system transformation and the integration of services across the public sector. We are a single team of over 100 professionals and we support each other across all areas of our business and areas of practice. Our projects and work are varied and complex, and are often at the forefront of the political agenda.

Here are some things you can expect from a role within Public Services Advisory

• Developing and implementing strategy for Public Services Advisory
• Making quality second nature. Ensures technical excellence and quality across the team in accordance with the firm’s guidelines
• Develop and implement plans which will position PSA in the marketplace – Lead from the front with regards to develop proposals and delivering client work
• Build, grow and inspire a market leading team – our success is dependent on our people and we need talent which is highly motivated, embraces continuous learning and resilient.
• Build and develop a diverse Public Services Advisory team – contribute to achieving this. Our success is dependent on our people which should reflect the diverse communities and clients we serve
• Create a team culture in Public Services Advisory based on inclusion and excellence – seek out and appreciate people’s difference, embrace them and strive to minimise unconscious bias so that everyone working in PSA can realise their full potential
• Build your brand – Be known for excellence and clarity in communication both within Grant Thornton and with external stakeholders

We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares, we’ll support you to balance your work and life.

A look into the role

As a Associate Director within Consulting in Public Services Advisory, you will:

• Support the development and implementation of the strategy for your sector
• Demonstrate high quality and professional behaviour in the delivery of your work and challenge others to do the same
• Demonstrate leadership to your team and inspire people to reach their potential
• Ensure technical excellence and quality in the delivery of work in accordance with the firm’s guidelines
• Ensure effective and efficient oversight of your team to deliver high quality work, as well as meeting financial targets
• Support the partner and director group to lead complex projects, building strong relationships with client, bringing in the most relevant Grant Thornton people for the work where relevant with or external partners, and deliver high quality client service.
• Support the partner and director group on complex proposals through effective business‑development activities and the development of winning bids. Embed a learning culture in the development of proposals and begin to demonstrate the ability to lead proposals with less support.
• Embodiment of a quality culture, evidenced through active coaching of teams, praising good work and challenging poor work through everyday feedback
• Make a significant contribution to business development, building relationships with people and organisations in your sector so they will become clients of the future.
• Work with the partners and directors to build a more diverse PSA team
• Creates an inclusive culture throughout PSA and call out behaviours that are not inclusive
• Build and maintain a network in your sector and across Grant Thornton, ensuring your areas of expertise are known across the firm and that you will capitalise on opportunities for PSA and the wider firm
• Contribute and promote thought leadership pieces within your sector on a regular basis
• Be aware of relevant sector or industry development that impact on the work of the team
• Manage quality and risk in line with the firm’s policies and procedures
• Act with integrity and in line with our organisational values
• Embrace the firm’s core values in relation to diversity and inclusion, behaving in a way that is inclusive at all times
• Achieve “zone of affection” rating in client satisfaction scores for clients
• Do what is right, not what is easy

Knowing you’re right for us

As an Associate Director, the minimum criteria you’ll need are a university qualification or relevant experience. A professional qualification (e.g. ACA, CIPFA, Prince2, CIMA, CFA) is desirable and you’ll have:

• Significant experience of working with or within the public sector, or have a desire to work with the public sector
• A portfolio of experience of managing major transactions/assignments with a range of organisations
• A track record in business development in your sector and winning competitive tenders
• Worked in teams where you have had line management/ oversight responsibilities
• Evidence of taking ownership for setting and delivering team goals and monitoring individual project targets in terms of utilisation, revenue and gross margin
• Strong understanding and demonstrable experience of contractual requirements and commercial issues relevant to your sector
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with experience of reporting and presenting to clients or relevant stakeholders
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Good project management skills with a record of delivering projects to time, quality and financial deadlines
• Good inter‑personal skills with the ability to build and develop a network of clients

It would be great if you had some of the following skills

Understanding of operations, performance and finance

Awareness of current policy and issues

Knowing we’re right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

Beyond the job

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.