Change Management Consultant (Analyst) - Defence

PA Consulting; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

PA Consulting in Bristol is seeking a Business Change Specialist to support complex digital transformation programmes in the Defence sector. The successful candidate will maintain business change plans and engage with stakeholders to ensure effective organisational change.

This role offers flexible hybrid working and requires experience in managing change and stakeholder relationships, as well as proficiency in change methodologies. Ideal candidates will possess relevant qualifications and a collaborative mindset.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering change within large digital transformation programmes.
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships across government and Defence environments.
• Proficiency in applying change methodologies and tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain business change plans to support digital Defence transformation programmes.
• Conduct business change assessments across Defence Lines of Development.
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams and prepare the organisation for change.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Change methodologies

Communication skills

Analytical mindset

Problem-solving

Education

Relevant change management qualification (Digital Skills, APMG Change Management, Prosci Certification)

Job description

Job Overview

As a Business Change Specialist you will support large, complex digital transformation programmes within the Defence sector. Your role involves maintaining and implementing business change plans, engaging stakeholders, and fostering successful organisational change to achieve the client’s goals.

Location: Bristol, with client sites across the Southwest (M4 corridor).

Flexible working: hybrid environment, at least two days per week at client site or office.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain business change plans to support digital Defence transformation programmes.
• Update change management strategies to reflect programme reality and operational needs, including proactive risk mitigation.
• Conduct business change assessments across Defence Lines of Development, including change maturity, adoption and load assessments.
• Use visualisation tools to present impact of changes to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams and with external partners to prepare the organisation for change and ensure alignment of messaging.
• Work closely with assignment managers to align the business change plan with wider strategic change activities.
• Facilitate workshops and events to inspire individuals and teams and deliver usable outputs.
• Create change‑themed communication messages suitable for various channels.
• Maintain strong, long‑term client relationships through regular communication and expectation management.
• Mentour and provide guidance to junior team members and undertake knowledge transfer activities.
• Manage activities for clients who are within daily commuting range from home.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience delivering change within large digital transformation programmes.
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships across government and Defence environments.
• Proficiency in applying change methodologies and tools.
• Experience managing and leading cross‑functional teams.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with problem‑solving, decision‑making and risk‑management skills.
• Capability to work at pace, to a high standard, and under tight deadlines.
• Understanding of a human‑centric approach to business change.
• Prior experience within Defence or similar complex, operationally focused organisations is desirable.
• Experience working in consulting or blended teams is desirable.
• Relevant change management qualification (e.g., Digital Skills, APMG Change Management, Prosci Certification) is desirable.

Security and Eligibility

Some UK roles at PA Consulting require a UK security clearance. All PA people undergo background checks and must achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Higher levels of National Security Vetting may be required for certain roles, necessitating at least five years of continuous UK residency. Applicants must therefore be British citizens or have resided in the UK for the past five years to meet this prerequisite.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.