Consulting Principal – Banking & Finance (Retail & Neo Banking)

Cognizant; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm seeks a Consulting Principal for Banking & Finance in London. The role involves driving strategic advisory engagements and mentoring talent in the retail and neo-banking landscape. You will lead innovative solutions, contribute to market strategies, and require 10-15 years of consulting experience. This hybrid position requires client site attendance and offers a dynamic work environment focused on continuous development.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years’ experience in consulting or direct industry roles across retail or neo‑banking.
• Experience delivering customer experience, cost optimisation, technology modernisation, and compliance uplift.
• Deep understanding of the UK retail banking ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic advisory and delivery engagements.
• Shape solution roadmaps and partner with stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop Managers and Consultants.

Skills

Consulting experience in retail banking

Customer experience improvement

Technology modernization

Agile transformation

Strong communication skills

Job description

Overview

Consulting Principal – Banking & Finance (Retail & Neo‑Banking)

Location: London, UK

Work Mode: Hybrid

Level: Associate Director

Domain: Banking & Finance – Retail & Neo‑Banking

About the Role

As a Consulting Principal in our Banking & Financial Services (BFS) Consulting practice, you will drive strategic advisory engagements and shape high‑impact transformation programmes across the UK’s retail and neo‑banking landscape. You will blend deep industry expertise with strong consulting acumen to help clients reimagine customer experiences, modernize core banking propositions, and adopt next‑generation technologies—including agentic AI and open finance capabilities.

You will be a senior leader within the practice, contributing to our go‑to‑market strategy, cultivating long‑term executive relationships, and mentoring the next generation of consulting talent.

In This Role, You Will

• Lead strategic advisory and delivery engagements across customer proposition design, customer journey blueprints, new product launches, and AI‑enabled innovation in retail and neo‑banks.
• Assess regulatory, innovation and policy developments, including open finance, accessibility, financial crime and fraud evolution, and Consumer Duty—translating these into actionable transformation themes.
• Shape solution roadmaps and partner with cross‑functional stakeholders to convert emerging technologies into practical, differentiated client propositions.
• Lead or contribute to RFP/RFI/RFX cycles, solution shaping and proposal development for banking transformation and innovation programmes.
• Collaborate with technology, cloud, regtech, and platform partners to build integrated value propositions for retail banking clients.
• Author high‑quality thought leadership, including whitepapers, viewpoints, case studies, and regulatory and innovation perspectives.
• Mentor and develop Managers and Consultants, leading capability uplift sessions across the practice.
• Represent Cognizant at industry forums, client workshops, and partner events as a recognised subject‑matter expert.

What You Must Have to Be Considered

• 10–15 years’ experience in consulting or direct industry roles across retail or neo‑banking, with a focus on business and technology transformation.
• Demonstrated experience delivering customer experience, cost optimisation, technology modernisation, compliance uplift, and agile transformation engagements.
• Deep understanding of the UK retail banking ecosystem including competitive landscape, customer behaviours, and regulatory environment.
• Proven ability to create and present frameworks, strategy recommendations, and thought leadership to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to simplify complex concepts and communicate effectively with both executive and technical audiences.
• Strong working knowledge of global regulatory developments, compliance themes, and banking standards.

These Will Help You Succeed

• Passion for shaping the future of retail and digital banking.
• Strong commercial acumen and consultative problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, collaborative consulting environment.
• A proactive mindset with a commitment to continuous learning and innovation.

Work Model

This is a Hybrid role, requiring attendance at client sites or our London office as aligned to project or business requirements.

Apply By

15 March, 2026

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.