Principal Consultant - People & Organisation

Altum Consulting; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Altum Consulting is recruiting a Principal People & Organisation Consultant for Manchester/Leeds, focusing on operating model design and organisational change across energy, transport and water sectors. You will lead client projects, build relationships and help win new engagements while guiding teams through complex transformations.

The role blends diagnostic work, governance design and delivery, with three days a week in client offices or on-site, and a strong emphasis on collaborating with

Qualifications

• Experience in consulting or equivalent in-house role across operating model design, organisational development, change, culture, leadership or team effectiveness.
• Commercial acumen with track record of developing client relationships that led to new work.
• Experience in energy, transport or water sectors is a plus but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead substantial client projects, from diagnosis and evidence gathering through to recommendations and implementation.
• Design operating models, organisational structures, governance and ways of working that support lasting change.
• Run diagnostics and workshops, turning research and data into clear insights for clients.
• Build trusted client relationships, identify opportunities to extend existing work and contribute to winning new engagements.
• Develop proposals, support the growth of the practice and help develop colleagues.

Skills

Operating model design

Organisational development

Change management

Leadership

Client relationship building

Commercial acumen

Job description

Permanent Position

Manchester or Leeds

Altum Consulting is partnering with a leading consultancy to recruit a Principal People & Organisation Consultant. With a strong pipeline of work across energy, transport and water, the team is looking for someone who can help clients design operating models and put them into practice, while building relationships that lead to new work.

The work spans organisational reviews, operating model design and delivery. You might assess how a programme is working, define the structure and capabilities a new function needs, or help establish its governance and ways of working. Projects increasingly involve digital services and technology partners, so an interest in how people, processes and technology fit together will be valuable.

What you'll do

• Lead substantial client projects, from diagnosis and evidence gathering through to recommendations and implementation.
• Design operating models, organisational structures, governance and ways of working that support lasting change.
• Run diagnostics and workshops, turning research and data into clear insights for clients.
• Build trusted client relationships, identify opportunities to extend existing work and contribute to winning new engagements.
• Develop proposals, support the growth of the practice and help develop colleagues.

What you'll bring

• You'll have a background in consulting or a relevant in-house role, with experience across at least two areas such as operating model design, organisational development, change, culture, leadership or team effectiveness. You'll be comfortable moving between different client challenges and sectors, with the judgement to turn analysis into solutions that can be delivered.
• You'll also bring commercial acumen and a track record of developing client relationships that have led to new work. You can spot where a client needs further support, shape a compelling response and contribute confidently to proposals and conversations about future projects.
• Infrastructure or capital programme experience would be helpful, particularly in energy, transport or water, but it is not essential.
• Digital fluency is also key. You don't need to be a technology specialist, but you should be confident working alongside digital teams and understanding how technology affects an operating model.
• The team is looking for someone who inspires confidence, collaborates well and enjoys tackling varied, complex problems. The working pattern is typically three days a week in an office or with clients, including days involving travel.