Public Sector Project Manager Senior Consultant / Assistant Manager

Grant Thornton; Cork; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton Ireland seeks a Project Manager at Senior Consultant or Assistant Manager level to join the Public Sector Transformation Excellence team. You will lead public sector transformation projects, manage client relationships and translate evidence into practical recommendations for Ireland and international clients.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, maintain governance, and contribute to proposals and business development while mentoring junior colleagues and monitoring

Qualifications

• A third-level degree with a strong academic record.
• Typically 2 to 5 years' relevant experience in project management, consulting, transformation, public sector delivery or related field.
• Appointment at Senior Consultant or Assistant Manager level depends on experience and delivery track record.
• Proven project and/or programme management experience in public sector or professional services.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects through full lifecycle, from initiation to closure.
• Excellent analytical capability supporting evidence-based decision-making.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation with attention to quality and detail.
• A self-motivated, solution-focused approach to work.
• A proactive and curious approach to growth of Public Sector Transformation Excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support delivery of transformation, change and implementation projects for public sector clients.
• Act as a day-to-day point of contact for clients, managing queries and relationships.
• Conduct in-depth research and data analysis to inform strategic solutions.
• Translate research and stakeholder input into practical recommendations for each client.
• Prepare high-quality presentations, reports and deliverables for clients and senior stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Time management

Education

Third-level degree

Job description

Job Description & Summary

About the team

Our Public Sector Transformation Excellence team supports public sector clients to design, deliver and implement transformation programmes. Our work spans project and programme delivery, operating model and service improvement, stakeholder engagement, implementation planning, change readiness, governance and benefits-focused delivery.

We are seeking a Project Manager at Senior Consultant or Assistant Manager level to join our Public Sector Transformation Excellence team. This role will support the delivery of transformation, change and implementation projects for public sector clients in Ireland and internationally. You will work with consulting colleagues and client stakeholders to manage project delivery, coordinate workstreams, maintain governance, analyse evidence, prepare high-quality deliverables and develop practical recommendations that help public sector organisations improve services and deliver better outcomes.

Embrace the possibility to apply - at Grant Thornton we are constantly upskilling our staff. If you do not meet all of the listed requirements, please do not be discouraged from applying. We value a growth-oriented mindset and are dedicated to supporting you in reaching your full potential.

Responsibilities

You will collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team to deliver public sector transformation and advisory projects across a range of client priorities, including:

Project and Client Delivery

• Lead and support the delivery of transformation, change and implementation projects for public sector clients, working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Act as a day-to-day point of contact for clients, supporting clear communication, managing project queries and building strong working relationships.
• Conduct in-depth research and data analysis to inform strategic solutions for public sector organisations, including analysis of sector trends, regulation and operational data.
• Translate research, evidence and stakeholder input into practical recommendations tailored to each client's operating context.
• Prepare high-quality presentations, reports and other deliverables that communicate project findings, insights and recommendations clearly to clients and senior stakeholders.

Practice Growth, Risk and Team Leadership

• Contribute to proposals, tender documentation, business development activities and marketing initiatives that support the growth of Public Sector Transformation Excellence.
• Identify and manage project risks and issues, elevate them appropriately & work with the team to develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project plans, reports, RAID logs and status updates.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and mentor junior team members, providing guidance and support as required.
• Monitor developments across the public sector, including regulatory change, policy priorities, market shifts and emerging technologies, and share relevant insights to inform project strategies.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential experience and skills

• A third-level degree, with a strong academic record.
• Typically 2 to 5 years' relevant experience in project management, consulting, transformation, public sector delivery or a related field.
• Appointment at Senior Consultant or Assistant Manager level will depend on depth of experience, delivery track record, stakeholder management capability and evidence of leading workstreams or supporting junior colleagues.
• Proven project and/or programme management experience, preferably within a public sector organisation, consulting firm or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects through the full lifecycle, from initiation to closure, delivering successful outcomes within agreed scope, timeline and budget.
• Excellent analytical capability, including the ability to assess complex information, develop actionable insights and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with clients, senior stakeholders and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, include experience preparing clear reports, presentations, proposals and tender documents.
• Strong organisation, time management and prioritisation skills, with consistent attention to quality and detail.
• Ability to balance strategic, big-picture thinking with detailed execution, ensuring that delivery remains aligned with client expectations.
• A self-motivated, solution-focused approach to your work, with the initiative to identify challenges, implement effective solutions and work independently or as part of a team.
• A proactive and curiosity approach to identifying business opportunities and contributing to the growth of Public Sector Transformation Excellence.

Desirable experience and certifications

• A project management certification is desirable, together with the ability to apply recognised practices, tools and methodologies such as PRINCE2, Agile or tailored approaches.
• A change management certification is desirable, such as Prosci Change Management Certification, Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) or Change Management Practitioner (CMP).

About Us

We are Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton Ireland is rapidly approaching 3,000 people, in 9 offices across Ireland, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Bermuda. With a presence in over 149 countries around the world and a global network of 73,000 people, we bring our clients the local knowledge, national expertise and global presence to help them succeed - wherever they're located.

At GT, we work as trusted advisors, bringing local knowledge and national expertise, with a global presence, to help businesses succeed - wherever they are located. We make business more personal by investing in building relationships and empowering our clients to make the right decisions for your organisation now and for the future. Whether that is working with the public sector to build thriving communities, with regulators and financial institutions to build trust, or with a diverse range of businesses to help them achieve their goals, Grant Thornton Ireland work hard to support clients to act on the issues that matter.

At GT Ireland we don't just predict your future, we build it.

A Career at GT

Looking for a more fulfilling role in professional services? One where fresh thinking, collaboration and diversity are valued? At Grant Thornton we do things differently.

What does this mean for you?

A career in a more inclusive working environment, a more collaborative work culture, a more supported, flexible working role, more possibilities to grow and more opportunities to help shape the future for your clients. We respect and value your experience. And we want you to bring your authentic self to work and be at your best. It is how it should be.

Grow with us

At Grant Thornton, we care about our people and work hard to make you feel valued. If you are looking to deepen and develop your skills, knowledge, and experience throughout your career, then that is what you will get, and more.

Our Benefits

Please follow this link ( for information on our generous benefits package.

About the Team

Equity, diversity and inclusion

At Grant Thornton, we provide equitable opportunities for all our colleagues. We are a responsible, sustainable business where equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) is at the forefront of our workplace culture agenda, and today, we continue to build and develop on our existing ED&I structure and strategy to meet our workplace culture needs. People are at the heart of our business and teams built with varied individuals present diverse viewpoints, which need to be heard and valued.

We are all at our best when we are able to be ourselves and we view integrity and authenticity as integral values to bring to our day-to-day work-life at the firm. We are excited to see the personality and perspectives you will bring to our team because we know we will all benefit from them. Diversity of thought, background and experience enables better decision-making, improves the quality of our delivery, and helps us to meet the needs of our clients. Our firm is built on people and their ideas, so we want to hear all the new perspectives and fresh thinking you have to offer. You form the bedrock of our firm's best-practice principles and we will champion you as leaders from day one.

Reward and benefits

Our reward and benefits are designed to create an environment where our people can flourish. We are committed to building a culture where our people have access to the necessary benefits to help promote a healthy lifestyle and thrive.

Recognition

We want to create a culture of recognition and celebrating success, by saying thank you to people who surpass our expectations and recognising the right values and behaviours. Our Shout Out recognition scheme is our way of highlighting and promoting achievements. Whether you simply want to say thank you, celebrate a special occasion or give an award for doing something exceptional, you can do all of this and more through the scheme.