Senior Manager - Workforce Advisory - People Consulting

EY; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

EY New Zealand is seeking an experienced Senior Manager to join the People Consulting team in Auckland. You will lead large-scale transformation programs, drive client relationships, and shape growth for the practice with fresh ideas and strategic leadership.

You’ll guide multi-disciplinary teams, deliver value-driven solutions, and contribute to EY’s reputation in people and workforce transformation.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in change management and HR transformation across large organisations.
• Experience delivering complex, multi-stakeholder change projects and ensuring business readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with internal and external stakeholders to provide advice on change and learning projects.
• Deliver large-scale transformation programs and drive client relationships.
• Design and implement solutions, develop strategic recommendations, and present to clients.
• Manage delivery of complex projects, mitigate risks, and ensure successful outcomes.
• Coach and develop Consultants and Senior Consultants within the team.
• Provide leadership across multiple engagements and contribute to market presence.
• Drive business development, including identifying opportunities and supporting proposals.

Skills

Change management

HR transformation

Talent management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Project management

Leadership

Business development

Digital platforms

Education

AIM

CPCM

ATD Change Management Certificate

PROSCI / CCMP / APMG

Agile Change Management

PMP / PRINCE2

ITIL

Lean Six Sigma

Tools

SAP

Microsoft

ServiceNow

Job description

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence. We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world.

Mā te kahukura ka rere te manu I With wings a bird will fly

What if we didn’t focus on who you are now, but who you could become?

The Team: People Consulting

We work globally and collaborate to bring professional teams together to address complex issues relating to organisation and workforce transformations. Our EY professionals ask better questions and work with clients to create holistic, innovative answers that deliver quality results.

This role can be based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).

What’s in it for you?

• We’re making significant investments to build a team with the right resources. Joining now means being able to seize the opportunities that accompany that growth and shape the future of this fast-growing practice
• You’ll work with people who inspire and bring out the best in you, develop new and different skillsets with access to the latest digital tools and technology and learning platforms
• You’ll experience our diverse and inclusive culture. We believe that only the highest-performing teams that maximize the power of different perspectives can succeed in this fast-changing environment

The Role:

We are looking for an experienced Senior Manager to join our People Consulting team in Auckland. We are seeking a strategic and commercially minded leader with fresh ideas and an innovative approach to help shape and grow our high-performing team. People Consulting helps organisations solve some of their largest and most complex people-related challenges.

As a Senior Manager, you will lead the delivery of large-scale transformation programs, drive client relationships, and contribute to the growth of our People Consulting practice. You will:

• Lead engagement with internal and external stakeholders to provide advice and support on change and learning projects
• Proven experience in the delivery of challenging projects across a diverse range of organisations
• Design and develop the implementation of solutions, develop strategic recommendations, reports, and delivering impactful client presentations.
• Manage the delivery of complex projects, applying sound judgment to identify and resolve issues, ensuring successful delivery of people-related projects and initiatives
• Support the growth and development of Consultants and Senior Consultants through providing coaching, guidance and opportunities to learn.
• Provide leadership and direction across multiple engagements, applying sound judgement to identify and mitigate risks, resolve issues, and ensure successful outcomes.
• Drive business development activities, including identifying opportunities, contributing to proposals, and supporting the growth of the People Consulting practice.
• Lead and inspire high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Contribute to thought leadership, market presence, and EY's reputation as a leader in people and workforce transformation.

What we’re looking for

• Change, HR & Talent Transformation, in-depth experience across change management (including strategy, stakeholder engagement, communications, business readiness, learning design, and employee experience), HR transformation (HR strategy, HRIS/technology, payroll, outsourcing, processes, and risk), and talent management (operating model, organisation design, workforce planning, analytics, retention and succession strategies).
• Commercially and strategically driven, with extensive experience in a consulting environment, and a strong track record of building client relationships and delivering tailored, value-driven solutions. Demonstrated ability to drive business development, contribute to practice growth, and influence senior decision-makers.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, build authentic relationships, and communicate complex ideas effectively (including through storytelling), alongside strong project management capability and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Digital & Transformation Capability, experience leveraging digital platforms (e.g. SAP, Microsoft, ServiceNow) and emerging technologies such as AI to enhance processes, enable data-driven decision-making, and support organisational transformation initiatives.
• Experience working with clients across retail, consumer, and manufacturing sectors will be highly regarded.
• Leadership and Team Development - experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing high-performing talent through coaching, mentoring, and creating pathways for growth. Passionate about fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture.
• Relevant change management and delivery certifications are highly desirable, including:
• AIM (Accelerating Implementation Methodology) – practical adoption-focused approach
• CPCM (Certified Problem & Change Manager) – combines problem-solving and change
• ATD Change Management Certificate – learning/HR-led approach
• PROSCI / CCMP / APMG
• Agile Change Management (APMG or Agile Change Leadership Institute) - focus on iterative, adaptive change in agile environments
• Adjacent certifications:
• PMP / PRINCE2 – project governance (often paired with change roles)
• ITIL – change in IT service environments
• Lean Six Sigma – process change and continuous improvement

Come, be a part of EY

• Explore how a career at EY is yours to build at www.ey.com/nz/careerdevelopment
• Discover how, when and where you can work at www.ey.com/nz/flexibility
• Learn about our commitment to DE&I at www.ey.com/nz/diversity-inclusiveness
• Understand how our benefits can support you at www.ey.com/nz/benefits

Diversity, equity, and inclusiveness (DE&I) are core to who we are, how we work and how we live our values. We encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities, cultures, sexual orientations, and gender identities and are committed to providing an equitable and barrier free recruitment experience for all.

He rourou kai kei ō ringa hei tākoha? Tēnā haria mai!

Our preferred applicant will be required to undertake employment screening by EY or our external third-party provider.

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