People Consulting Assistant Manager

EY; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

EY's People Consulting practice is seeking an Assistant Manager to work across capabilities and services, often with leaders of major organisations, delivering large-scale change strategies, organisational design, and HR transformation. You will join multidisciplinary teams, develop leadership skills, and support project delivery from planning through implementation.

You will help build an inclusive, collaborative culture while advising clients on people-related challenges in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Approximately 4+ years of advisory services experience in change enablement areas.
• Strong organisation and time management under deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate technical competence in core Human Capital capabilities with a practical, business-driven approach.
• Analyse problems and deliver high-quality client solutions.
• Manage projects by tracking progress, mitigating risks, and keeping stakeholders informed.
• Influence and persuade stakeholders to support key change initiatives.
• Coach and manage junior team members.
• Foster collaboration and promote an inclusive, innovative team environment.
• Identify and manage risks and issues during client engagements.
• Contribute to business development and client pursuits.
• Lead engagement activities from planning through to implementation.
• Stay calm under pressure and adapt quickly to changes.

Skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Analytical skills

Communication (oral & written)

Self-motivation

Creative problem solving

Work ethic

Education

Postgraduate qualification

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

People Consulting – Assistant Manager

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you. People Consulting shapes and delivers the part of business strategy that depends on people. As a Human Capital professional, you will have the opportunity to work with clients to understand and address some of their largest and most complex people-related challenges and ultimately improve and drive sustainable business results. We focus on engagements that relate to the Human Capital value chain in totality, including, but not limited to, Total Reward, Organisation Design, Change Management, Talent Management, Learning and Transactions.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an Assistant Manager for our People Consulting practice. In joining our team, you will gain valuable experience and a wealth of knowledge by working across various capabilities and service offerings. Working in multidisciplinary teams, often directly with leaders of major organisations, you will bring diverse perspectives to every challenge. We are uniquely and strategically positioned to advise leaders in the face of increasing disruption, an ever-changing workforce and an evolving business landscape. Whether your passion is devising and driving large scale change strategies, organisational design or transforming HR organisations, we cultivate innovation and purpose. You will find an environment that is both entrepreneurial and collaborative. We will help you achieve your potential by supporting your professional development and by providing you with leadership opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate technical competence in core Human Capital capabilities with a practical, business-driven approach to solving complex client challenges.
• Analyse problems and deliver high-quality, insightful client solutions.
• Manage projects effectively by tracking progress, mitigating risks, and keeping stakeholders informed.
• Influence and persuade stakeholders to support key change initiatives and decisions.
• Show leadership by coaching and managing junior team members.
• Foster collaboration and promote an inclusive, innovative team environment.
• Identify and manage risks and issues during client engagements.
• Contribute to business development and client pursuits, including identifying follow‑on opportunities.
• Lead engagement activities from planning through to implementation.
• Stay calm and composed under pressure.
• Be proactive and take initiative in dynamic, fast‑paced environments.
• Adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
• Provide constructive feedback and support team growth.

Skills And Attributes For Success

• Project management experience.
• Work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• High level of motivation and a self‑starting attitude.
• Ability to think outside of the box and thrive on new challenges.
• Strong work ethic.

To Qualify, Candidates Must Have

• Relevant postgraduate qualification
• Approximately 4+ years of experience in advisory services in change enablement areas such as change management, stakeholder management, communications, organisational design, leadership development, training, governance, workforce strategies, HR transformation, talent management, and culture.
• Effective organisation and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure and adhere to project deadlines.

What We Look For

We are interested in professionals who enjoy promoting the people agenda in organisations and change initiatives, bringing people issues and challenges to the forefront. You will need the confidence to keep the people’s agenda front and center, as well as the interpersonal skills and communications savvy to do this in a way that integrates well with executive priorities and objectives.

What We Offer

At EY, our Total Rewards package supports our commitment to creating a leading people culture - built on high-performance teaming - where everyone can achieve their potential and contribute to building a better working world for our people, our clients and our communities. We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognised for the value you bring to our business.

EY | Building a Better Working World

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.