People Consulting Manager - OD, Change, Talent

EY; Johannesburg; Hybrid; CAD 78,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

EY in Johannesburg, a hybrid role within People Consulting, leads complex transformations across Workforce Strategy, Organisation Design and Change Management. You will drive multi‑capability engagements, guide senior client stakeholders, and ensure delivery excellence.

A strong consulting mindset and people analytics focus are essential. You will also develop junior staff, participate in business development, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver integrated solutions that

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Industrial Psychology, Business Management or related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
• 7+ years’ experience in People Consulting or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of People Consulting projects across capabilities such as Workforce Strategy, Organisation Design, Cultural Transformation, Change Management, Learning, HR Transformation, Talent Management, Reward and People Analytics; Manage workstreams, including planning, execution, risk management, quality assurance, and stakeholder engagement
• Conduct assessments, analyse data, and synthesise insights to inform people‑centric solutions, using EY’s people transformation methodologies
• Build strong client relationships, act as a trusted advisor, and support clients through complex change journeys
• Develop and coach team members, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Produce high‑quality deliverables including reports, frameworks, transformation roadmaps and presentations
• Contribute to business development, including proposal support, solutioning, and thought leadership
• Collaborate with cross‑functional EY teams to deliver integrated, multidisciplinary solution

Skills

Consulting mindset

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Attention to detail

Emotional intelligence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Industrial Psychology/Business Management

Postgraduate qualification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Manager: People Consulting

Client Industry: Various industries depending on client portfolio

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng (Hybrid)

Division: Consulting – People Consulting

Reports to: Senior Manager / Associate Director – People Consulting

About EY

EY is a global leader in Assurance, Tax, Strategy & Transactions, and Consulting services. Our purpose — Building a better working world — inspires us to help clients, people and communities thrive. We combine deep industry knowledge with advanced technology and global perspectives to deliver long‑term value. Our purpose is underpinned by our commitment to inclusion, sustainability, innovation and exceptional client service.

The Opportunity – People Consulting

EY’s People Consulting team helps organisations respond to transformative forces such as digital disruption, workforce shifts, culture change, leadership expectations and new operating models. The practice places Humans@Center of transformation and provides capabilities across Workforce Advisory, Organisation Design, Behaviour Change, Leadership Enablement, Employee Engagement and Talent solutions. The team helps clients design and implement people‑centric strategies that enhance organisational effectiveness, employee experience and long‑term value.

As a Manager, you will lead project workstreams, guide high‑performing teams, and partner closely with clients to shape and deliver people‑centric transformation solutions.

Role Description

The Manager: People Consulting plays a critical role in designing and delivering complex people‑related solutions that support client transformation agendas. Drawing on EY’s global methodologies and People Consulting capabilities, the role involves leading engagements across capabilities such as Workforce Strategy, Organisation Design, Cultural Transformation, Change Management, Learning, HR Transformation, Talent Management, Reward and People Analytics.

You will act as a trusted advisor to client leadership teams, leveraging EY’s deep workforce transformation expertise to identify opportunities, co‑create solutions, manage delivery excellence, and ensure successful adoption of people‑related initiatives. Managers also play a pivotal role in developing junior team members, driving thought leadership, and contributing to business development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of People Consulting projects across capabilities such as Workforce Strategy, Organisation Design, Cultural Transformation, Change Management, Learning, HR Transformation, Talent Management, Reward and People Analytics; Manage workstreams, including planning, execution, risk management, quality assurance, and stakeholder engagement
• Conduct assessments, analyse data, and synthesise insights to inform people‑centric solutions, using EY’s people transformation methodologies
• Build strong client relationships, act as a trusted advisor, and support clients through complex change journeys
• Develop and coach team members, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Produce high‑quality deliverables including reports, frameworks, transformation roadmaps and presentations
• Contribute to business development, including proposal support, solutioning, and thought leadership
• Collaborate with cross‑functional EY teams to deliver integrated, multidisciplinary solution

Skills & Attributes for Success

• Strong Consulting mindset with the ability to solve complex people and organisational challenges
• Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills
• Ability to build trust and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams and complex workstreams
• High attention to detail
• High levels of emotional intelligence, resilience and adaptability
• Commitment to quality, integrity and delivering long‑term value
• Strong business acumen
• Ability to derive data‑driven insights and visualise data effectively and efficiently

Technical Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Industrial Psychology, Business Management, or related discipline
• A postgraduate qualification is advantageous
• 7+ years’ experience in People Consulting or related fields
• Experience in at least one of the following:
• Workforce Strategy
• Organisation Design
• Cultural Transformation
• Change Management
• Learning
• HR Transformation
• Talent Management
• Reward
• People Analytics
• Strong project management capability, including agile delivery
• Proficiency in MS Office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).