Strategic Performance Improvement, Associate Director

More than you expected

Grant Thornton UK LLP is part of a global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, made up of some 73,000 people in over 150 countries. We're a team of independent thinkers who put quality, inclusion and integrity first. All around the world we bring a different experience to our clients. A better experience. One that delivers the expertise they need in a way that goes beyond. Personal, proactive, and agile. That's Grant Thornton.

Job Description:

NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF.  

Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals. 

Grant Thornton’s Consulting Team is a market leading change advisory practice. Our Strategic Performance Improvement team helps C-suite executives of well-known global businesses to understand their business performance, identify opportunities to improve their margin and implement sustainable change in line with their strategy. We use sophisticated data analytics and a problem-solving mindset to help clients make substantial, data-informed decisions which result in improved business performance and a resilient cost base for the future. We primarily target industrial & manufacturing, automotive, consumer and energy sectors but work across many other sectors providing a variety of experiences including public sector, financial services, business services and TMT.

Our Strategic Performance Improvement team combines strong financial skills with practical operational experience to support businesses. We pride ourselves on working ‘with the client’ and embedding ourselves in their teams rather than doing the project ‘to them’. This work style enables knowledge sharing, smooth and impactful implementation, and a longer-lasting result.

Given the exceptional growth rate of our Strategic Performance Improvement team, we are looking to hire an experienced Associate Director to join our team and help us unlock further growth.

A look into the role  

As a Consulting Associate Director within our Strategic Performance Improvement Team, you will: 

• Lead mid-size cost reduction / margin optimisation projects and hence get exposure to C-Suite and other senior leaders in well-known, large UK and International businesses. As part of these projects you will need to:
  • Work alongside driven, bright and personable consultants, and lead a team that includes internal colleagues, subject matter experts and cross-functional client team members
  • Work with client leadership to understand their strategy and the 5–10-year plan for the business
  • Analyse, interrogate and interpret financial and non-financial data to identify what is driving the performance of a business.  Using this data, help businesses identify strategic and tactical opportunities for improvement that support their strategy (e.g. cost reduction opportunities)
  • Prepare and present findings to senior executives
  • Prepare implementation plans that drive successful delivery of the opportunities
• Support the growth of the team through Business Development activities, including scoping and drafting proposals, drafting Thought Leadership / articles, pitching etc
• Participate in practice management activities of the wider Business Consulting team for example line management, wider people agenda etc

You may also be involved in other projects including:

• Develop strategic business plans to support government, corporate and private equity funding that articulates the commercial, operational and financial strategy. Also, due diligence business plans on behalf of government, corporate and private equity funders to assess risk
• Lead operational due diligence assignments in large business transactions helping to identify risks and opportunities
• Undertake market assessments or commercial due diligence assignments to help clients to understand the opportunities and risks in their market both in the context of transactions or as part of their go-to-market plan

Knowing you’re right for us  

Joining us as a Strategic Performance Improvement Associate Director, the minimum criteria you’ll need is to have:

• Consulting experience, and able to evidence delivering complex cost reduction / margin improvement projects with two to four direct reports. This would require strong project management skills i.e. managing client, team members, scope, deliverable, budget and timelines.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively to solve complex problems and deliver innovative cost reduction opportunities in a time pressured environment;
• Excellent financial knowledge and the ability to interrogate financial statements;
• Excellent spreadsheet capabilities, with proven experience in data analysis (financial, commercial and operational data) to aide decision making;
• Ability to think on the spot and propose solutions to senior stakeholders, and present findings to C-suite in a tailored way;
• Excellent communication skills, and able to work with and influence stakeholders of different levels of seniority, demonstrating empathy;
• Ability to scope the project based on a client ask and help the team to define a delivery approach;
• Ability to work as part of a team, often to demanding deadlines, and coach and support junior team members;
• Open-minded, flexible and adaptable approach to changing priorities;
• Excellent report writing skills i.e. ability to articulate and present information in line with the scope and target audience; and
• Strong attention to detail

It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way:  

• ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified (or other relevant qualifications)
• Line Management experience i.e. experience managing other people’s career development
• Exposure to commercial discussions with customers or suppliers in various sectors
• Financial modelling skills
• Business development skills to identify and discuss further support to clients

Knowing we’re right for you 

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone.  Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential. 

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.  

Beyond the job   

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. 

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society.

It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be. 

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