Principal Consultant (Innovation & Technology)

Principal Consultant (Innovation \& Technology) Closing date: COP on Friday 11 September 2026 About the Role As a Principal Consultant within the Innovation \& Technology team, you will operate at the intersection of business strategy, data, and artificial intelligence - leading AI-enabled transformations from strategy through to production, and owning the business case that proves their value. You will thrive in this role if you excel in ambiguity, are confident engaging with a broad range of stakeholders, and bring a strong, informed perspective on how AI \& Technology can responsibly and effectively reshape businesses at scale. Responsibilities: * Facilitating workshops, interviews, and working sessions with senior leadership to define strategic priorities, target operating models, and transformation opportunities. * Designing future-state solutions, from use-case identification and prioritisation through to target architecture, across generative AI and advanced analytics. * Translating complex technical and analytical concepts into executive-ready narratives and recommendations a board can act on. * Building proofs of concept and pilots hands-on, then the governance frameworks and roadmaps that take them to scale. * Collaborating with cross-functional teams of engineers, designers, and consultants to deliver scalable AI and data transformation initiatives. * Mentoring junior consultants and cross-functional peers, raising technical capability and delivery standards across the team. About Your Experience * 8+ years combining hands-on technical delivery, strategy or management consulting, and depth in at least one industry vertical. * Deep understanding of enterprise architecture and integration patterns - APIs, event streaming, batch pipelines - and how data flows between core systems. * Demonstrable, hands-on experience designing, building and deploying generative AI or agentic solutions through to live production use, not proof-of-concept alone. * Experience establishing evaluation, testing and governance frameworks for AI systems, addressing output reliability, model risk and responsible AI practice. * Track record of building AI-specific or large technology initiatives business cases, including ROI modelling and cost-to-serve (compute, licensing and ongoing operational cost).Capability to translate business requirements into technical solutions that align with client objectives. * Strong background in client-facing roles, providing technical leadership and guidance throughout the project lifecycle. * Experience partnering with Project Management teams to track delivery against schedule and budget. * Experience in presales activities, including solution demonstrations, proposal development, and cost estimation. * Strong communication skills to effectively interact with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams. * Ability to collaborate across diverse teams and work within a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You will bring the following behaviours: Key Leadership Skills: * Decision Making: Make informed, strategic decisions that balance risks and opportunities to deliver optimal outcomes. * Conflict Resolution: Address and resolve conflicts constructively, fostering a collaborative work environment. Navigate complex interactions with diplomacy and tact. Key Behaviours: * Adaptability: Adapt quickly to changing requirements and expectations. Embrace new challenges and pivot strategies as needed. * Commercial Awareness: Understand the financial impact of architectural decisions. Align solution choices with commercial strategy and cost constraints. * Communication: Communicate complex technical concepts in an accessible manner to stakeholders. Maintain open, transparent communication with internal teams. * Independent Working: Take initiative to manage tasks and resolve issues autonomously. Deliver high-quality outputs with minimal supervision. * Collaboration: Work effectively with cross-functional teams for cohesive project execution. Actively contribute to team goals and support colleagues in their roles. Foster a team-oriented culture that values diverse perspectives. * Problem Solving: Approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset, developing innovative solutions. Analyse issues thoroughly to implement effective resolutions. * Time Management: Prioritise tasks to meet deadlines and expectations. Run multiple concurrent engagements without slipping delivery dates. * Resilience: Maintain composure under pressure and persevere through setbacks. Demonstrate the ability to recover quickly from challenges. * Emotional Intelligence: Recognise and manage emotions to build effective working relationships. Exhibit empathy towards team members, enhancing collaboration and trust. * Creativity: Bring fresh ideas and perspectives to solution design and problem-solving.