Principal Consultant (12 month initial fixed term)

Are you an experienced consultant with an interest in the UK impact sector, looking to work on fulfilling, exciting and varied projects? Join our consultancy team to support a wide range of clients (charities, foundations, philanthropists, impact investors, social enterprises, corporates, and the public sector) to be as impactful as possible. You’ll be part of a fun, values-driven interdisciplinary team of wide specialisms and expertise, who combine innovative consultancy with research and thought leadership.

Location: London (Hybrid – currently 2 days a week in the office)

Salary: £44k-£54k a year (based on experience)

Contract: initially 12 months fixed term (with the possibility to convert to a permanent contract at the end upon mutual agreement)

Hours: 30hrs to 37.5hrs a week (0.8FTE to 1.0 FTE )

Our organisation: NPC is a think tank and consultancy with a purpose. We believe in the power of a growing impact sector to deliver the systems change we need to achieve lasting, positive impact in our communities. For over 20 years NPC has played a crucial role at the heart of the impact sector. We work to support and strengthen the impact sector. We do this through convening and influencing, consultancy, collaborative projects for change, and sharing our learning as we go.

This role: We are looking for someone who can develop relationships and work on a wide range of projects which might include evaluations and learning partnerships, support grant-making, developing strategies or theories of change.

The Principal Consultant role offers a great mix of consultancy and thought leadership development:

• You will design and sponsor innovative research and consultancy projects, manage senior client and funder relationships, ensure high quality delivery, and develop skills and capacity of NPC’s (senior) consultants.
• You will build out NPC’s external profile, developing external relationships, convening and collaborating with people through events, partnerships, training and other sector-facing activities.
• You will develop new ideas and contribute to NPC’s thought leadership, for example around best practices in (adaptive) strategy, user involvement, grant-making, innovation, measurement and learning.
• You will be responsible for developing business and raising funds to meet financial targets.

The attributes we are looking for include:

Essential

• A keen interest in the impact sector
• Relevant experience in a similar (external or inhouse) consultancy role or from the impact sector
• A strong inner drive, able to kick-start new ideas, generate business and develop client and funder relationships
• Intellectual curiosity and creativity, and showing a genuine passion for and awareness of the impact sector
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent client and project management skills
• High quality standards with an attention to detail
• Structured thinking and the ability to cut through complexity
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills: the ability to develop and deliver compelling presentations, to be robust and influential in discussions, and to write in a clear and engaging manner.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the impact consulting market in the UK
• A track record of successfully scoping and sponsoring consultancy and research projects, including managing and developing project teams

The diversity of work and topics, autonomy, intellectual stimulation and supportive culture makes this a special role. But we understand nobody has everything in the job description. What’s more important to us is a real enthusiasm for the job, and we are committed to supporting and developing you through informal and formal learning and training.

As an equal opportunity employer, we particularly welcome applications from ethnic minority candidates and individuals who self-identify as being from an economically and/or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are based in London and have regular in person meetings. There is a preference for at least two days in the office, but we are open to applicants who wish to work compressed hours or on a part time basis, at least 30 hours per week, and agree hybrid arrangements. We also offer a range of competitive benefits.

You can apply by sending:

• a cover letter that highlights the attributes that you believe that you would bring to this role (max 1 page)
• your CV
• a completed equal opportunities form (link on our website)

to [email protected] quoting Reference PR:03 in the subject line. We encourage you to apply early, as we review applications on a rolling basis and will close the vacancy once we have received sufficient high-quality applications.

Those interested in applying are invited to join a briefing call at 1pm on 14 July 2025 to get a better sense of the role and working at NPC. All potential applicants will remain anonymous during this call. Anyone who would like to attend this call should email [email protected] – you are welcome to submit questions in advance via email.

Please note that we are unable to accept applications from those without the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot offer sponsorship for this role at this time.