Senior Management Consultant

Senior Principal – Local Public Services

Deliver transformation where people, organisation and strategy meet.

Public services are facing some of the toughest challenges in a generation — rising demand, constrained funding, workforce pressures and increasing scrutiny. At Korn Ferry, we work with leaders across local government and public services to respond to these challenges by designing organisations, services and workforces that are fit for the future.

We’re now looking for a Senior Principal to play a leading role in our Local Public Services (LPS) team — a senior transformation leader who combines strategic thinking with delivery strength and brings a clear organisational strategy through a human capital lens.

This is a role for someone who understands that meaningful transformation doesn’t happen in theory — it happens when operating models, organisational design, governance, culture and workforce capability are aligned and delivered at pace.

The opportunity

As a Senior Principal, you’ll lead large‑scale, high‑profile transformation programmes across local authorities and wider public service organisations. You’ll work directly with senior leaders, helping them translate strategic intent into practical, sustainable change that improves outcomes for communities.

You’ll own delivery end‑to‑end — shaping programmes from early direction‑setting through mobilisation, implementation and benefits realisation. Your work will span organisational strategy, structure, service redesign, workforce transformation and change, often in politically sensitive and highly visible environments where credibility and judgement matter.

You will be based either around Manchester or London but with a UK-wide remit to work with clients across the UK. There will be overnight stays in addition to travel to meet with clients face to face to develop strong working partnerships.

This is not a supporting role. You’ll have real autonomy and influence, managing complex workstreams, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.

You’ll be recognised as someone who:

• Leads complex transformation confidently, bringing clarity and momentum in ambiguous environments
• Translates organisational strategy into operating models, governance arrangements and delivery plans that work in practice
• Brings a strong human capital lens — aligning structure, capability, culture and leadership to enable sustainable change
• Builds trusted relationships with Directors, Chief Officers and programme sponsors, providing challenge as well as support
• Navigates political, financial and workforce constraints without losing sight of delivery outcomes
• Develops teams, contributes to propositions, and helps shape Korn Ferry’s Local Public Services offer

Why Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global organisational consulting firm, but what makes us distinctive is how we work. We don’t treat strategy, organisation, leadership and people as separate problems — we bring them together to help clients move from ambition to execution.

Within the Local Public Services team, you’ll work on some of the most complex and meaningful transformation agendas in the public sector. You’ll be surrounded by experienced colleagues, proven methodologies and deep organisational strategy expertise — while still having the freedom to lead in your own way.

Is this you?

This role will appeal to you if you’re:

• An experienced transformation leader who enjoys accountability and complexity
• Motivated by delivery, not just design
• Comfortable operating at senior levels in challenging, stakeholder‑rich environments
• Keen to make a tangible impact on how public services are organised and delivered

If you’re looking for a senior role that combines purpose, influence and delivery, and where your work genuinely matters, we’d love to hear from you.