Can you credibly partner at leadership level, listen deeply to client challenges, frame ambiguous problems, and design practical, evidence‑based solutions that deliver impact? Ready to grow a new consulting area—find opportunities, build proposals, and turn insight into action.
About our team
Through its Academic and Government (A&G) division, Elsevier works with universities, governments and funders to support leaders in defining their objectives, monitoring their progress and identifying actions to achieve their goals. This is achieved through a range of data sources, tools and services that are designed to bring insight and deliver impact. The A&G team is currently accelerating the development of new tools and professional services that it offers to 4th Generation Universities and their partners. 4th Generation universities are defined by the role they play in driving regional innovation ecosystems and the economic and societal impact that they deliver. Within this context, A&G is creating a new team to help support, guide and assist universities in delivering their 4GU related goals. The team will support universities and their partners from across the private, public and charitable sectors in implementing the changes they require to drive transformative impact locally and globally.
About the role
Reporting to the Principal Consultant, the Senior Consultant / Engagement Manager – Strategy & Consulting plays a key role in delivering high‑quality consulting projects and supporting the growth of a new and evolving portfolio. This is a true client‑facing consulting role, requiring experience in diagnosing client needs, structuring problems, and co‑developing solutions with senior leaders.
This role leads the end‑to‑end delivery of consulting assignments, from engagement design through insight generation and implementation, working closely with senior stakeholders across academic and government sectors. The consultant collaborates with colleagues to shape new opportunities, contribute to a strong project pipeline, and support the development of a high‑performing consulting team. Using analytical thinking, clear communication, and effective project leadership, this role helps build trusted partnerships and a strong reputation for quality, impact, and collaboration.
Responsibilities
* Lead senior‑level client engagements, including discovery interviews, problem definition, option shaping, and recommendation delivery
* Lead the end‑to‑end design and delivery of consultancy projects supporting academic and government organisations to develop 4th Generation strategies
* Plan and manage project resources to deliver agreed outcomes within time, budget, and quality expectations
* Apply structured consulting problem‑solving approaches (e.g. hypothesis‑driven analysis) overseeing high‑quality qualitative and quantitative research and analysis
* Develop clear, client‑ready insights and recommendations, translating analysis into strategic options and practical implementation approaches
* Prepare and present high‑quality proposals, plans, and reports for senior internal and external audiences
* Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across higher education and government sectors
* Collaborate across Elsevier to bring together the right expertise and capabilities for project delivery
* Contribute to the growth and visibility of the 4GU consultancy portfolio through internal initiatives and external engagement
Requirements
* Strong consulting experience, gained within a management consultancy, strategy advisory firm, or equivalent consulting environment
* Proven experience leading client‑facing consulting engagements or complex advisory projects, from problem definition through to implementation
* Strong understanding of, or transferable experience within, higher education, research, innovation, or public policy environments
* Ability to analyse, interpret, and synthesise data to produce clear, actionable insights
* Experience working with senior leaders or decision‑makers in academic, government, or related organisations
* Strong communication skills, with confidence presenting complex ideas clearly to varied audiences
* Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment
* Professional, inclusive, and relationship‑focused consulting approach, with confidence operating as a trusted advisor to senior clients
* Ideal backgrounds may include management consulting, strategy advisory, or transformation roles within consulting firms, advisory practices, or in‑house consulting teams.
Working for you
* Generous holiday allowance with the option to buy additional days
* Health screening, eye care vouchers and private medical benefits
* Wellbeing programs
* Life assurance
* Access to a competitive contributory pension scheme
* Save As You Earn share option scheme
* Travel Season ticket loan
* Electric Vehicle Scheme
* Optional Dental Insurance
* Maternity, paternity and shared parental leave
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Access to emergency care for both the elderly and children
* RECARES days, giving you time to support the charities and causes that matter to you
* Access to employee resource groups with dedicated time to volunteer
* Access to extensive learning and development resources
* Access to employee discounts scheme via Perks at Work
Equal Opportunity Employer
qualified applicants are considered for and treated during employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, disability status, protected veteran status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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