Role Overview
An Assistant in the Audit & Consulting Resource Management team will support the Senior Assistant and Senior Manager in monitoring business performance for NFP, Pensions & Corporate Audit and Consulting. Responsibilities include fulfilling engagement resource requests for major accounts, managing capacity planning, and ensuring operational excellence.
Responsibilities
* Support and deliver end-to-end resourcing solutions to the client-facing business across Audit & Consulting.
* Help manage headcount and capacity planning, optimising utilisation and chargeability of the client-facing workforce, and provide information to leadership on utilisation levels, key availability areas, business performance and forecasting to support business decisions.
* Maintain the accuracy of the Retain (Resource Management Forecasting Tool) daily, liaise with stakeholders, manage Retain queries and find alternative work for last‑minute releases, resolving clashes from client bookings, exams, training or annual leave.
* Manage a rolling 6‑12 month forward audit planning cycle, process 6‑month bookings onto Retain twice a year, handle outstanding shortages and resolve any clashes, ensuring all clients submit requests within deadlines.
* Perform stock‑take allocations, considering location, and manage the relevant spreadsheet.
* Monitor and escale resource availability on a weekly basis, working proactively with colleagues across the wider Audit team to maximise utilisation.
* Consult Audit & Consulting Managers for the current stage of sell‑on initiatives each week for any unconfirmed opportunities in Retain.
* Collaborate with national teams and other offices such as Manchester, MSW, Thames Valley, and Kent.
* Work effectively with the Trainee Development Team on areas of cross‑over and collaboration.
* Engage client‑facing staff to understand their experiences for appropriate audit work alignment.
* Support onboarding of new graduates and staff, including induction.
* Review and manage all absence requests via Horizon (annual leave, TOIL, unpaid leave), ensuring accurate reflection in Retain.
* Act as the first point of contact for all absences.
* Review Horizon weekly for new joiners and leavers to update Retain proactively.
* Monitor utilisation levels and present a monthly view using StarPDM and Retain.
* Track missing timesheets weekly and chase individuals for completion.
* Prepare, analyse and present management information to senior stakeholders on operational excellence metrics such as utilisation, Retain vs Actuals, variations, availability and schedule reports.
* Attend regular update meetings with key stakeholders and client‑facing staff to review management information and recommend actions.
* Produce and maintain ad‑hoc and regular management information reports, interpreting and acting on results.
* Review hot desk usage, ensuring staff update their availability status daily.
* Track annual leave reports through Horizon monthly, contacting staff with high balances by mid‑January.
* Undertake ad‑hoc project work at the request of the Partners or Resource Manager.
* Serve as the key contact for all client handlers, dealing with operational and support queries.
* Maintain a thorough understanding of all business processes to resolve or delegate queries.
* Support the rollout of new initiatives, systems and processes.
Key Requirements
* Effective written and oral communication skills, collaborating with key stakeholders in Consulting, Audit and the National Team, client‑focused and computer literate.
* Understanding of resource management, business operations or similar.
* Proven experience managing multiple tasks, prioritising effectively, and delivering high‑quality service under pressure.
* Strong team player who is self‑motivated, self‑reliant and results‑oriented.
* Reactive and proactive approach, able to work well under pressure.
* Experience with Retain (our forecasting tool) is a nice bonus but not mandatory.
Following changes to government policy in April 2024, we only accept applications from individuals with an existing, permanent, right to live and work in the UK.
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