Senior Business Consultant (Defence)

At Actica, our Senior Business Consultants help Defence organisations solve complex challenges, deliver meaningful change, and improve the way they operate. Working across a variety of Defence programmes, you'll support clients in developing strategies, delivering transformation, and making informed decisions about future investments and capabilities.
As a trusted adviser, you'll work closely with stakeholders across Defence, government and industry, providing independent advice and practical support. From developing business cases and supporting major programmes to helping clients manage change and navigate complexity, you'll play a key role in delivering successful outcomes.
This role will typically suit someone with 2 - 5 years' experience, gained in consulting, Defence, the Armed Forces, government or industry. More important than a specific number of years, however, is your ability to build relationships, think critically, communicate clearly and turn complex challenges into practical solutions. If you're looking for an opportunity to make a real impact while continuing to develop your consulting career, we'd love to hear from you.
Location: UK-wide Hybrid / South-West UK

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Business Consultant, you will take ownership of defined workstreams and smaller assignments, working alongside Actica’s technical and domain specialists. You will build trusted client relationships, support junior colleagues and contribute to the continued growth of our Defence business.
You do not need to be a specialist in every area. We are looking for strong consulting fundamentals, credible Defence experience and the ability to learn quickly, work collaboratively and deliver useful outcomes.
Your work could include:

• Lead defined workstreams and smaller consulting assignments from problem definition through to delivery.
• Work with clients to understand their objectives, operating environment and underlying challenges.
• Structure complex or ambiguous problems and develop clear, evidence-based recommendations.
• Undertake qualitative and quantitative analysis to support decisions and delivery.
• Produce high-quality reports, presentations, strategies, business cases, operating models and other client deliverables.
• Plan and facilitate workshops, interviews and stakeholder meetings.
• Identify and communicate delivery risks, dependencies and opportunities.
• Build credible relationships with military, Civil Service, Defence delivery organisation and industry stakeholders.
• Coordinate small teams or multidisciplinary workstreams and support the development of junior colleagues.
• Contribute to proposals, client presentations, case studies and the development of Actica’s Defence capabilities.

As your experience develops, you may also lead larger assignments, manage engagement teams and contribute to Actica’s wider consulting capability.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential
We recognise that people develop expertise through different career journeys. We are looking for the core capabilities below, rather than a candidate who matches every possible area of experience.

• Experience working within, or delivering services to, the UK Defence sector.
• The ability to structure ambiguous problems and develop practical, evidence-based solutions.
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex subjects clearly.
• Confidence building credibility and working collaboratively with stakeholders at different levels of seniority.
• Experience planning or facilitating workshops, interviews or stakeholder engagement.
• The ability to manage priorities, work with a high degree of autonomy and take responsibility for quality and outcomes.
• Experience working effectively in multidisciplinary teams and supporting the development of others.

Desirable

It would be beneficial if you bring experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Management, business or technology consulting.
• Digital transformation, data, technology, architecture, cyber security, service management, business analysis, organisational change or programme delivery.
• Developing strategies, business cases, operating models, capability assessments or transformation roadmaps.
• Experience delivering complex projects, programmes or consulting assignments, with ownership of workstreams or significant deliverables.
• Working within MOD Head Office, Front Line Commands, Defence Digital, Defence Equipment & Support or another Defence delivery organisation.
• Contributing to bids, proposals, account development or wider business development activity.
• Defence acquisition, commercial, governance or assurance processes.
• Working in secure, highly regulated or mission-critical environments.

Please apply even if you do not meet every desirable criterion. We will consider the overall strength and potential of your experience.

Career Development

We invest heavily in our people and their long-term success.

As a Senior Business Consultant, you'll be supported by a dedicated Mentor and Performance & Development Manager to help you continue developing your expertise, leadership skills and consulting capability.

Whether you aspire to become a recognised subject matter expert, lead larger and more complex engagements, or progress into senior leadership roles, you'll have access to structured development opportunities, professional qualifications and practical experience across a wide range of assignments.

Security Requirements

• Due to the nature of our work, candidates must be eligible and willing to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC) as a minimum. Find out more information about the Security Clearance (SC) process and requirements here. 

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid working model with flexibility to work from home, client sites and Actica offices.
• Typical working patterns may involve a combination of remote working and client-site engagement.
• Some assignments may require more regular on-site attendance due to security, operational or programme requirements.
• Projects may involve travel and occasional overnight stays during the working week.
• Collaborative team environment with opportunities to contribute to internal innovation, capability development and knowledge sharing.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Actica, we believe diverse perspectives strengthen our teams and improve outcomes for our clients. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and has the opportunity to thrive.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and make employment decisions based on skills, experience, potential and business requirements. We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and accessible working environment for all.

Why Join Us?

You will work alongside experienced consultants, architects and subject matter experts on some of the most challenging and rewarding programmes in Defence. You will have the opportunity to influence important decisions, take genuine ownership of client work and see the impact of your contribution.

You will be part of a collaborative environment that values expertise, integrity, innovation and continuous development, with opportunities to broaden your experience, shape your career and contribute to the growth of Actica’s Defence practice.

Benefits

• 25 days of paid leave per annum plus 8 UK bank holidays
• Participation in a discretionary bonus scheme 
• Participation in our stakeholder pension scheme 
• Participation in cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Electric Car leasing Scheme