Manager, Defence & Policing - London, Manchester or Cheltenham

Gate One is a global business and digital transformation consultancy dedicated to helping clients thrive. As part of Havas, one of the world's largest global communications groups, creativity is in our DNA and informs how we think, work and accelerate meaningful change. We work shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients to deliver lasting impact, helping organisations build the capabilities, confidence and momentum to sustain change long after we have left.

As we continue to grow our Defence and Policing portfolio, we are seeking experienced consulting Managers to help our clients tackle some of their most complex transformation challenges. Our work spans operating model transformation, programme delivery, organisational design, change management, digital enablement and service modernisation across policing, central government, and defence environments.

As a Manager, you will lead client engagements and major workstreams, building trusted client relationships whilst helping senior leaders deliver complex transformation programmes. You will combine strong delivery leadership with commercial awareness, helping to shape new opportunities and grow client accounts.

You will be responsible for leading teams, managing client stakeholders, overseeing quality delivery and coaching more junior colleagues. You will also play a meaningful role in business development, proposition development and the continued growth of our Defence & Policing practice.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about delivering meaningful outcomes across defence, policing and public sector organisations and wants to take the next step towards senior leadership within consulting.

What You'll Do Lead complex transformation work

• Lead client engagements and significant workstreams across large and complex transformation programmes.
• Shape project approaches, methodologies and deliverables that deliver measurable client outcomes.
• Manage project risks, dependencies and stakeholder challenges within highly complex environments.
• Provide intellectual leadership on transformation challenges and develop practical solutions to complex problems.
• Ensure consistently high-quality delivery and positive client feedback.

Build trusted client relationships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders ranging from operational leaders to senior executives.
• Act as a trusted adviser within client organisations, challenging constructively and influencing decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to broaden Gate One's impact beyond immediate project scope.
• Work collaboratively with client teams to build sustainable capability and achieve lasting change.

Grow the Defence & Policing practice

• Shape and develop opportunities within existing client accounts.
• Lead components of major bids, proposals and framework responses.
• Contribute to account planning and help drive growth across Defence & Policing clients.
• Support development of thought leadership, credentials and market propositions.
• Build and maintain an external network across the Defence and Policing ecosystem.
• Play an active role in generating and maturing opportunities across the sector.

Develop people and build the firm

• Lead and coach consulting teams, supporting delivery excellence and career development.
• Provide mentoring, feedback and professional development to Consultants and Senior Consultants.
• Contribute to recruitment activities, interview processes and talent development initiatives.
• Lead internal initiatives that strengthen Gate One's capabilities, sector expertise and ways of working.
• Champion inclusive leadership and create an environment where individuals can thrive.

What We're Looking For Essential Experience

• Experience delivering consulting and transformation programmes within Defence, Policing, or the wider public sector. You will already be operating at Manager grade within another consulting firm.
• Experience leading project teams and managing workstreams across complex programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience engaging senior client audiences.
• Experience delivering organisational transformation, operating model change, digital transformation, business change, service transformation or programme delivery.
• Demonstrable experience managing teams and developing junior colleagues.
• Experience contributing to business development activities, bids and proposals.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical and communication skills.
• Active UK security clearance

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with UK government departments, defence organisations or policing bodies as a consultant
• Experience delivering large-scale digital, operational or organisational transformation programmes.
• Experience supporting account growth and developing client relationships.

What Success Looks Like

Successful Managers at Gate One:

• Lead complex engagements and teams with a high degree of autonomy.
• Build trusted relationships across multiple levels of client organisations.
• Develop recognised expertise
• Generate and shape opportunities that contribute to account growth.
• Coach and develop others whilst creating high-performing teams.
• Make a meaningful contribution to one of Gate One's strategic priorities.
• Act as role models for our values of Candour, Humility, Aspiration, Entrepreneurship, Grit and Empathy.

Why Gate One?

At Gate One, you will be part of a consultancy that combines the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a challenger brand with the scale and reach of the Havas network. We provide opportunities to work on high-impact transformation programmes, develop specialist expertise and shape the future growth of our business.

Our commitment is to offer an "Altogether More" employee experience, where talented people can do their best work, grow their careers and make a lasting impact on clients, colleagues and communities.

Inclusion & Accessibility

Gate One is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring a fair and accessible recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application process where required.

Candidates must hold the legal Right to Work in the UK and meet the level of experience outlined above to be considered for this role.