Principal Consultant

Principal Consultant – MOD, Defence, Government
Location - Winchester, Hampshire / Hybrid role
Salary: £70,000 to £90,000 plus bonus, medical, life insurance
The Opportunity
Our client is looking for a positive and enthusiastic Principal Consultant with demonstrable experience in developing Cat A 5-case model Business Cases within UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Government (Navy, Submarine, Army). This role combines a sound knowledge of consultancy delivery with strategic business case leadership, focussing on the strategic case and economic case, optioneering, evidence and approvals. It is an excellent opportunity to become a key member of a small, agile, and growing consultancy working at the heart of Defence transformation.
You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills , strong stakeholder engagement skills and able to build collaborative relationships
You will work in a dynamic team with consultants, analysts and senior MOD stakeholders across a range of complex transformation programmes. This role will initially support Defence clients, delivering robust, evidence‑based Business Cases that secure investment and enable successful delivery.
Skills & Experience required for role of Principal Consultant:
We believe skills and experience of the following will enable you to excel in this role:
* Extensive experience developing MOD Business Cases (SOC, OBC, FBC) for complex programmes, platforms, digital, data, or capability investments.
* Collaborative working with MOD finance, commercial, and assurance teams.
* Strong knowledge of HM Treasury Green Book, JSP 655 and Defence approvals processes.
* Proven ability to build compelling strategic, economic, commercial, financial, and management cases supported by robust evidence and analysis.
* Experience eliciting requirements, defining business processes, and developing target operating models in complex Defence environments.
* Knowledge of data analysis, benefits realisation, and performance measurement to underpin investment decisions.
* Requirements management.
* Capability Management.
* Experience leading senior client interactions and establishing trusted‑advisor relationships on both short‑ and long‑term engagements.
* Strong delivery leadership skills, including managing multi‑disciplinary teams.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to influence at all levels.
* A positive, flexible, and collaborative approach, with a preference for building and working as part of high‑performing teams.
* The ability to engage and enthuse personnel, and provide effective support and challenge, across all areas and at all levels within client organisations.
* Recent UK Defence Security Clearance (SC or DV)
The Principal Consultants role will include:
* Leading the development of high‑value MOD Business Cases, including Strategic Outline Case (SOC), Outline Business Case (OBC), and Full Business Case (FBC), in line with HM Treasury Green Book and MOD approvals processes.
* Shaping investment strategies, options analysis, affordability models, investment appraisals, benefits cases, and value‑for‑money arguments to secure senior and investment approval.
* Working directly with MOD and Defence stakeholders as a lead business analyst and trusted advisor to help stakeholders agree the best option / strategy.
* Defining and analysing complex business problems, operating models, and capability gaps within Defence environments.
* Providing leadership, and leading teams across solution architecture and delivery oversight to ensure Business Cases are credible, deliverable, and benefits‑led.
* Contributing to developing the company’s business case and analysis capabilities.
* Developing and managing senior client relationships, including SROs, programme directors, and commercial, finance, and assurance stakeholders.
* Building and managing relationships with delivery partners and specialist associates.
* A competitive package will be offered, based on your experience.
This is a hybrid role, you will be required to travel to client sites mainly across the Southeast, Southwest, London, occasional trips to other parts of the UK and Scotland. The role is a mix of client sites, office and home working.
Keywords – Cat A, 5 Case Business Model, FBC, OBC, SOC, Green Book, JSP 655, Defence, MOD, Government, Investment Approvals, Risk Management, Project Management , Strategic Case, Economic Case, Commercial Case, Financial Case, Management Case, Requirements Management, Capability Management, Investment Strategies, Options Analysis, Affordability Models, Benefits Cases, Digital, Data Analysis
Principal Consultant – MOD, Defence, Government