Associate Director – Advisory Services

Associate Director – Advisory Services – Financial Services (FCA)

Reporting to the Senior Director, the Associate Director (AD) of Huntswood’s Advisory Services is a senior leadership role that bridges high-level executive strategy with day-to-day client engagement and delivery team management. They focus on driving business growth, ensuring operational excellence, and leading teams to deliver specialised consulting solutions to clients.

Core Responsibilities

• Pipeline Generation: Proactively identify market opportunities, lead cold and warm outreach, and systematically build a continuous pipeline of qualified enterprise leads, whilst liaising with Sales and Client Services to coordinate approaches.
• End-to-End Deal Conversion: Architect the pitch strategy, write winning commercial proposals, present to C-suite buyers, and negotiate high-value engagement terms to close deals.
• Key Account Farming: Deepen footprints within existing client organisations by cross-selling different advisory pillars (e.g., introducing tech advisory to a financial advisory client) and up-selling larger project phases
• Client Engagement & Strategy: Lead the design and delivery of complex consulting projects, ensuring engagements are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality. Act as a trusted adviser and primary point of contact for key stakeholders.
• Utilisation/Billing: Achieve c40% average billable time across each calendar month.
• Business Development: Drive revenue growth by originating new business, developing pitches/proposals, and expanding relationships with existing clients. Create and promote sector-specific thought leadership.
• Operations & Risk Management: Support the Senior Director in departmental operations. Manage engagement risks, ensure compliance with firm policies, and oversee financial performance such as budgeting and resource allocation.

Key Skills & Requirements

• Commercial Acumen: Strong capability in financial modelling, data analysis, or sector-specific regulatory frameworks (depending on the advisory focus, e.g., Financial Services, Utilities or Telecoms).
• Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills to influence client investment decisions and secure stakeholder buy-in.
• Problem Solving: Ability to navigate ambiguity, synthesise complex data into actionable advice, and formulate creative solutions for clients.
• Technology: A working understanding of Customer Relationship Management, Complaint Management Systems and Amazon Web Services is helpful.
• AI: Interest and some exposure to AI would be advantageous.

Experience & Progression

• Background: Typically requires 5 to 8+ years of relevant experience in management consulting in a leading consultancy firm, or a highly regulated senior industry role.
• Regulation: In-depth knowledge of FCA rules and regulation, with a pragmatic view/experience as to their implementation. Other similar regulatory knowledge is useful.
• Education: Degree qualified or sufficient industry experience in a relevant role.

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