Head of Consulting

Reporting to the Director of Client Solutions with a line to the CEO

Included is a global, impact-led consultancy founded as a legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We exist to create meaningful societal impact by transforming organisations, driving mindset and behavioural shifts, and embedding inclusion into the employee and customer experience.

We are committed to delivering exceptional client service and solutions while achieving measurable change in the value added to benefit individuals, organisations and the wider world. We do this in a variety of ways, documented in our acclaimed impact reports, with our work covering five areas:

1.     Strategy: Partnering with CEOs and HR leaders to embed Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) into organisational strategy.

2.     Data: Designing, modelling, and analysing inclusion metrics to inform impactful interventions.

3.     Governance: Enhancing corporate decision-making processes, from boardrooms to operational teams.

4.     Leadership Development: Delivering keynotes, workshops, coaching, and our Inclusive Leadership programmes to truly embed inclusion into behaviours and responsibilities.

5.     Systems Reengineering: Identifying and de-biasing critical business processes, such as recruitment, procurement, and performance management.

With world-class expertise in designing and delivering impactful solutions across the public, private, and third sectors, Included works with a diverse client base. From leading tech and financial institutions to pharmaceuticals, legal and media organisations, universities and charities.  As a scale-up with ambitious goals, we operate internationally, with a significant presence in the UK and ambitions to expand further across Europe, US and beyond.

 Role

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Head of Consulting to join our team.  This is a central client-facing leadership role, ultimately responsible for impact through the oversight and delivery quality of Included’s range of EDI services and owning and deepening relationships with world-class organisations. In this exciting role, you will be ideas-led and solutions-focused to help clients to truly understand and embed inclusion to benefit what they do.

You will lead the Consulting function, including people management, allocation and resourcing, and day-to-day project oversight and delivery. You will also work collaboratively with the wider team to drive and support the organisation’s success, including business development activity (leading sales pitches, contributing to product innovation), account leadership (delivering brilliant projects and deepening client relationships), and operationally (including people management and consulting process efficiency). You will challenge and inspire colleagues and clients with your own thought leadership.

 You will build instant credibility with our clientele across multiple industries and geographies, helping to achieve our strategic priorities. At Included you will have the freedom to take your career wherever you want to go.

This is not a typical consulting role. We are a consultancy but with a profound purpose - delivering our services that change mindsets and behaviours, drive organisational change, and ultimately positively impact the wider world.  

Responsibilities:

·       Lead and Inspire Client Delivery: Oversee diverse, high-impact projects, ensuring exceptional delivery aligned with our mission to create measurable change. Take responsibility for project outcomes, including quality, cost management, and client satisfaction.

·       Support and Develop the Team: Lead the Consulting team and associate network with a focus on performance, resource management, and capacity planning. Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, encouraging knowledge sharing, and empowering individuals to excel and grow.

·       Enhance Client Experiences: Refine processes and advance services to deliver exceptional results, ensuring high standards of quality and efficiency across all projects.

·       Ensure Operational Excellence: Oversee the smooth execution of client engagements, taking accountability for team performance and delivery standards.

·       Encourage Growth and Learning: Mentor and support colleagues while actively pursuing your own professional development. Build an environment where continuous innovation and learning are celebrated.

·       Share Thought Leadership: Inspire clients, networks, and colleagues through meaningful insights and expertise. Lead initiatives like the annual Impact Report and establish credibility through authentic relationships and actionable contributions.

·       Nurture Client Relationships: Build and strengthen partnerships by identifying opportunities and driving engagement. Support the team in achieving business goals while delivering lasting value to clients.

·       Champion Innovation: Support and contribute to forward-thinking solutions that challenge conventional approaches. Incorporate digital transformation and future-of-work insights to keep our offerings ahead of industry trends.

Candidate Specification

Essential Skills and Experience

1.      Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to lead diverse, high-impact projects with measurable outcomes, ensuring quality delivery aligned with organisational goals.

2.      Team Development: Experience in managing and developing high-performing, inclusive teams. Skilled in resource planning, capacity management, and fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented culture.

3.      Client Excellence: A strong track record of delivering exceptional client experiences and building long-term partnerships. Ability to use feedback and data-driven insights to refine services and consistently exceed expectations.

4.     Operational Accountability: Expertise in overseeing project delivery, maintaining high standards of quality, efficiency, and value while balancing operational demands with strategic priorities.

5.      Facilitation and Leadership of EDI Delivery: Skilled in facilitating complex discussions, workshops, and programmes on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Demonstrates confidence and expertise in engaging diverse audiences, fostering open dialogue, and driving meaningful outcomes.

6.     Innovation and Future Focus: Demonstrated ability to challenge conventional approaches and create forward-thinking solutions, including experience with digital transformation and future-of-work principles.

7.      Thought Leadership: Recognised expertise in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Proven ability to inspire through impactful insights, publications, or initiatives such as annual reports. Builds credibility and meaningful relationships within networks.

8.     Sales and Business Development: Success in identifying and securing opportunities, achieving sales targets, and delivering client value. Skilled in aligning client needs with business objectives and ensuring financial sustainability.

Key Qualifications and Behaviours

1.      Experience in consulting, project delivery, or equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)-focused roles, within a B2B environment.

2.      Adaptability and resourcefulness to thrive in a small, fast-growing organisation.

3.      Facilitation and leadership skills, with the ability to design and deliver impactful workshops and programmes for diverse stakeholders.

4.     Interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire at all organisational levels.

5.      Values-driven and purpose-oriented, with a deep alignment to Included’s mission of creating measurable change through equity, diversity, and inclusion.

6.      Exhibits flexibility, self-awareness, and a proactive approach to demonstrating impact in a dynamic and evolving workplace.

About Included

If you’re looking to make a tangible difference and grow with a team that’s as passionate about EDI as you are, Included is the place for you.  We believe in building more than just workplaces — we’re creating inclusive ecosystems where every individual can thrive. We value your voice, creativity, and passion for making meaningful change.

Why Join Us?

• Impact with Purpose: We offer the opportunity to work with world-class clients at a senior level and impact executive decision-making. Your work will directly shape organisations and communities, driving systemic change and fostering cultures of belonging.

• Growth for All: We’re committed to your personal and professional growth, offering hands-on experience, continuous learning opportunities, and mentorship to help you thrive in a purpose-driven career.

• Values-Driven Culture: Our work is grounded in equity, and excellence. We practice what we preach, fostering an internal culture of inclusion, transparency, and mutual respect.

• Flexibility and Balance: We prioritize your well-being with a flexible remote work environment allowing you to do meaningful work while maintaining balance in your life.

• Collaboration and Creativity: We work closely as a supportive, diverse, and dynamic team that values ideas and innovation, giving you the freedom to influence projects and drive results. We are in touch daily, meet regularly via MS Teams, and hold regular team meetings and socials, both virtually and in person.

• Competitive package: We pride ourselves on being able to offer a market leading employee value proposition. From a market-leading salary, through to extensive leave provisions, L&D budgets and more - we create the conditions to ensure you thrive!

Our approach to being an inclusive employer

We are as passionate about creating an inclusive environment for our own people as we are for our clients. This means creating a space in which every member of our team is psychologically safe to challenge productively and positively, and to bring their unique lived experience, expertise and talent to work each day. 

Our commitment to reasonable adjustments begins at the application stage. If you need any assistance to support your application please contact us via email info@included.com  

Our Interview process

We plan to hold a 2-stage assessment process:

Assessment 1/ 29-30 January 2025: Skills based assessment and interview focusing on team leadership and delivery oversight

Assessment 2/ 12-13 February 2025: Skills based assessment and interview focusing commercial business development and account management

Both stages will be held remotely using Teams with briefing documents being shared in advance to shortlisted candidates.