Principal Consultant - London

Job Description 

Role Summary

The Principal Consultant / Engagement Lead is accountable for the overall quality, integration and client relevance of the Research and Development Digital and Data Strategy engagement. This role leads senior stakeholder alignment, owns the strategic storyline, ensures all workstreams connect to enterprise and Petcare priorities, and translates complex findings into decision-ready outputs.

The ideal candidate combines strategy consulting depth, data and artificial intelligence fluency, executive communication skills and the ability to move from ambiguity to clear prioritisation, roadmap and operating model recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

▪ Lead the engagement plan, workstream coordination, milestones, risks and quality assurance.

▪ Facilitate senior stakeholder discussions with Research and Development, Digital Technology, Data and Analytics, Product Lifecycle Management and Value Chain Operations leaders.

▪ Own the strategic narrative linking Research and Development Digital to Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures, Petcare priorities and business value.

▪ Guide big-rock prioritisation, value thesis development and roadmap sequencing.

▪ Ensure deliverables are executive-ready, practical and aligned to client decision needs.

▪ Serve as the primary point of accountability for final recommendations and leadership readouts.

Qualifications

▪ 10+ years in strategy consulting, digital transformation, data strategy or operating model advisory.

▪ Experience leading senior client engagements from strategy through mobilisation planning.

▪ Strong executive storytelling, structured problem-solving and stakeholder management skills.

▪ Working knowledge of data strategy, artificial intelligence enablement, operating models and transformation roadmaps.

▪ Location: London-based preferred; Paris-based candidates will also be considered.

Expected Outcomes

▪ Clear leadership alignment on the Research and Development Digital strategic narrative.

▪ Prioritised decisions on big rocks and roadmap sequencing.

▪ Integrated final strategy pack ready for governance, funding and mobilisation.