Advisory - Consulting - FS Project Manager – Associate Director - Dublin / Belfast

Job Description & Summary

Grant Thornton is seeking experienced Project Managers to join our Consulting team. The role offers a chance to contribute to and support a variety of client engagements, helping drive project team success within the project management and change and innovation space. This is a fast-paced, high-growth environment, offering the opportunity to build on existing skills while working alongside talented professionals.

The role will focus on delivering consulting services in finance transformation, operational excellence, project and change management, strategy, digital, and business transformation, with a particular emphasis on core project management responsibilities in the banking and financial services domain.

This role will also support clients in delivering large-scale transformation programmes, including digital transformation and customer experience (CX) initiatives, such as the redesign of customer journeys, optimisation of digital channels, and embedding customer-centric operating models. The successful candidate will play a key role in helping organisations leverage data, technology and process innovation to enhance customer outcomes, drive efficiency and support sustainable growth.

Embrace the possibility to apply – at Grant Thornton we are constantly upskilling our staff. If you do not meet all of the listed requirements, please do not be discouraged from applying. We value a growth-oriented mindset and are dedicated to supporting you in reaching your full potential.

Roles & Responsibilities

Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team to successfully deliver and manage projects across a range of key areas, including:

Project Management Delivery

• Leading the delivery of complex projects and programmes for key clients across various industries, ensuring high-quality outputs and successfully meeting tight deadlines.

• Leading or supporting the delivery of transformation initiatives, including digital transformation, encompassing the implementation of new technologies, automation solutions and digital platforms to improve operational efficiency and customer engagement.

• Defining and driving projects across all stages of the project life cycle.

• Leading cross-functional teams spanning multiple business units and functions.

• Designing and delivering customer experience transformation initiatives, including end-to-end journey redesign, pain point identification and implementation of improved customer-centric processes and service models.

• Defining, scoping and delivering comprehensive project documentation including, but not limited to, status updates, governance updates, RAID logs, project initiation documents etc.

• Leading development of comprehensive project plans, defining roles and responsibilities and creating clear communications strategies.

• Experience in mapping end-to-end customer journeys for retail banking products such as personal loans, mortgages, and credit cards.

• Leading the design and mobilisation of enterprise-wide digital and customer transformation programmes, aligning business strategy, technology enablement, and operating model change.

• Leveraging customer and operational data to inform decision-making, identify improvement opportunities and track the impact of transformation initiatives.

Business Development

• Offering expert advice on project and programme management, delivery frameworks and operational improvements.

• Acting as a key liaison between multi-faceted project teams to ensure seamless communication and alignment.

• Leading workshops to define project scopes and business requirements, ensuring outcomes are documented and shared with relevant stakeholders.

• Engaging stakeholders across various disciplines to drive project momentum and success.

• Leading and driving Business Development initiatives including the preparation of proposals and tenders for new client opportunities.

• Supporting the development of propositions and thought leadership in digital transformation and customer experience, contributing to client engagements and proposals in these areas.

Skills and Experience

Education and Certifications

• A third level degree, with a strong academic record.

• Project Management certification, with a demonstrated ability to apply best practices, tools and methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, Agile, or tailored approaches) to deliver measurable project outcomes.

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong Project / Programme Management experience leading large multi-disciplinary teams comprised of clients, consultants and third-party vendors.

• Financial Services Industry experience including Retail Banking, Asset Management and Insurance.

• Understanding of digital transformation drivers, including process automation, emerging technologies, and digital operating models.

• Familiarity with Central Bank of Ireland Regulatory Landscape including the Consumer Protection Code.

• Experience or familiarity with customer experience methodologies, including customer journey mapping, service design, and customer-centric process improvement.

• Understanding of retail and commercial banking products (loans, mortgages, credit cards).

• Proven track record of successfully managing end-to-end projects across all stages of the project life cycle, particularly in complex and demanding environments.

• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to professional and client service excellence and developing effective working relationships.

• Strong multi-tasking abilities and the ability to meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

• Experience in leading business development opportunities as well as crafting and responding to client proposals would be favourable.

• Expertise in C-Suite / Senior Management engagement and communication.

• An ability to balance big-picture thinking with acute attention to detail.

• A natural curiosity to explore new business opportunities.

• A creative, problem-solving mindset and initiative-driven approach.

• Ability to link transformation initiatives to measurable business outcomes, including customer satisfaction, efficiency gains, and revenue growth.