Job description

Industry
Transportation

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your Impact

At Jacobs, we push the limits of what’s possible to make the world smarter, more connected and more sustainable. In our transport work, that means designing innovative solutions to move people and goods safely and efficiently across the globe. From rail systems mobilising accessible transit, to ports linking land and sea – when it comes to connecting the people and places of tomorrow, the future of transport depends on us.

Bring your curiosity, talent for multi-tasking, and extreme attention to detail, and we’ll help you grow, pursue and fulfill what drives you – so we can make big impacts on the world, together

Jacobs Advisory is seeking a Principal Consultant to play a leading role in the delivery and growth of our Strategy & Transformation capability in the Middle East.

This role is suited to an experienced management consultant who enjoys solving complex organisational challenges and working closely with clients to define strategy, redesign operating models, improve organisational effectiveness, and deliver transformation outcomes.

As a Principal Consultant, you will lead projects and major workstreams, manage multidisciplinary teams, and work directly with senior client stakeholders across government, infrastructure, utilities, and private-sector organisations. You will also contribute to the continued development of our Strategy & Transformation capability through coaching, knowledge sharing, and support for business development activities.

This is an opportunity to work on some of the region's most ambitious transformation programmes while helping to shape a growing and dynamic advisory capability.

What you’ll Do:

The Principal Consultant is responsible for leading the delivery of complex strategy and transformation projects, managing teams, shaping recommendations, and building trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.

The role combines project leadership, client delivery, people development, and capability growth, helping clients translate strategic ambition into practical and sustainable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Strategy & Transformation Projects

• Lead projects and major workstreams across strategy, operating model, organisation design, and transformation engagements.
• Structure complex problems and develop robust, evidence-based recommendations.
• Design and deliver solutions that help organisations improve performance, effectiveness, and long-term capability.
• Lead qualitative and quantitative analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop high-quality client deliverables, including presentations, reports, business cases, and executive communications.
• Support the development of implementation approaches that enable successful delivery of change.

Manage Client Relationships

• Build trusted relationships with client stakeholders and serve as a day-to-day lead on project delivery.
• Facilitate workshops, interviews, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Work closely with senior client leaders to understand challenges, align priorities, and shape practical solutions.
• Present findings and recommendations confidently to management teams and project sponsors.
• Support clients throughout both strategy development and transformation implementation.

Lead and Develop Teams

• Manage and coach consultants and senior consultants across project engagements.
• Provide clear direction, feedback, and support to help team members grow professionally.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
• Contribute to quality assurance and continuous improvement across engagements.

Support Capability Growth

• Contribute to the evolution of Jacobs' Strategy & Transformation methodologies, tools, and intellectual property.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and development of new team members.
• Share knowledge and lessons learned across projects and sectors.
• Help strengthen the capability's profile and reputation within Jacobs and the wider market.

Contribute to Business Development

• Support proposal development, opportunity shaping, and client pursuits.
• Contribute to the development of compelling client propositions and thought leadership.
• Identify opportunities for follow-on work and broader client support.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Jacobs to bring integrated solutions to clients.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• Delivering complex projects and workstreams to a high standard.
• Building credibility and trust with senior client stakeholders.
• Developing practical recommendations that translate into measurable outcomes.
• Leading and developing high-performing project teams.
• Contributing positively to capability growth and business development.
• Strengthening Jacobs' reputation as a trusted advisor in strategy and transformation.

You are an experienced consultant who combines strong analytical thinking with practical delivery experience. You are comfortable working in complex environments, leading teams, and helping clients navigate change.

You will bring:

• Experience within management consulting, advisory, or a strategy and transformation environment.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Corporate or enterprise strategy
  • Operating model design
  • Organisation design
  • Business and organisational transformation
  • Public sector reform
  • Service transformation
  • Infrastructure, utilities, or regulated-sector transformation
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Experience managing projects, workstreams, and project teams.
• Ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and facilitate productive discussions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including development of executive-level presentations and reports.
• A collaborative approach and a passion for helping clients achieve meaningful and lasting change.

Why Jacobs

At Jacobs, we help clients solve some of the world's most complex challenges across infrastructure, cities, energy, water, transport, the environment and public services.

What sets us apart is our ability to combine strategic thinking with deep sector expertise and practical delivery experience. Our clients value us not only for helping define future direction, but for understanding how organisations, assets, systems and programmes need to evolve to make that vision a reality.

Our Strategy & Transformation team works alongside technical specialists, digital experts, programme leaders and delivery professionals to develop solutions that are both ambitious and achievable. This enables us to move beyond traditional advisory services and support clients from strategy development through to implementation and lasting organisational change.

With the addition of PA Consulting's advisory capabilities, Jacobs is further strengthening its ability to help governments and organisations tackle complex transformation challenges, combining world-class strategy and innovation expertise with Jacobs' long-standing heritage in delivery and infrastructure.

Joining Jacobs offers the opportunity to work on some of the Middle East's most significant transformation programmes while helping shape the future of a growing Strategy & Transformation capability.

Jacobs. A world where you can.

From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions – we are committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally - and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed. With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we have gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You will uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities to do good too – from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you will discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Start your Jacobs career with a company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed – today and into tomorrow.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.