Consulting Assistant Manager

Alternatively, Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

New ground won't break itself

Every day our teams help people, places and public services to make better decisions and deliver better outcomes. We work at the heart of major transport and infrastructure programmes that shape communities across the UK.

We’re committed to supporting flexible working—including reduced hours and job shares—and we’ll help you balance a meaningful career with life outside work.

A look into the role

As an Assistant Manager in our Complex Projects & Transaction Consulting Team team—specialising in local transport, buses and public sector-led infrastructure—you will play a pivotal role in supporting the future of UK mobility.

You will:

• Deliver work that directly shapes the future of public transport in the UK
• Contribute to major end-to-end client programmes in transport, local mobility and public infrastructure.
• Play an active role in bus reform, franchising assessments, decarbonisation and Net Zero projects.
• Lead discreet project workstreams, ensuring delivery to quality, time and commercial targets.
• Produce high‑quality analysis and reports that help local authorities, operators and central government make informed decisions.

Work across a diverse portfolio of impactful projects

You’ll support clients across:

• Bus & Local Transport (Local authorities, operators, investors and national governments)
• Rail (local rail strategies, service enhancements)
• Net Zero & Decarbonisation (ZE bus fleet transitions, funding & financing, infrastructure planning)
• Social Infrastructure & Government Advisory (business cases, strategic reviews, options appraisal)

Our teams support clients with:

• Strategy & policy development
• Five‑case business cases (Green Book)
• Programme and project delivery
• Financial and commercial advisory

Knowing you’re right for us

We’re looking for people who are motivated by improving public transport and making UK infrastructure work better for communities.

You’ll thrive with us if:

• You are passionate about public transport, local mobility or bus/rail operations.
• You can think critically, analyse complex information and communicate clearly.
• You enjoy collaborative working and want exposure to a wide variety of transport challenges.

Minimum criteria

We’re open to applicants with equivalent analytical or advisory experience within:

• Transport operators
• Local or regional transport authorities
• Public sector consultancy
• Infrastructure advisory

Experience that would help you stand out

(But don’t worry if you don’t have everything—development is part of our culture.)

• Experience in UK transport, particularly bus, local transport, local authority policy or operator environments.
• Understanding of the UK public sector, including local authority funding and decision-making.
• Experience contributing to or drafting business cases, funding bids, strategic reviews or transport analyses.
• Early exposure to project or programme management, ideally with a relevant qualification (APM, Prince2, Agile etc.)

Knowing we’re right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone.  Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

Beyond the job

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our CLEARR values – Collaboration, Leadership, Excellence, Agility, Respect and Responsibility.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should