Job Description

Company Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

Job Description

Why considering joining us?

Joining us as a placement student is a big step. Whether you’re coming from a specialist background or from an unrelated subject, we want you to be bold, stay curious and dive into the opportunities we have to offer. 

When you join our team as an industrial placement student, you’ll work on big things from day one. You’ll gain the knowledge and experience you need to build a successful career in consulting and contribute meaningfully to vital projects.  

What you can expect

• As cyber threats become more high profile and people become more aware of data privacy, organisations have an opportunity to differentiate themselves with outstanding digital trust and cyber security.
• You will help our clients build trust with customers by showing systems are secure, protect data from cyber-attacks and comply with regulations. 
• You will work alongside our cyber security experts to spot digital and technology security risks and help identify the right controls to develop systems, processes, and culture to keep data safe.  
• You will help our clients build the resilience they need to get back to business with minimum financial and reputational loss when a cyber-attack does succeed. 

Take our look at our recent tech blog from Michael who talks about his time as a placement student - Building a digital and data career: My placement year… | PA Consulting

Assessment process

First Stage Assessments:

• Application form
• Online Assessments
• Shortlisting and/or Technical Assessments

Final Stage Assessments:

• Assessment Centre with Technical Assessments
• Final Stage Interviews

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on earlycareers@paconsulting.com

Qualifications

Essential requirements  

This role is open to undergraduates with an industrial placement within their course structure and therefore graduating in 2029.

• Qualification: Undergraduate degree — in Computer Science, Cyber Security or IT is preferred but we welcome applications from all degree disciplines  
• Cyber Security knowledge - you will have a passion for cyber security and a good grasp of the latest trends within the industry as well as experience with information or cyber security (at business or technical levels) 
• Growth-oriented and curious — open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world. 
• Collaborative and relationship-focused — thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed. 
• Credible and communicative — comfortable in high-performance environments, with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. 
• Analytical and adaptable — demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to adapt your style and approach. 
• Professional and reliable — show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct. 
• Coding experience – some experience or understanding of coding is welcome. Experience programming in Python and knowledge of SQL is a plus 
• Understanding data - experience processing and gaining insights from data would be beneficial for the role  

The Offer  

• You will work to ensure our clients stay informed about threats and are able to protect their digital assets and business systems 
• Opportunity to work across all areas of the information security spectrum, from developing cyber security strategy to implementation of risk reducing security controls and technologies  
• You will be exposed to a variety of experiences which will build an outstanding career  
• We work flexibly at PA, but your work base will be our London Victoria Office
• This role will start in July 2027 and be for 12 months. We will confirm exact date at offers stage
• Salary: £28,860 per annum

A career at PA is what you make of it — so power your curiosity and prepare to make an impact.

Additional Information

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work.

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self.

Find out more about Life at PA here.

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits:

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
• Generous company pension scheme
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives
• Annual performance-based bonus
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

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