Job Description

The Opportunity

At EY, we call our human resources group the Talent Team, reflecting the critical role our people play in enabling business performance and long-term growth. Working with the Talent Team, you will help shape and execute the people strategy for the Consulting Service Line, ensuring that our talent priorities, programs and advisory support are closely aligned with business objectives.

As an Assistant Director – Lead Talent Consultant, you will act as a strategic HR Business Partner and trusted advisor to Consulting leadership. You will lead people initiatives that enable workforce planning, talent development, leadership effectiveness, succession readiness, performance management, employee engagement and organizational change across a dynamic and fast-paced Consulting environment.

Your Key Responsibilities

Strategic Talent Advisory & Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted Talent Advisor to Consulting Service Line leadership, providing strategic guidance on workforce, organizational and people-related priorities.
• Translate business priorities into actionable talent strategies that support growth, profitability, client delivery and people experience.
• Build strong relationships with Partners, Executive Directors, Directors and senior business stakeholders to proactively identify talent risks, capability gaps and workforce opportunities.
• Provide commercially sound and pragmatic HR advice while balancing confidentiality, sensitivity and policy alignment.

Workforce Planning, Capability & Talent Pipeline

• Lead workforce planning discussions with Consulting leadership to assess current and future capability requirements, capacity needs and talent gaps.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition teams to support proactive hiring plans, market insights and robust talent pipelines for critical Consulting roles.
• Use talent data, business insights and workforce trends to inform decision-making and support leadership planning.
• Identify critical skill requirements and partner with stakeholders to strengthen workforce readiness, mobility and retention of key talent.

Talent Management & Leadership Development

• Lead talent management processes across the Consulting Service Line, including talent reviews, succession planning, high-potential identification and development planning.
• Partner with leaders to strengthen leadership capability, career development and coaching across multiple levels.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives and support action planning to improve employee experience and business outcomes.
• Advise on retention strategies for key talent and support targeted interventions where talent risks are identified.

Performance, Culture & Employee Relations

• Provide strategic guidance on performance management, leadership coaching, employee relations and complex people matters.
• Support a high-performance culture by advising leaders on performance differentiation, feedback, accountability and development outcomes.
• Partner with relevant Talent teams to ensure consistent application of policies, processes and employment practices.
• Promote a culture of trust, inclusion, collaboration and continuous development across the Consulting business.

Change Management & Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead the people agenda for Consulting transformation initiatives, organizational changes and business growth priorities.
• Support leaders in designing and implementing change management plans that enable adoption, engagement and sustainable outcomes.
• Partner with business and Talent stakeholders to improve operating effectiveness, team structures and leadership alignment.
• Stay informed on HR best practices, business trends and market developments to ensure EY remains a competitive and future-focused employer.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Champion EY’s diversity, equity and inclusion priorities within the Consulting Service Line.
• Partner with leaders to embed inclusive practices across talent decisions, career development and leadership behaviors.
• Use data and insights to identify opportunities to strengthen representation, belonging and equitable employee experiences.

Skills and Attributes for Success

• Strong executive presence and the ability to influence, challenge and advise senior stakeholders with confidence.
• Commercial and pragmatic mindset, with the ability to balance business priorities, people considerations and risk awareness.
• Strong understanding of HR business partnering, talent management, workforce planning, performance management and employee relations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage confidently across all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret workforce data, identify trends and convert insights into practical recommendations.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities and operate effectively in a complex, matrixed and fast-paced environment.
• High degree of discretion, professionalism and sound judgment when handling sensitive business and employee matters.

To Qualify for the Role, You Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Organizational Development or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including strong experience as an HR Business Partner, Talent Consultant or equivalent role.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders within consulting, professional services, multinational or matrix organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in workforce planning, talent management, succession planning, leadership development and organizational effectiveness.
• Strong understanding of HR principles, employment practices and employee relations frameworks.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive people initiatives aligned with business priorities.
• Strong project and time management skills, with the ability to flex across strategic priorities and operational needs.

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology or related discipline.
• Professional HR qualification or certification such as CIPD, SHRM, HRCI or equivalent; or willingness to pursue a relevant qualification.
• Experience supporting Consulting or client-serving businesses in a regional or multi-country environment.
• Exposure to talent analytics, workforce planning tools and data-led talent advisory.
• Experience leading change management initiatives or supporting business transformation programs.

What We Look For

We are looking for a credible and commercially focused Talent leader who can operate as a trusted advisor to the Consulting business. You will bring strategic thinking, strong execution discipline and the ability to influence senior leaders through clear insights, sound judgment and practical people solutions.

You will be comfortable supporting multiple business priorities, navigating complexity, and partnering across Talent sub-functions to deliver a consistent and high-quality people experience. A strong HR background, stakeholder credibility, data-driven mindset and experience in talent development, performance management and workforce planning will be key to success in this role.

What We Offer

At EY, we will develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. We will empower you in a flexible environment and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.

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EY | Building a Better Working World

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fuelled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.