Principal | Digital Advisory Leader The Advisory practice at Buro Happold brings together deep technical expertise, strategic insight, and innovative thinking to help clients solve complex challenges across the built environment. Our capabilities span sustainability and energy transition, asset optimization and commercial advisory, urban development, strategy and operating models, and digital advisory.
As part of our continued growth in the US, we are expanding our Digital Advisory capability to support clients in navigating digital transformation, smart places, data-driven decision-making, and technology-enabled operational excellence. Building on the success of our established Digital Advisory practices in the UK and Middle East, this role will play a critical part in shaping and scaling our US offering while contributing to Buro Happold's global strategy in building a market-facing consulting platform, originating executive-level opportunities, growing strategic accounts, and contributing directly to Buro Happold's commercial and strategic growth in the US and globally.
Your next role We are looking for an exceptional Digital Advisory Leader to establish, lead, and grow our US Digital Advisory practice. This is a unique opportunity to build a market-leading advisory capability that helps clients unlock value through digital strategy, transformation, systems, solutions, data, and analytics across asset-intensive industries and the built environment. The successful candidate will combine the commercial instincts of a consulting leader with the technical fluency to translate digital, data, technology, and operating model change into measurable client value.
As a Principal, you will work closely with regional and global leadership teams to shape the future of Digital Advisory in the US while leveraging Buro Happold's established expertise across international markets. You will be responsible for originating and converting high-value opportunities, shaping C-suite client agendas, growing strategic accounts, building a sustainable digital advisory team, and delivering strong revenue, margin, and client impact while serving as a key member of the US Advisory Senior Leadership Team.
The successful candidate will:
- Establish and lead the US Digital Advisory practice aligned with clear accountability for market positioning, pipeline growth, revenue, margin, and client impact
- Originate and convert high-value advisory opportunities with executive clients across priority sectors and strategic accounts
- Collaborate with global Digital Advisory teams to tailor and expand offerings for the US market
- Drive market awareness, business development, and pipeline growth across Digital Advisory services
- Develop a portfolio of strategic client relationships, creating long-term account growth and cross-practice opportunities for Buro Happold
- Lead complex, multidisciplinary advisory engagements that deliver measurable commercial, operational, and strategic outcomes for clients
- Build, attract, and develop a high-performing consulting team, including future leaders and specialist capabilities
- Support the development, engagement, and well-being of team members through strong leadership and mentorship
- Create market-facing thought leadership, propositions, methods, and intellectual property that differentiate Buro Happold in the US market
- Contribute to the strategic direction, growth, and success of the broader US Advisory practice
Your key duties - Lead and shape the US Digital Advisory practice, driving business growth, strategic partnerships, and market positioning
- Own and grow a portfolio of strategic client relationships, with clear accountability for pipeline creation, sales conversion, revenue growth, margin performance, and long-term account development
- Lead major pursuits from opportunity identification through qualification, proposition development, commercial negotiation, and successful conversion
- Develop and promote innovative service offerings that address client challenges and emerging market opportunities
- Lead large, complex, multidisciplinary advisory engagements, ensuring quality, commercial performance, delivery excellence, and measurable client outcomes
- Deliver exceptional client outcomes while ensuring strong commercial performance across engagements
- Build and maintain trusted advisor relationships with executive and senior client stakeholders
- Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities through proactive business development activities
- Lead large and complex Digital Advisory engagements, ensuring successful delivery and client satisfaction
- Drive thought leadership internally and externally, enhancing Buro Happold's reputation within the market
- Support the development of go-to-market strategies, service evolution, and business growth initiatives
- Foster a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive team culture that supports professional growth and well-being
- Set objectives, manage performance, and ensure the team has the skills and resources needed to achieve strategic goals
- Establish and manage financial budgets, performance targets, and business planning activities
- Support teams in the development and winning of high-value pursuits and proposals
- Identify opportunities for innovation and the creation of differentiated Digital Advisory solutions
- Attract, develop, and retain a high-performing consulting team, building capability, career pathways, succession, and a strong leadership bench
- Provide inspirational leadership and serve as a role model for Buro Happold's leadership values and behaviors
- Support strategic partnerships, industry engagement, sponsorships, and external relationship-building activities
- Contribute to global and regional marketing initiatives that strengthen visibility and market differentiation for Digital Advisory
Your skills and experience - Extensive experience (15+ years) in a senior leadership role within Digital Advisory, Digital Transformation, Technology Consulting, or a related field
- Significant experience delivering consulting engagements and digital transformation programs within asset-intensive organizations
- Strong knowledge of digital delivery frameworks and methodologies such as TOGAF, Agile, DevOps, ITIL, cloud technologies, and related approaches
- Previous management consulting experience, with MBB or Big Four consulting experience preferred
- Recognized subject matter expertise within Digital Advisory and a demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior clients
- Proven track record of building, leading, and growing successful consulting teams and practices
- Experience managing executive-level stakeholder relationships and influencing strategic decision-making
- Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated success in consultative selling, account management, and opportunity pursuit
- Proven ability to create, win, and deliver high-value consulting engagements
- Outstanding leadership, communication, and collaboration skills with experience working across multiple geographies and disciplines
- Experience developing client-focused consulting approaches that deliver measurable business outcomes
- Ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into innovative client solutions and service offerings
- We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every qualification.
Desirable sector experience includes:
- Commercial real estate, investors, owners, and occupiers
- Higher education, cultural institutions, and institutional clients
- Public sector, municipalities, urban environments, and smart cities
- Energy, utilities, transportation, and mobility
- Federal and government clients
- Sports, hospitality, and entertainment
- Aviation
- Science, healthcare, and industrial sectors
What we offer - Salary range of $200,000 - $336,000 This will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience
- Generous benefits package
- Annual discretionary bonus
- Generous PTO (5 weeks) in addition to 10 paid holidays
- 401(k) with company match
- Hybrid working and summer hours
- Reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees
- Connection to a global network of experts at the forefront of industry innovation
- Access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities
- Opportunities to engage with employee networks including our Young Employees Forum, Diversity and Inclusion Forum, Buro Happold Women's Network, and Employee Resource Groups
Ready for something a little less ordinary? Apply now to start your career journey with us.
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