Allocations Manager

Overview

The Allocations Manager will be responsible for staffing projects and client development work in Australia using internal and external (sub-contracted) staff. The position can be based in L.E.K. Consulting's Sydney or Melbourne office, and reports to the Chief Talent Officer.

 Responsibilities

The Allocations Manager is responsible for matching case (and client development) requirements with the pool of available staff to optimise the delivery capability and likely financial performance of projects while ensuring that the firm manages the pace of activity and supports staff to build the experience base and skills required to achieve their career development goals.

 The Allocations Manager role is a critical partner of the Career Development team and the Finance team.

 Specific responsibilities:

• Allocate consulting staff to case work taking into account:
  • Case skills and headcount requirements
  • Availability of staff
  • Staff capabilities, previous mix of experience & roles performed and  competence (as determined through the review process)
  • Expected working hours
  • Recovery objectives (project profitability)
• Allocate consulting staff to internal work such as client development, CKC or recruitment to ensure staff are productively employed when not on casework
• Develop and manage a pool of external sub-contracted staff
  • Source external staff through the L.E.K.’s alumni network and agencies
  • Lead the on-boarding process of external staff
  • Maintain a record of the use of external staff:
    • Contractual agreement
    • Nature of work done
    • Quality of the work
    • Daily rate
  • Manage the relationship with Alumni and external agencies
• Advise the Partners on the forward availability of staff
• Work with Partners to set and enforce allocation policy and guidelines, including  
  • Overtime guidelines, distribution and timely use of TOIL days
  • Consulting staff vacation approvals
• Actively manage internal stakeholder relationships
  • With Partners to ensure they understand and agree / accept allocation decisions
  • With staff to ensure they perceive that the firm is supporting their personal / career development goals
  • With colleagues in the region to ensure the regional pool of staff is deployed to balance the load across the network of offices
  • With Career Development to ensure staffing is consistent with a balanced workload and supports career development plans
• Ensure that allocation system data is kept up to date

 Requirements:

The ideal candidate has five to seven years of work experience including experience in a similar position within a professional services or consulting environnment.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills
• Creative thinking and problem solving skills
• Professional maturity and gravitas needed to gain credibility and handle conflict resolution
• Maturity to maintain poise under pressure, advise senior executives and manage competing priorities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• A strong understanding of a professional services culture and organisation
• Familiarity with IT systems and data management

Education

Undergraduate degree as a minimum