PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria has been operating in Nigeria since 1953 through its predecessor firms of Coopers & Lybrand and Price Waterhouse. We're one of the leading professional services firms in the country with offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, over 1000 staff and 31 resident partners.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Senior Associate - Operations
Job ID: 543048WD Location: Lagos
Line of Service: Advisory
Specialism: Operations
Management Level: Senior Manager
Job Description & Summary
We are looking for a Senior Associate to manage complex engagements that help our clients realize competitive advantage from their operations. Specific areas of focus include Operations optimisation, Operating model design, Process analysis and design, Supply chain optimisation, Cost management, Financial Analysis, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategy development & Project/Programme Management.
The powerhouse of the team – integral to the project, taking a “get it right first time” approach to research, analysis and output.
The Consultant’s key role revolves around ensuring sound data collection, analysis, interviewing, presenting and supporting the manager in basic project management tasks.
Consultants also apply these skills and drive outside the project environment to support and develop our practice.
The Senior Associate must be able to develop relationships within and outside the firm that aid successful delivery of assignments.
Responsibilities
Business & Industry analysis:
Keeps abreast of industry issues (e.g. regulation, drivers, threats etc.), understands their relevance to assigned projects and forms an opinion on target/client business.
Forms an opinion/point of view and articulates client’s issues/current state from available documentation e.g. strategy document, business plan, procedures manuals, organograms etc.
Data gathering and handling:
Able to scope and execute primary research using all relevant research providers
Aware of key sources of data – where to find it, how to access it etc. – and able to identify/find new sources of data specific to a given project (incl. market sources and previous projects)
Aware of alternative methods for data gathering e.g. interviewing to
verify/supplement published market research
Aware of all internal and external data sources and their limitations
Able to synthesize key messages and trends and their implications for the client from large volumes of data (client/external)
Sense-checks and validates research and work output with other data sources
Presents data accurately and completely – “Right first time” approach
Demonstrates ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses
Communicates effectively with team members – e.g. changes to hypotheses, data problems, new issues, timing
Financial analysis:
Understands drivers of revenues and profitability
Understands key ratios – e.g. profitability margins
Able to perform basic analysis of financial statements, business plans etc. to
understand key organisational drivers, trends, plans etc.
Excel skills:
Can set up clear, easy to follow and fully sourced spreadsheets
Data manipulation using simple formulae and techniques – e.g. vlookups, pivot tables
Able to construct basic models
Process Analysis & Design skills:
Able to perform critical analysis of processes to identify gaps, redundancies,
automation requirements and other improvement opportunities
Able to map processes using basic process mapping tools e.g. Ms. Visio
Able to document Standard Operating Procedures for key business areas highlighting KPIs, process inputs/outputs, key risks and mitigating controls
Able to identify opportunities for process optimisation
Strongly contributes to Client Team Meetings having the ability to present sections of findings internally
Supports senior staff at meetings by having grasp of all data and findings – and framing opinions accordingly
Reporting:
Prepares concise, well written documents using appropriate business and technical language
Uses clear simple slides – using appropriate graphics
Understands the operations consulting environment and roles of various parties within it
Displays effective time management, prioritizes issues appropriately and meets agreed timelines
Appreciates the importance and principles of risk management and supports manager with basic risk management tasks (e.g. client and engagement acceptance procedures, draft engagement letter preparation etc.)
Business and team development:
Exhibits professional conduct at client meetings and on client location – e.g. appropriate language, dressing, interactions, etiquette
Assists in proposal preparation & research, making an active effort to spend available time on Business Development activities
Builds an internal network of contacts, e.g. business and community, cross-functional, cross-LoS and communicates relationships to appropriate partners or leaders
Understands and can communicate broad range of services provided by PwC and begins to identify needs client may not recognize
Communicates the importance of knowledge of roles and responsibilities and standards to team members
Demonstrates importance of quality by reviewing work products of others and making necessary modifications
Contributes to industry teams – e.g. presentations on past projects, sector research, keeps up to date with sector news, knowledge management etc.
Contributes to wider team – e.g. Induction, buddying, peer group & social activities
Other:
Proactively defines and discusses development objectives on- and off-projects
Demonstrates ability to work across various sectors
Asks for upward and downward feedback in a timely manner, takes feedback on-board positively and takes action to address areas for growth and improvement
Provides constructive and honest upward (and where appropriate, downward)
feedback in a timely manner
Understands risk management procedures and implements them in day to day work.
Able to create drafts/handle key risk management procedures (e.g. engagement letters).
Assists manager in filing & ordering documentation/work papers (both hard copy and electronic) during projects and takes responsibility/active role in project close-down and archiving process
Keeps up to date with current business events and issues – e.g. economic trends, sector news
Basic understanding of Operations service offerings and how they fit into the wider firm’s offering
Requirements
Education:
First Degree in relevant field
MBA/MSc (with business/accounting/finance/operations orientation) is desirable
ACCA or other accredited accounting qualification is desirable
PMP or other project management certification is desirable
Lean/Six-Sigma/ISO or other business process/quality-related certification is desirable
Job Experience:
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Operations consulting in a professional services environment or 1 year relevant experience in a large/global organization
Experience outside market of operation will be an added advantage
Experience in building and maintaining strong relations with senior level clients and key industry contacts
Demonstrated experience in any of the following knowledge areas: