Data & Digital Advisory - Senior Consultant

Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network providing audit & assurance, tax, and advisory services. Forvis Mazars in the UK spans 14 offices across the nation and has over 3,400 professionals, with 190 partners. We have a clear purpose and a shared commitment to shape a better future.

You'll join a collaborative and inclusive team where you're supported to grow your skills, explore new opportunities, and contribute from day one. You'll work with a diverse client base, develop meaningful connections, and gain experience that extends beyond your local team. Together, we grow, belong and impact.

The Data & Digital Advisory team is a key part of our larger Technology and Digital Consulting practice comprising over 100 technologists. We specialise in providing expert advice and guidance across a range of domain areas, with a primary focus on data protection, data governance, Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy and governance, technology strategy and transaction IT due diligence.

We collaborate closely with clients to understand their unique data and digital opportunities and challenges, delivering tailored, actionable advice. Our support encompasses assessing, building, and managing data and digital capabilities. This includes identifying and mitigating data, AI, and IT risks; selecting vendors to maximise solution value; managing projects for tangible results; establishing robust data governance; ensuring regulatory compliance (including data privacy and AI regulations); and harnessing the potential of emerging technologies like AI.

Joining as a Senior Consultant within the Data & Digital Advisory team, you will play a crucial role in delivering a diverse portfolio of services to our clients, contributing significantly to both project execution and our team's growth. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain broad experience across interconnected data and digital domains.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Engagement Delivery: Actively participate in client-facing engagements, contributing to the delivery of high-quality work products and deliverables across our service portfolio.
• Analysis & Recommendations: Support the analysis of client environments and challenges, developing insightful recommendations aligned with their strategic objectives, communicated clearly and concisely.
• Stakeholder Management: Effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including client personnel (from operational to senior levels) and internal colleagues across Forvis Mazars.
• Domain Expertise Application: Demonstrate and apply a solid understanding across our advisory domains, particularly Data Protection & Data Governance. An understanding and experience in working with AI Regulation and in AI Governance. Foundational knowledge of digital domains such as Enterprise Architecture, Cloud, Technology Due Diligence, and how these translate into relevant, industry-leading practices and integrated solutions.
• Reporting & Communication: Assist in coordinating engagement findings, producing well-structured written reports, and supporting the delivery of compelling presentations to senior stakeholders.
• Adaptable Delivery: Flex delivery style appropriately between strategic advisory engagements and risk-focused assurance projects delivered via internal audit channels.
• Innovation & Market Awareness: Contribute to identifying and understanding emerging technology trends, particularly in data and AI, and support the integration of innovative approaches into our service offerings.

Engagements You Can Expect to Work On:

• Data Privacy Program and Framework Development (GDPR etc.)
• Data Protection Maturity and Compliance Assessments
• Data Protection Officer (DPO) Support Services
• Regulatory Readiness & Audits (e.g., DSA, DMA, EU AI Act)
• Data Management, Strategy and Governance Framework Implementation
• AI Strategy Development and Readiness Assessments
• AI Governance Framework Implementation and Ethical AI Reviews

Engagements You May Support On:

• Technology and Application Strategy Development
• IT and Cloud Effectiveness Assessments
• IT Resilience (BCM and IT DR) Assessments
• Technology Business Case Creation
• Vendor and Product Selection Support
• Technology Transformation Project Management Support
• IT Due Diligence (Buy-side and Sell-side)

We seek a high-performing, motivated individual with a genuine passion for the intersection of data and digital transformation. You should possess strong analytical skills, the ability to ask insightful questions, understand complex client challenges, and provide tailored, impactful recommendations.

This role offers a unique opportunity to gain broad exposure across our four service pillars (Data Privacy, Data Optimisation, AI Advisory, and Digital Advisory), fostering significant professional development. The ideal candidate is keen to contribute to developing our thought leadership, methodologies, and service offerings, collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams. We provide comprehensive support through coaching, on-the-job training, and assistance in attaining valuable industry certifications to accelerate your career.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Essential Experience: Minimum 2 years' experience in a Professional Services firm or comparable environment, delivering advisory services related to data privacy and data governance. Experience in AI Strategy and Governance is desirable.
• Data Expertise:
  • Strong understanding of core data privacy principles and key regulations (especially EU and UK GDPR, familiarity with others like CCPA, LGPD and PDPL beneficial).
  • Good grasp of data governance frameworks and data lifecycle management.
  • Demonstrable interest and foundational knowledge of AI/Machine Learning concepts, AI governance principles, and ethical AI considerations. Awareness of emerging AI regulations.
• Consulting Skills:
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Proven relationship management skills.
  • Capable of managing multiple tasks and working effectively on concurrent engagements.
  • High attention to detail and excellent organisational/time management skills.
• Personal Attributes:
  • Proactive approach to self-development and continuous learning.
  • Collaborative team player with high emotional intelligence.
  • Adaptable to blended working environments (in-person, remote) and willing to travel for client needs.
  • Strong alignment with our firm's values: respect, diversity, and integrity.
• Advantageous Certifications: Possession of or working towards relevant industry certifications is highly desirable. Examples include: CDMP, ADGP, CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT, AIGP, ISO 27701 Lead Auditor/Implementer, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer, PRINCE2 Foundation, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), CRISC, ITIL Foundation.

Training and Progression

You will develop deep expertise in Data & Digital Advisory domains and enhance your business acumen through direct client work. The experience gained provides a comprehensive understanding of how diverse businesses operate and manage their data and digital landscapes. As part of a dynamic and growing team, you will have significant opportunities for career progression, supported by dedicated mentoring and performance management to keep your aspirations on track.

At Forvis Mazars diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our values. We value our people's unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experience, and know this diversity create better outcomes for our clients.

We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent, inclusive of sex, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, and faith.

We select candidates based on skills, knowledge, qualifications, and experience and aim to support all our team members to reach their potential.

At Forvis Mazars, we promote an environment in which you can grow your skills, belong to a team that values your ideas, and make an impact that matters.