Managing Director Wave Works (Contract & SOW)

About Wave

Wave Group has three service lines: Wave Talent, permanent recruitment, WaveMind, technology services, and WaveWorks - Contract and SOW Consulting solutions. Managing Director of WaveWorks is a pivotal position for our group as we grow globally and move towards an event in the next 5 years. Opportunities at this level are rear within the recruitment and consulting sector.

WaveWorks is the consulting and contract delivery arm of Wave Group, partnering with global enterprises and high-growth scale-ups on large-scale transformation programmes. We compete directly with the major consultancies, but operate with the speed, commercial flexibility, and people-first ethos of a specialist firm.

We're scaling a permanent consulting bench to deliver fixed-price, milestone-based engagements across change & transformation, data, AI, and infrastructure. With multi-million pound contracts now signed and a strong pipeline across financial services, energy, public sector, and tech, we're hiring the leader who will own the next phase of growth.

The Opportunity

This is a P&L-owning leadership role with full commercial accountability for WaveWorks, Wave Group's Contract and SOW business. You'll lead a delivery and BD team running at strong weekly GP, with a clear mandate to scale the consulting bench, win and deliver multi-million pound engagements, and build the operational infrastructure to support growth across the UK, US, and global delivery hubs.

You'll work directly with the CEO and Wave SLT, and partner with our in-house technology team, delivery leads, and client-facing consultants to deliver against milestone-based engagements.

The commercial model is proven, with healthy revenue per head, strong GP margins, and multi-year contract values that scale with bench growth. Near-term targets include 80–100% GP growth within the next 1–2 months as new consulting contracts onboard, with a clear path to doubling the consulting bench over the next 12 months.

Why join Wave Works?

Real consulting work, not staff aug. Multi-year, multi-million pound, milestone-based engagements competing directly with the major consultancies.

• Commercial control. In-house tech team, controlled contractor margins, competitive rate cards, and global delivery capability across near shore locations in Europe and LTAM to high value locations globally.

• Inflection point. Significant GP growth expected as new consulting contracts onboard. You'll lead at the moment WaveWorks moves from emerging player to established consulting brand.

• Group leverage. Backed by Wave's multi-brand platform (WaveTalent, WaveWorks, WaveLabs and operational technology "mothership") with cross-brand BD, marketing, and operational support

• Competitive package: Performance-linked bonus tied to WaveWorks P&L, plus share scheme participation.

• Progression: Clear pathway to broader group leadership as Wave scales.

• Leadership programmes for first-time managers and experienced team leads.

• Personalised training and development from day one, including mentorship and advanced L&D resources.

• Enjoy the freedom to work from home or in our London office (up to 3 days a week).

• Regular social events, incentive trips, and company holidays - past destinations include Cancun, Las Vegas, Mykonos, and Dubai.

Core Performance Metrics:

• P&L and commercial strategy: Full ownership of WaveWorks Contract & SOW P&L. Set and deliver against revenue, GP, and EBIT targets. Drive pricing strategy, margin control, and commercial governance across all engagements.

• Client acquisition and BD: Win new SOW and consulting engagements at director and C-suite level. Build and convert a pipeline of large-scale transformation programmes. Maintain and expand strategic accounts.

• Delivery oversight: Own delivery quality across fixed-price, milestone-based engagements. Manage risk/reward exposure on transformation programmes. Ensure deliverables, timelines, and margin are protected.

• Bench and team build: Scale the permanent consulting bench through targeted senior hires onto direct PAYE. Hire BD-led recruiters and delivery leads. Build out a transformation director layer.

• Operating model: Optimise existing commercial model to support your P&L and earnings 

• Leadership and culture: Lead, mentor, and develop the WaveWorks team. Set performance standards, succession plans, and progression pathways aligned to Wave's framework.

• SLT contribution: Represent WaveWorks at Wave SLT and board level. Contribute to group strategy, cross-brand initiatives, and multi-entity operations across UK, US, and UAE.
  
  

What We Look For?

This role is suited for a recruitment and/or consulting leader within experience in building and delivering time and materials contractor's and SOW projects. We are considernig current Managing Directors, or a Director/Senior Director who is ready to step into an MD role. 

• Experience: 10+ years in contract recruitment, SOW delivery, or consulting services, with significant time at Director level or above.

• P&L Ownership: Proven track record of scaling a contract or consulting business unit through multi-million pound revenue milestones.

• SOW & Fixed-Price Delivery: Demonstrable experience winning and delivering SOW and fixed-price engagements in competitive markets, ideally against tier-one consultancies.

• Commercial Fluency: Comfortable owning GP, EBIT, margin, day rate, and revenue-per-head conversations at board level.

• Bench Building: Experience building and leading consulting benches or permanent delivery teams, not just contract desks.

• Senior Network: Client network at C-suite and transformation director level across either public and private sector - or both

• Global Delivery & Frameworks: Experience with global delivery models (nearshore/offshore) and public sector frameworks (DOS, G-Cloud) advantageous.

• Multi-Entity Exposure: Confident operating in a multi-brand, multi-entity environment with cross-border (UK/US/UAE) commercial exposure.
  
  

Other Benefits:

Equity given based on basic salary and team/personal performance

• After probation, enrolment on our Private Healthcare Plan for comprehensive healthcare, including physiotherapy sessions, mental wellness support and cash-back options for optical and dental appointments.

• After probation, £25/month on our wellbeing platform.

• 25+ days of holiday to recharge + 1 extra day for every year of service (capped at 5).

• Office closure over Christmas - because nobody wants to work during the festive period!

• Enhanced Parental Leave up to 6 weeks for long-term employees.

• Quarterly socials (e.g., Chaos Karts, escape rooms), plus an all-expenses-paid Christmas party.

• Lunch Club for high billers - enjoy top London restaurants with the founding team.

• Quarterly swag packs to keep you equipped and on-brand.
  
  

At Wave, we believe diversity fosters the innovation and collaboration needed for success. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you have specific needs or require adjustments during our recruitment process, please let us know.

Apply now by:

• Submitting your CV to this role or, 

• Reaching out to Director of Talent, Jamila Williams confidentially via LinkedIn or email: Jamila@wavetalent.co

For questions, feel free to reach out to Talent Director, Jamila Williams. Jamila@wavetalent.co

Join WaveWorks - let's redefine consulting, one engagement at a time.