2027 Industrial Placement - Consulting (Business Design & Transformation) - Bristol

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

Why consider joining us in Business Design & Transformation?

Business design & transformation is critical for organisations to adapt in ever-changing market landscapes. Joining our Business & Design Transformation stream will give you an understanding of how large-scale schemes are delivered, how change is managed, how operating models are formed and other key issues faced by our clients.

As well as being part of PA’s global Business Transformation community, you’ll also be part of our growing Bristol-based team, playing an active role in developing our business and connecting with partners and clients in the region.

When you join as a placement student, you’ll work on big things from day one. You’ll gain the knowledge and experience you need to build a successful career in consulting and contribute meaningfully to vital projects.

No two days are the same. You could be researching our latest project and delivering your findings, visiting a client with a consulting team and representing the firm, or furthering your development through crucial learning — guided and mentored by one of our experts.

What you can expect

• Main duties
• Support delivery of client workstreams by gathering requirements, carrying out research, analysing information, and helping shape practical recommendations.
• Work directly with clients and project teams, including attending meetings/workshops, capturing actions and decisions, and producing clear outputs.
• Contribute to bids and business development activities (e.g., drafting content, creating supporting analysis, and helping prepare pitch materials).
• Support internal projects and community initiatives (e.g., thought leadership, engagement activities, and improving ways of working).
• Create high-quality PowerPoint presentations for client and internal audiences, translating complex ideas into clear storylines and visuals.
• Use Excel to structure and analyse data (e.g., cleaning, summarising, building simple models), and present insights with confidence.
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines, proactively managing tasks, deadlines, and quality expectations.
• When you join as placement student, you will gain the knowledge and experience you need to build a successful career in consulting and contribute meaningfully to vital projects.
• You’ll be coached and guided by experts and have countless opportunities to broaden your experience on challenging projects and programmes.
• Apply your problem-solving skills across multiple teams to support client projects and internal initiatives, using leading tools, methodologies, and consulting techniques.
• Share ideas and drive progress while developing your skills and supporting our clients.
• You will also have the opportunity to get involved on a breadth of internal activities at PA, for example, developing community and engagement initiatives, writing thought leadership, or working on business development activities.
• Whatever you work on, you’ll be part of the team and free to build your networks, both here at PA and far beyond.
• Hybrid working with the team on client site or in our office a minimum of two days per week. However, the actual time you spend and where you spend it will vary by role or assignment, which could include up to 5 days per week on a client site.
• An environment that deeply cares about its values - Values | PA Consulting
• Assessment process

First Stage Assessments

Application form

Online Assessments

Shortlisting

Final Stage Assessments

Assessment Centre

Final Stage Interviews

• Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [email protected]
• This role is open to undergraduates with an industrial placement within their course structure and therefore graduating in 2029.
• Qualification: Undergraduate degree — on track to gain a degree. We welcome applicants from all disciplines and have no specific grade or subject requirements for this role.
• Growth-oriented and curious — open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world.
• Collaborative and relationship-focused — thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed.
• Credible and communicative — comfortable in high-performance environments, with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Analytical and adaptable — demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to adapt your style and approach.
• Professional and reliable — show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct

The Offer

The opportunity to work on meaningful projects with talented people

Support, training and coaching to give you the best experience in entering and exceeding in the working world and in-continuation of your studies

Complete the year successfully, and you can expect to be fast-tracked through the graduate recruitment process when you finish your studies.

If you are offered a graduate role following your placement with us you will join our 18-month Graduate Rotational Programme. In this programme you’ll have the opportunity to rotate through three of our capability teams, gaining diverse skills and experiences that will serve as the foundation for your consulting career.

We work flexibly at PA, but your work base will be our Bristol office

This role will start in July 2027 and be for 12 months. We will confirm exact date at offer stage.

Salary - £26,230 per annum

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work.

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self.

Find out more about Life at PA here.

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits:

Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare

25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days

Generous company pension scheme

Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives

Annual performance-based bonus

Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

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