Job Description

Job role description
As one of our most experienced practitioners, a Principal is a leader in the Studio team, their project teams and the wider business. Success in this role comes from using your skills, experience and relationships to create value for clients and the business.


Role responsibilities
As with every role in the Studio team, you should manage your time to prioritise billable work first, then pre-sales activity, then internal initiatives.


1. Shape, oversee and deliver quality project work
Take responsibility for ensuring that the work we do creates a positive measurable impact for our clients and Foolproof.


Work with your colleagues to identify and secure the right team, with the right mix of people and skills to deliver quality work for each client engagement. Provide direction to your project teams and create clarity where there is none. Create an environment in which people can do their best work. Organise and motivate others to achieve the team's goals. Create and maintain momentum in teams, even in the face of uncertainty. Facilitate decision making to keep the team progressing. Challenge the client's and the team's thinking to ensure that we are solving the right problem and solving it in the right way. Oversee the quality of communications and deliverables to ensure they are appropriate and effective. When appropriate, lead on activities to ensure the highest quality of work. Ensure that we are measuring the effectiveness of our work and it is having a positive impact on the client's business.

2. Become a trusted advisor to clients
As one of the most knowledgeable members of our Studio team, a Principal is sought-after by clients for their expertise and advice.


Build relationships with clients and become a trusted advisor to them. Develop a deep understanding of their business objectives, challenges and future ambitions. Identify opportunities using knowledge of the client's business and industry to spot where they need to focus their attention to deliver great customer experiences and improved business performance. Use this access and knowledge to influence decision-making and spot opportunities for Foolproof to expand their presence within the client's organisation.
3. Define the best response to client briefs
Work with the New Business, Client Engagement and Delivery teams to help to define the best approach to client briefs, assist in scoping work and participate in pitch teams.


Use your knowledge of experience design, the client's business and their industry to reframe briefs and create a compelling point-of-view that persuades them to work with us. Design project approaches that meet the client and Foolproof's needs.
4. Help to build our practices and capabilities
Share your work and be a key contributor to our Studio practices, working to grow our team's skills and capabilities.


Share your work with others in forums such as the team meeting, Studio meeting, the #showcase Slack channel and smart lunches. Use your knowledge and expertise to improve the way that we work.
5. Manage and develop our people
You may not always have line management responsibilities, but all Principals are expected to contribute to the upskilling of others they work with.


Coach and mentor other members of the team that you work with. Provide (and be willing to receive) open and honest feedback. If line managing, facilitate learning, manage performance and ensure those they line manage are motivated and engaged. Help to create effective line managers and coaches within the Studio team.
6. Develop your own skills
Take responsibility for your skills development and career progression.


Work with your line manager to create a personal development plan, outlining what you want to learn and how you plan to learn it. Find and create opportunities to develop your skills within and outside of projects. Establish coaching and mentoring relationships with others in the team.
7. Help to grow our reputation
Create long-term value for Foolproof through our external marketing activities (our Authoritative Voice programme).


Work with the New Business and Marketing teams to identify and create content that is aligned with client interests. Speak at events and conferences as appropriate.



Measures of success
Your colleagues and clients provide positive feedback about the quality of your work, your working relationship with them and the impact you create on the work that you do. You are able to demonstrate that the work delivered for your clients has a measurable positive impact on your clients' business performance or goals. You can demonstrate how you have grown client relationships, either in influence or the amount of revenue we enjoy from these accounts. You can demonstrate that the projects you were responsible for scoping have delivered profit or created further project opportunities or relationships within the client organisation. You can point to at least one example per quarter when you have shared your work with others in forums such as the team meeting, Studio meeting, the #showcase Slack channel and smart lunches. You can demonstrate that you have contributed to successful innovations in our products, practices or processes. Those you line manage have clear objectives and a personal development plan that you review together regularly. They are high performing members of the team and are meeting their objectives. You can point to areas in which those you line manage or coach have improved due to your guidance and facilitation of skills development. Those you line manage or coach provide positive qualitative feedback about their relationship with you. * You can point to examples of how you have contributed to our external marketing programme throughout the year.