Associate) Manager - Automotive Transformation & R&D; f​/m​/x

accilium is a management and strategy consultancy founded on the belief that nothing is built to last unless it is built to evolve. That is why we have been driving the mobility and energy transition for nearly a decade. Through transformation projects that accelerate digitalization and position organizations for the future. We rethink organizations, put technology at the center, and always keep the people in mind.

For us, change is not a matter of will, but of the ability to continuously evolve.

Together with our ventures & and accilium ventures, we operate at seven locations in Germany, Austria, Poland, and Romania and employ 110 people. According to Statista and brand eins, accilium ranks among the best management consultancies in the German-speaking world and is part of the “Hidden Champion of Consulting 2026/27”.

With us, you will help build something big – at the heart of the digital transformation. We work closely with decision-makers at C-level and design complex strategic programs from concept to implementation. We foster an open team culture, flat hierarchies, and the highest level of professionalism, always meeting on equal footing.

You will take ownership of strategic topics, lead teams, and further develop transformation initiatives along the automotive value chain, with a particular focus on R&D. Our goal is for you to establish yourself not only as a consultant but also as a thought leader within your practice area.

As an (Associate) Manager – Automotive Transformation & R&D (f/m/x), you will be part of our Automotive Practice and support one of the world’s largest automotive OEMs in delivering complex transformation programs across the automotive value chain.

Your focus will be on R&D, ranging from the transformation of engineering and product data landscapes to Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV) and related processes in production and after-sales. These programs involve typical transformation challenges: aligning target architectures across brands, domains, and stakeholders, managing conflicting priorities, replacing legacy systems while maintaining business continuity, and adapting processes, roles, and responsibilities to software-centric development models.

We make these transformations manageable through clear governance structures, robust planning, and transparent progress tracking.

• Target Vision &
  
  Roadmap:
  
  Develop target operating models and transformation roadmaps together with clients and translate them into actionable work packages.

• Program Management: Manage work streams in complex programs, maintaining oversight of scope, dependencies, risks, and progress while ensuring reliable management reporting.

• Decision-Making & Governance: Design governance structures and decision-making processes, facilitate alignment workshops, and prepare executive-level decisions.

• Transition Management: Support the migration from legacy systems and processes to future-state solutions, including business case development and transition planning.

• Implementation & Change: Drive the rollout of new solutions through stakeholder engagement, communication, and change management.

• Stakeholder Management: Bridge business units, IT organizations, and external partners to align interests and create commitment.

• Team Leadership &
  
  Coaching:
  
  Lead project teams, coordinate and delegate tasks, and develop consultants through active coaching and knowledge sharing.

• Business Development: Further develop our service portfolio along the automotive value chain, identify follow-on opportunities, and contribute to proposals and tenders.

• Automotive Practice Development: Advance key topic areas and strengthen our…