Management Consultant - Access Network Consultant

Management Consultant - Access Network Consultant

Location: London

Career Level 9: Consultant

As a team:

Our 8,000+ strong team of Network Professionals combine deep business insight with hands-on technology expertise. We support Tier-1 operators and technology vendors through large-scale RAN transformation programmes — from strategy and design through to deployment, optimisation, and ongoing operations. We leverage emerging technologies including Open RAN, 5G Advanced, 6G, Satellite, Generative AI, and Autonomous Networks to deliver measurable business outcomes for our clients.

This is what our clients’ current challenges and opportunities demand of us and it is what makes us differentiates us from other consulting firms in the market.

You'll learn, grow and advance in an innovative culture that thrives on shared success, diverse ways of thinking and enables boundaryless opportunities that can drive your career in new and exciting ways

If you’re looking for a challenging career working in a vibrant environment with access to training and a global network of experts, this could be the role for you. As part of our global team, you'll be working with cutting-edge technologies and on ground-breaking opportunities and will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of new skills on the job.

As an Access Network Consultant:

You will sit at the heart of our RAN practice, acting as a trusted technical advisor to some of the world's leading operators while managing delivery across complex, multi-workstream engagements. You will be equally comfortable in front of a client presenting a business case as you are deep in a technical design session with a vendor engineering team.

This role spans the full RAN value chain: pre-sales solutioning, architecture definition, programme delivery, performance optimisation, and the application of AI/ML and Autonomous Network techniques to transform how networks are operated.

• Support end-to-end RAN transformation programmes for mobile network operators, covering multi-generation technology migration (2G → 5G SA) and Open RAN adoption roadmaps, acting as the primary client-facing technical authority.
• Shape transformation business cases, including TCO modelling, NPV/ROI analysis, vendor benchmarking, and funding scenarios, to C-suite and board-level stakeholders.
• Support pre-sales activities, solution design for O-RAN, SD-WAN, Satellite, and private 5G engagements, including RFI/RFP responses, sizing, and commercial pricing support.
• Define target RAN architectures aligned with operator strategy, integrating O-RAN, cloud-native and virtualised RAN (vRAN/CU-DU split) principles.
• Own technical delivery, manage deployment and testing phases across workstreams, stakeholder dependencies, risks, and quality gates to ensure on-time, on-budget outcomes.
• Drive network optimisation, KPI baselining, root cause analysis, parameter tuning, and feature activation across 4G and 5G networks, underpinned by SON and closed-loop automation.
• Apply Generative AI & Autonomous Networks, identify and pilot GenAI use cases (AI-assisted planning, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance) and architect solutions aligned with TM Forum L0–L5 and ETSI ZSM frameworks.
• Productionise AI/ML models, collaborate with data science and engineering teams to deploy models in live RAN environments and support clients in building responsible AI governance frameworks.
• Lead and mentor teams, manage multi-disciplinary onshore and offshore teams of consultants and engineers, fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture.
• Drive thought leadership & continuous learning, contribute white papers, participate in standards bodies (3GPP, O-RAN Alliance), and stay ahead of emerging technologies including 6G, Satellite/NTN, and network APIs.

We are looking for experience in the following skills:

• 1-4+ years of hands-on experience in RAN engineering, consulting, or technology management within a mobile network operator, vendor, or consultancy environment.

•Proven expertise in 4G LTE and 5G NR RAN design, deployment, and optimisation — including 5G SA architecture.

• Strong command of 3GPP and O-RAN Alliance standards and specifications.

• Experience with business case development for major network investment programmes or familiarity and appetite to understand the place business cases play.

• Track record of client-facing engagements and performing in technical teams in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

• Experience with at least one major RAN vendor platform (Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, Samsung, or Open RAN equivalents).

• Hands-on experience with Open RAN / O-RAN deployments including RIC platforms and disaggregated RAN architectures.
• Practical knowledge of AI/ML applications in network operations, including SON, closed-loop automation, or Generative AI tooling.
• Exposure to SD-WAN design and enterprise wireless (Wi-Fi 6/6E, private 5G) solutions.
• Familiarity with cloud-native infrastructure (Kubernetes, containers, CI/CD pipelines) in the context of vRAN or cloud RAN deployments.
• Understanding of adjacent domains: transport networking, core network (5GC), and OSS/BSS integration.
• Experience with IoT connectivity platforms and industrial wireless use cases.

What’s in it for you

At Accenture in addition to a competitive basic salary, you will also have an extensive benefits package which includes 30 days vacation per year, private medical insurance and 3 extra days leave per year for charitable work of your choice!

Flexibility and mobility are required to deliver this role as there will be requirements to spend time onsite with our clients and partners to enable delivery of the first-class services we are known for.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 791,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities.

Visit us at www.accenture.com