Interim Quantum / Cryptography Specialist

Interim Quantum / Cryptography Specialist

(Contract /UK wide/ Hybrid-working)

Who we are

At Grant Thornton we're building something bold. We're doing things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity. Our journey from great to exceptional is well underway. With significant investment behind us and a clear strategy for growth, there's real momentum.

Our Agile Talent Community (ATC) brings together experienced contract professionals who want choice without losing connection. You work where you add the most value, alongside teams who treat you as a partner rather than a placeholder.

Grant Thornton's Cyber Advisory team is rebuilding and growing its talent pool to support a strengthening pipeline of client work spanning cyber maturity assessments, governance and controls, third-party risk and emerging technology advisory. We're looking for experienced cyber professionals to join our Agile Talent Community and deliver Grant Thornton-led advisory engagements for clients across financial services and beyond.

If you're a cryptography specialist with a genuine quantum-readiness background, you'll help our clients understand where current cryptographic standards break down under quantum computing and advise on their post-quantum cryptography (PQC) migration roadmap - from crypto inventory and discovery through prioritisation and transition planning. You'll be equally comfortable translating a highly technical subject into a board-level narrative.

You can engage with us through your own limited company or on inside IR35 terms - whichever way gives you the freedom you're looking for.

Skills we are looking for

• Cryptography background, with a clear understanding of where current cryptographic standards break under quantum computing
• Experience building or advising on a PQC migration roadmap: crypto inventory/discovery, prioritisation and transition planning
• Able to translate a highly technical subject into a board-level narrative and plan
• Awareness of emerging standards (NIST PQC, CNSA 2.0) and vendor tooling in this space
• Relevant cryptography/security certification or academic background preferred; NCSC or industry quantum-readiness experience a strong plus - we'll flex on formal credentials for the right depth of experience

Why Consultants choose the ATC

• Work that moves you forward
• When a project fits your skills, we'll get in touch, but you choose whether it's right for you. That means working on engagements that genuinely build your portfolio and expand your expertise.
• The freedom of contracting without the hidden admin
• You're not left to navigate the freelance world alone. Our Agile Talent team helps you understand freelance regulation and connects you with people who broaden your thinking through our teams and clients.
• Community you can actually feel
• Connection shouldn't disappear just because you're contracting. From market insights to wellbeing sessions to networking events, you'll be part of a community designed to make the independent path less isolated and more impactful.

Our culture and values

We have a culture where talented people thrive - where high performance is not just expected but enabled. It's a culture built on clarity, curiosity, and care. One that challenges us to aim higher, where we're encouraged to make the most of an abundance of resources to fuel our own development, and where we support each other to grow, learn, and succeed. Our open and accessible culture means you'll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That's why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

How to join

We keep the process straightforward, because the real work happens once you're here.

• Submit your CV and basic details through our online application.
• If there's a match, a recruiter will reach out to discuss.
• Meet key stakeholders for a focused conversation.
• Complete your background checks, join the Agile Talent Community, and start exploring the opportunities we have to offer.

If you need adjustments at any point in the process, please let us know during the application stage - we aim to make sure our roles are accessible to everyone.