Management Consultant

Management consultants offer independent advice to businesses and other organisations. They aim to help their clients improve performance or deliver projects.

They may advise on a range of topics, including:

• business strategy
• major changes, such as mergers
• big programmes, such as updating an IT system
• environmental issues
• financial management
• turning around a failing business.

A management consultant may:

• take a brief from clients
• research the client's market and history
• write reports and make recommendations
• train and coach client employees
• oversee projects
• make sure budgets and deadlines are met
• help to bid for new work.

Management consultants work standard office hours, but are likely to need to work longer to meet project deadlines. The role can be demanding and stressful.

The work is office based, and involves a lot of travel to client sites.

Salaries start from around £27,000 and may reach over £100,000 for the most senior consultants.

It is important to be:

• knowledgeable about business
• analytical
• an excellent communicator, both in person and in writing
• able to get on with, and influence, all kinds of people
• good at managing projects
• comfortable working with numbers and IT
• confident
• creative
• self-motivated
• flexible
• energetic.

Consultancies vary in size, from small specialist firms to big multinationals. Competition for entry can be fierce. Besides academic qualifications, some relevant work experience is highly desirable.

Most consultants have a degree. Employers usually expect at least a 2:1 degree. Economics, business studies, IT and similar topics may be most useful. Postgraduate qualifications, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), can also be helpful.

New entrants usually go through an induction course and get mentoring from an experienced consultant. They may go on short courses to gain essential skills, such as presentation.

After experience as an analyst or junior consultant, it is possible to earn promotion to consultant and then to senior consultant and principal consultant. Established consultants may set up their own businesses, work abroad, or seek senior roles in almost any sector.

Further details