Job Responsibilities
As a Consulting Manager, I led large scale change programs for
Retailers. My focus was in Merchandising, and I led teams of
Analysts and Consultants to analyze the business in order to
identify opportunities to drive value to the clients' business.
Additionally, I worked with my clients to develop and implement
new business processes and tools, that help to sustain the value
creation gain.
On a typical day, I started work at 7 or 7:30, and started client
meetings at about 8. During the day, about 6 hours were spent in
client meetings, and after 5 I regrouped with my team to set
objectives for the upcoming day(s) and plan for meetings and
presentations. Following a regroup with my team, I typically met
with the project Partner / AP to recap progress, review materials
for upcoming meetings, resolve issues and set direction. GREAT
EMPHASIS is placed on developing and delivering presentations, so
many many late nights were spent perfecting decks with Partners!
Typical wrap up time was about 8 pm, and I often went to dinner
with the team when I was on the road. One or two nights per week
I worked later -- either at the client or in my room -- to
prepare the the next day.
As a manager, I typically worked with client co-lead, and we
partnered to develop ideas and action steps. It was important to
build a good relationship with this person, as we spent most our
time working together. We typically collaborated on developing
solutions, and I did the follow up work (e.g. documentation /
presentation development, etc.).
Fridays were typically home office days, and I spent about 6
hours per Friday on conference calls (Practice calls, special
project committee calls, client calls, etc.). Additionally,
Fridays were good for career development, and I met with
counselees and counselors, new Analysts, special project groups,
etc.
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Uppers
Being on the "bleeding edge" of my industry was a great opportunity. I was able
to do such innovative work with my clients, and was able (and expected) to
provide the ideas and direction for some amazing companies.
My coworkers were amazing -- bright, driven, interesting! It was incredible to
be a part of a true high performance team.
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Downers
The lifestyle was tough -- flying every week, long hours, no end
ever in sight... Also, the career model changed dramatically in
the past couple years, so I did not have a sense of where I
wanted to end up. There are few promotions to Partner in today's
Firm, and that had been my objective for many years. It was
difficult to accept that I had invested so much, and the reward
that I wanted to achieve was no longer going to be achievable.
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Lifestyle
I averaged 70 hours per week, and 80-90 hour weeks were occasionally required.
Travel varied by client, so sometimes I was out Sunday pm home Friday pm, and
sometimes out Monday am, back Thursday pm. I invested a lot in this career, and
I got a lot back -- I think the lifestyle is a sacrifice that Consultants have to
make to be successful.
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Compensation
Base: $100K
Bonus: Possible to be very good, I only received 3% in 2003
Benefits were very good
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Advice to Jobseekers
Make the most of the experience -- it is worth it to invest in
order to learn and gain world class experience!
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