Management consultant: Job description

Management consultants help organisations to solve issues, create value, maximise growth and improve the business performance of their clients. They use their business skills to provide objective advice, expertise and specialist skills which the organisation may be lacking. 

Management consultants are primarily concerned with the strategy, structure, management and operations of an organisation. They will identify options for the organisation and suggest recommendations for change, as well as helping with additional resources to implement solutions.

Consultants operate across a wide variety of services such as business strategy, marketing, financial and management controls, human resources, information technology, e-business and operations, and supply-chain management.

Consultancy firms range from larger firms that offer end-to-end solutions to smaller or niche firms that offer specialist expertise, skills and industry knowledge.

Typical work activities

The day-to-day activities of management consultants are often complex and varied. Projects can vary in length depending on the type of consultancy, firm and the demands of the client. They can involve an individual or a large team and may be based in one location or across various sites including overseas.

Typical tasks, particularly for new graduate recruits, involve:

• carrying out research and data collection to understand the organisation;
• conducting analysis;
• interviewing client's employees, management team and other stakeholders;
• running focus groups and facilitating workshops;
• preparing business proposals/presentations.

New recruits tend to spend most of their time at the client's site.

In addition to the above, tasks for more experienced and senior consultants involve:

• identifying issues and forming hypotheses and solutions;
• presenting findings and recommendations to clients;
• implementing recommendations/solutions and ensuring the client receives the necessary assistance to carry it all out;
• managing projects and programmes;
• leading and managing those within the team, including analysts;
• liaising with the client to keep them informed of progress and to make relevant decisions.