Management Consultant Job Description
At Ascent Professional Services we connect businesses with the best Management Consultants. If you want to progress your career as a management consultant, you can learn more about what a management consultant does, the qualifications and skills required to be one and how they have a positive impact on businesses they work for.
What is a Management Consultant?
A management consultant is a professional who helps organisations improve their operational efficiency, solve complex business problems, and develop strategies for future growth. They work with companies across various industries to analyse existing business operations, identify challenges, and recommend solutions that will improve overall performance. Their role involves conducting research, collecting data, and using industry best practices to provide expert advice tailored to the specific needs of the organisation.
Management consultants often specialise in different areas such as finance, technology, manufacturing and other key industries. They may work independently or as part of a consulting firm, collaborating closely with executives and employees to implement changes that drive success. Their work can include restructuring a company’s operations, optimising supply chains, improving financial performance, or advising on digital transformation. The goal is to provide actionable insights that help businesses achieve sustainable growth and remain competitive in their industry.
Management Consultant Average Salary Expectations
Management Consultancy is an extremely competitive role and one that is highly sought after by businesses of all sizes. In our experience, starting salaries for junior Management Consultants is between £30,000-£40,000. However, this will largely depend on the size of the organisation as well as location. For an established Management Consultant, salary expectations are between £50,000 to £100,000, depending on experience. For Senior Management Consultants, salary expectations can be higher still, again, depending on experience.
Learn more about Management Consulting Salaries.
Management Consultant Industries
A Management Consultant is a complex role that requires a deep understanding of the day-to-day operations of organisations. The role also requires knowledge of each of the departmental functions within a business in order to implement effective change. A management consultant should be competent when it comes to business practice and should help organisations solve issues to create value and maximise growth opportunities in order to improve the performance of the business. Management Consultants work across a diverse range of sectors including:
- Procurement
- Pharmaceutics
- Healthcare
- Life Sciences
- Government
- Financial Services
- Operations
- Retail
- Transformation
- Engineering
Responsibilities for Management Consultants
The key management consultant responsibilites includes:
- Be an effective communicator, speaking to and interviewing employees and stakeholders at all levels of the business.
- Be numerical, able to analyse and interpret data, understanding the impact of data on an organisation
- Run workshops and focus groups and conduct on-site observations to ascertain key information about the organisation and its employees
- Be confident in conducting quantitative research
- Be confident in conducting qualitative research
- Review and consolidate findings to then present to the client
- Create and deliver proposals, presentations and written reports to key stakeholders
- Define problems and conceptualise solutions or alternative practices for improving performance
- Make recommendations for new systems, practices and procedures to be implemented
- Advise the business or continue to work with the business to support the implementation of suggested and recommended activities to improve business performance
- Effectively manage projects from inception to completion
- Lead teams to secure positive outcomes for organisations
Qualifications for Management Consultant
Management Consultancy is a career open to graduates of any degree, however, a degree that is more numerical, data and analytical in nature would likely be sought after by most firms.
For anyone looking to pursue a career in Management Consulting, we recommend the following subjects:
- Business
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Science (Physics / Chemistry / Biology)
- Accounting
- Finance
- Management
- Engineering
The subject you choose can also impact your choice of specialism in the future.
It is becoming more competitive to place candidates with just a foundation degree, so in order to get the competitive edge it is also worth considering taking a masters or completing an MBA to improve your chances of landing your dream Management Consulting role.
It may also be possible to become a management consultant in a business through an apprenticeship, a graduate trainee scheme, or applying directly to the organisation.
To learn more about graduate opportunities, read our blog: ‘Working For A Boutique Management Consulting Firm After University’.
Experience and Skills for Management Consultant
These skills are essential for an established Management Consultant looking for a new role:
- University degree and additional relevant qualifications
- Experience as a management consultant or a similar relevant consulting role
- Experience using common business and project management software
- Ability to create and develop strong relationships
- Able to rally teams behind a shared vision to achieve targets
- Strong analytical thinker
- Capable of being creative and thinking of solutions 'outside the box'
- Organised with strong business acumen
- Can demonstrate project management experience of complex multiphase projects
- Ability to deliver projects on-time and on budget
Management Consultant Interview Questions
Below are some examples of interview questions that you might be asked in a management consultant interview…
- Tell me more about yourself. Are there any areas of your CV you would like to discuss?
- What value can you add to our organisation in addition to your knowledge and expertise?
- Describe your most challenging project.
- Describe a time that you displayed leadership.
- How would you improve performance in our business.
- Why have you chosen our organisation? What makes it different from your current employer?
- What is your most important leadership experience to date? What have you learned from that experience and how has it impacted your development as a leader?
- How would you react if a business stakeholder told you they were unsure of your recommendations.
- What is one of the first challenges you would like to tackle in this business? Why is that, and how would you address this?
- Describe a time you overcame a challenging situation.
- How would you make this business more profitable?
For more on Management Consultant Interview Questions, read our blog on ‘Management Consulting Interview Question Advice’.
How to Get a Job in Management Consulting
Getting a job in management consulting requires a combination of education, skills, and networking. Most consulting firms prefer candidates with a strong academic background, typically in business, economics, engineering, or other related fields. Earning a bachelor’s degree from a reputable university is essential, while many top-tier firms often prefer candidates with an MBA or other advanced degrees. Eexcelling in coursework related to strategy, finance, and data analysis can also help to provide a strong foundation for a consulting career. Internships at consulting firms or relevant industry experience can also be valuable, as they provide real-world exposure and experience.
Developing the right skill set is crucial for gaining a job in management consulting. Firms look for candidates with excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, as consultants must interpret complex data and present clear, actionable recommendations to clients. Strong interpersonal skills, leadership experience, and the ability to work in teams are also important, as consultants frequently collaborate with clients and colleagues in high-pressure environments.
Networking can also play an important role in securing a job in management consulting. Connecting with professionals in the industry through networks, LinkedIn, or industry events can provide valuable insights and may lead to potential job referrals. Attending company recruitment events, career fairs, and informational interviews can help candidates better understand the firm’s culture and hiring process. Many consulting firms also have structured recruitment programs where candidates can apply for internships or entry-level roles.
Find your Future Management Consultant Role
View our current active Management Consultant Jobs to dicover your next role today.
We are also hiring for Management Consultant roles in the Middle East - Middle East Management Consulting Jobs.
Management Consultant Career Advice and Tips
Make sure to take a look at our wide range of informative blogs for great tips from leading industry experts. Whether you're looking for advice on writing the perfect CV, want to understand the interview process, or want to find out more about a typical management consultant salary, our team has all the answers.