A Day in the Life of a Management Consulting Analyst

We recently caught up with Bright Network member, Alfonso, to chat about how his career is going. Alfonso has been working as a management consulting analyst and told us about his personal experience of what a day in the life of a management consulting analyst is really like. Read on to learn what a management consulting analyst does and whether it’s the career path for you.

What does a management consulting analyst do?

Management consulting analysts, otherwise known as management consultants or management analysts, look at an organisation’s management, find areas for improvement and make suggestions for how the organisation can be better. This might be looking into the way the teams are organised or demonstrate how the organisation can improve on its efficiency.

We started by asking Alfonso to reflect on working as a management consulting analyst.

Is there a task or project that you’ve worked on that has stood out to you?

We are currently working on a Strategy to approach new clients, and it is really rewarding when you see that a piece of work you've created has developed in to a huge opportunity for the company.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned since starting?       

There is always someone who will and can teach you something. I've always considered myself being to be sufficient and to rely on myself for anything I needed, but working here has taught me that sometimes it is better to trust your colleagues to provide you with that knowledge.

The working conditions of a management consulting analyst

Management consulting analysts are, at heart, consultants. This means they come into a company on a temporary basis and work with them to improve on their management, then move on to another company. Many management consulting analysts will work for a consulting firm which organises their clients for them. Whilst coming from outside the organisation can have its downsides, for example the management within the company sometimes being unwilling to take on your suggestions, it does have the benefit of giving you an objective position where you haven’t been influenced by working in the company previously. This can really help your job performance and means you come up with more useful suggestions for the company!

We asked Alfonso about what it’s like working as a management consulting analyst.

What has been the highlight of working as a management consulting analyst?

The company feeling. It is a really friendly environment and anyone would feel a warm welcome immediately upon arrival.

What’s one thing you didn’t expect?

I didn't think that client management would be as challenging as it is. Everyone has a different view and there is a lot of miscommunication between teams. Being able to get a clear idea of a whole business and getting it from different perspectives is harder than I’d thought.

A typical day in the life of a management consulting analyst

Since management consulting analysts work in different organisations, your working schedule and tasks will depend on the project you’re working on at a specific time. The job may also involve some travel as you’re moving between offices to understand the management practices of an organisation better. Typically, you would adopt the working practices of the company you’re working for, for example following their working hours and degree of flexibility.

We asked Alfonso to take us through what a typical day in the life of a management consulting analyst is like, from the tasks he completes to the interactions he has with clients.

What are the main tasks involved in your job?

Client management

Business requirements

Regulatory understanding and research

Drafting pitches to clients with solutions and ideas

Strategy development.

What do you do throughout the day?

On a daily basis I usually have to handle multiple meetings with clients, interact with them and be able to understand their needs to develop a management strategy for how the project should develop. I usually have to go through intense research to understand every part of the business and come up with the optimal solution. Essentially, as an overseer.

How you could become a management consulting analyst

Being a great management consulting analyst involves having a combination of skills and experiences. Firstly, you need great analytical skills. This will help you observe the management practices of a company to understand what’s going on. Secondly, you need to be strategically minded which will help you use your observations and produce a cohesive plan of action for the organisation moving forward. Finally, you need to be able to develop great client relations. They should trust your opinion and status as an expert in management strategy. Developing this skill can take some time, but it’s an important part of being a good management consulting analyst.

Typically, you need a degree to be a management consulting analyst. Choosing a subject with a heavy focus on analysis gives you great experience before starting the job, for example a business or finance subject.

We asked Alfonso for his advice on how you can break into the management consulting analyst profession.

What top tips would you give Bright Network members wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Develop a network, that is essential to move around, develop new opportunities and set yourself up with a good future.

Work through your certificates, any extra knowledge/points you accumulate that differentiates you from the rest, is critical.

Have you been inspired by Alfonso? Are you considering working life as a management consulting analyst? Explore the current jobs in consulting and management and business. Read our management consultant job profile to learn the facts behind the job!