What Does a Managing Consultant Do?

Managing consultants are responsible for overseeing the work of other consultants. They may also be responsible for managing client relationships, developing new business opportunities, and ensuring that their firm meets its financial goals.

Managing consultants often have a great deal of influence over the direction of their organization. They commonly take an active role in shaping company policies and procedures, as well as hiring and firing employees.

Managing Consultant Job Duties

A managing consultant typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Meeting with clients and developing new business opportunities by identifying client needs and presenting solutions that address those needs
• Drafting proposals and presentations that highlight key points and selling points to help the client understand the benefits of hiring the consultant
• Conducting research on relevant topics in order to develop new ideas or improve existing ones
• Meeting with clients to determine their needs and objectives, and developing a plan to meet those needs
• Conducting market research to identify new opportunities for business development
• Communicating with clients throughout the project lifecycle to ensure that projects are on track and meet the client’s needs
• Presenting findings to clients in a manner that can be understood by non-experts
• Preparing reports on findings and recommendations based on research data
• Preparing bids to win new consulting projects by researching potential clients and preparing proposals that emphasize key selling points of the company

Managing Consultant Salary & Outlook

Managing consultants’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $125,000 ($60.1/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $193,000 ($92.79/hour)

The employment of managing consultants is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for consulting services will stem from the need to reduce costs and increase efficiency in organizations across a variety of industries. Organizations will continue to hire consultants to help them improve productivity, implement new technologies, and expand into new markets.

Managing Consultant Job Requirements

To become a managing consultant, you may need to have the following:

Education: Most employers require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as business administration, management or public administration. Some employers prefer to hire consultants with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). An MBA program typically takes two years to complete and includes coursework in finance, accounting, marketing, human resources and business law.

Training & Experience: Managing consultants typically receive on-the-job training in the form of mentorship from senior management or other consultants. This training helps them learn the specific processes and procedures of the company. Managing consultants may also receive training in the form of seminars or conferences. These conferences can help managing consultants learn about new trends in their industry and improve their skills.

Certifications & Licenses: A managing consultant is required to have a professional certification. While not all consulting firms require them, they are necessary to prove competence and commitment.

Managing Consultant Skills

Managing consultants need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information to others. As a consultant, you may be communicating with clients, other consultants and employees of the company you’re working with. Effective communication can help you to convey your ideas and instructions clearly and to understand the needs of others.

Active listening: Active listening is the ability to hear what someone is saying and understand their message. Managers often need to listen to their team members to understand their needs and concerns. You can also use active listening to understand the needs of clients and stakeholders. This can help you to provide the right solutions for their needs.

Collaboration: Collaboration is the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal. As a consultant, you may work with a team of other professionals to complete a project. For example, a marketing consultant may work with an advertising agency to develop a new marketing strategy for a company. In this case, the marketing consultant would need to collaborate with the advertising agency to create a strategy that meets the needs of the company.

Critical thinking: Critical thinking is the ability to analyze a situation and find the best solution. Managers often rely on their critical thinking skills to make important decisions about their team’s work. For example, if a client is unhappy with a consultant’s work, a manager with strong critical thinking skills can analyze the situation and find a solution that satisfies the client.

Problem-solving: Problem-solving skills allow you to identify issues, develop solutions and implement them. As a consultant, you may be called upon to solve a variety of problems, from technical issues to interpersonal conflicts. Your ability to identify the source of the problem and develop a solution that satisfies all parties can help you be an effective consultant.

Managing Consultant Work Environment

Managing consultants typically work in an office environment, although they may travel to meet with clients. They usually work regular business hours, although they may occasionally work overtime to meet deadlines or to attend evening or weekend meetings with clients. The work can be stressful, as managing consultants must juggle the demands of their clients with the demands of their own company. They must also be able to handle rejection, as not every proposal they make will be accepted.

Managing Consultant Trends

Here are three trends influencing how managing consultants work. Managing consultants will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Technical Skills

The need for more technical skills is a trend that is being driven by the increasing complexity of technology. As businesses become more reliant on technology, they are looking for consultants who have the expertise to help them implement and manage these systems.

Managing consultants can capitalize on this trend by becoming more familiar with the latest technologies. This will allow them to provide more value to their clients and help them stay ahead of the curve.

A Greater Focus on Digital Transformation

As businesses continue to focus on digital transformation, consulting firms will need to shift their focus towards helping their clients make this transition.

This means that managing consultants will need to be well-versed in all aspects of digital transformation, including marketing, customer experience, and product development. They will also need to be able to communicate the benefits of digital transformation to their clients in a way that is easy to understand.

More Collaboration Between Consultants and Internal Teams

As businesses become more complex, they are increasingly turning to outside consultants for help. This is because outside consultants often have a different perspective on problems than internal teams, which can lead to better solutions.

In order to take advantage of this trend, managing consultants should develop strong relationships with internal teams and be able to work together to find the best solutions. They should also be able to communicate effectively with both parties in order to keep everyone on the same page.

How to Become a Managing Consultant

A career as a managing consultant can be very rewarding. It offers the opportunity to work with a variety of clients on a range of projects, and to use your skills to help them solve their business problems.

To become a managing consultant, you need to have a strong technical background in your area of expertise, as well as excellent communication and problem-solving skills. You also need to be able to manage large teams of people and handle complex projects.

If you want to become a managing consultant, it’s important to build up your experience by working for different companies and on different types of projects. You should also take advantage of opportunities to develop your skills and learn new things.

Advancement Prospects

Managing consultants typically advance in their careers by taking on larger projects and clients. As they gain more experience, they may also be given more responsibility within their firm, such as leading a team of consultants or heading up a specific practice area. In some cases, managing consultants may eventually start their own consulting firms.

Managing Consultant Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide expert guidance to help businesses overcome complex challenges and achieve their desired outcomes. We are looking for a managing consultant to join our team and provide leadership and direction on projects. The ideal candidate will have experience leading and managing consulting projects, as well as a deep understanding of business operations and processes. They will be responsible for overseeing the work of consultants on their team, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. Additionally, they will provide input on proposals and new business opportunities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Engage with clients to understand their business objectives, and develop and implement creative solutions that drive value
• Lead project teams of consultants and specialists to deliver on client engagements
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, providing them with insights and recommendations based on your deep understanding of their industry and business
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, demonstrating your commitment to their success
• Write proposals and present findings and recommendations to clients
• Manage the financial aspects of engagements, including developing budgets and ensuring adherence to budget
• Conduct research and analysis to support engagement workstreams
• Supervise and develop junior team members, providing mentorship and guidance
• Stay abreast of latest industry trends and developments, and share knowledge with team members
• Participate in business development activities, including identifying new business opportunities and writing proposals
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality standards
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience, with at least 5 in management consulting
• Bachelor’s degree from a top-tier university
• Exceptional analytical skills and experience with data analysis
• Proven project management experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to travel up to 80%

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• MBA or other advanced degree
• Experience working in the healthcare industry
• Experience with change management
• Experience leading large teams