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Management consultant

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Administration, business and management
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Career outlook for management consultant

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£27,000

Experienced

£60,000

Currently employed in Scotland

13,400

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would help businesses and organisations solve problems, improve efficiency and make changes to the way they work.

Companies might bring in management consultants to provide particular knowledge or skills that they lack or offer a fresh viewpoint on a problem

You might be brought in to help save a struggling business.

There are several business areas that you could focus on to help your clients.

For example:

  • Planning and strategy
  • Finance
  • Improving productivity and processes
  • Marketing
  • Personnel
  • Information technology (IT)

Projects can vary depending on the type of business, but you could:

  • Meet clients to discuss what they need
  • Do research to gain an understanding of the client’s business
  • Interview managers, staff and customers
  • Collect and analyse data, and prepare reports
  • Identify and investigate issues, and plan how to tackle them
  • Review current procedures to highlight areas for improvement
  • Create computer models to test possible business solutions
  • Present your recommendations to the client
  • Agree a course of action with the client
  • Give ongoing support to the client to put recommendations into place

Projects may run from one day to several years, depending on the needs of your client.

Knowledge of the business world would be important. You’d need to be tactful and supportive. You’d need to persuade people who may be apprehensive about a new approach to the way they work.

Working conditions

Hours

You will often work long hours to meet project deadlines – a working week of at least 50 hours is not uncommon. The work can be pressurised, but many employers promote work-life balance by offering benefits such as flexible hours and career breaks.

Environment

You will work in an office environment, spending a lot of your time at clients' sites. Smart business dress is expected.

Travel

You may have to travel frequently, sometimes abroad.

UK employment status

Full-time

66%

Part-time

12%

Self employed

22%

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  • Cooperating
  • Listening
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Problem solving
  • Questioning
  • Researching
  • Empathising
  • Taking initiative
  • Analysing

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

The majority of entrants have a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or a degree (SCQF level 9/10).

Most degree subjects are acceptable to apply for this role but these subjects would be particularly useful:

  • Business studies
  • Computer studies
  • Economics
  • Engineering
  • Finance
  • Operational research
  • Mathematics
  • Statistics

Entry requirements for a degree are usually National 5 qualifications and three to five Highers, and for an Higher National Diploma are National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers.

Useful subjects

  • Maths  (required by most employers)
  • English (required by most employers)
  • Business
  • ICT
  • Administrative and numerate subjects.

Helpful to have

Foreign language skills are highly valued as many firms work with international clients.

A postgraduate qualification, such as a masters in business administration (MBA).

Previous experience in industry or commerce or in a specialist area such as computing, engineering or finance.