What does a Consultant Principal do?
Consultants are experts in their fields with extensive knowledge and experience in a niche-specific subject who use their experience and expertise to address issues and solve problems found in businesses. Often, they come in from the outside of an organization with a perspective that is new and provide fresh takes that can unstick issues to shift resources and to move a company in a different direction.
Consultants turn their extensive knowledge into a resource to facilitate change or revitalize business processes. They assist with the creation of new businesses and are called upon to assist start-ups before, during, and after they launch. As specialists in the marketing, human resources management, engineering, and finance fields, consultants provide expert advice and analysis accordingly. They are abject at troubleshooting and present strategies that address and prevent problems or improve and enhance company performance. Consultants need a four-year degree in their area of expertise.
- Able to lead, support and participate on project teams.
- Curate relevant data, using both internal and external resources.
- Achieve client's expectations for scope, budget, schedule, and quality.
- Develop and expand client relationships that generate repeat business.
- Ensure quality products and services are delivered on time.
- Carry out fieldwork, report writing, consulting, and plan review.
- Mentor project team members on client engagements to build their capabilities.
- Develop and implement executive level governance structure, while helping to drive meeting structure and discussions.
- Create model documentation, develop implementation roadmaps, and perform knowledge transfers.
- Participate in client visits, industry events, trade shows, conferences and/or other marketing events as necessary.
- Assist with preparation of reports, presentations and other client deliverables.
- Partner with clients to understand their business and related needs.
- Present project status updates and recommendations to leadership team(s).
- Lead the capture and maintenance documentation of work processes.
- Act as technical escalation point to assist other consultants.
- Provide peer review, technical guidance, and mentoring for team members.
- Contribute to all project phases - plan, analyze, design, build and test.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in business or equivalent experience.
- General consulting experience.
- Demonstrated leadership experience and skills.
- Excellent at problem solving and critical thinking.
- Strong attention to detail and time management.
- Basic understanding of Agile methodology.
- Basic understanding of lead management.
Consultant Principal Salaries
Average Base Pay
Consultant Principal Career Path
Learn how to become a Consultant Principal, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Average Years of Experience
Consultant Principal Insights
Capgemini“The opportunity which I found is excellent and i am building my knowledge towards the development is awesome”
HARMAN“Good company and also projects are good and company was giving benefits to employee but not now”
Eworx“Office administrators maintain such a positive and friendly attitude that make you enjoy going to work every day.”
alliantgroup, LP“Good pay (for experienced hires) and good for people relocating to Houston that don’t know many people.”
Capco“People are young and energetic largely and there is an emphasis on developing your skills and career.”
Deloitte“Flat and slow career path evolution; an indicator that productivity and knowledge is not appreciated.”
Skillsoft“The global and local team I work with are brilliant and really enhance my day and the work we do.”
WTW“Graduate programme was well structured and a good career path for new graduates fresh out of university.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of consultants
There is no typical day for a consultant. Since they are often an expert in their field, they spend time advising clients over the phone, by email, or by traveling to their offices. Daily tasks include checking email, client meetings, and delegating tasks.
Consulting can be a very rewarding career that allows a professional to focus on their area of expertise. The hours vary depending on the client, and it often takes you on the road. The advantages of being a consultant are flexibility and freedom.
Working as a consultant is not easy, but it allows for a lot of flexibility. They often work long hours on a project and then have a few days of downtime in between jobs. The challenges of being a consultant are creating your own work structure and holding yourself accountable for results.