Tackle the key, ‘high-level’ strategic issues faced by CEOs. Build core consulting skills from the unique range of projects on offer. And work with major global corporate clients and financial investors.
Find out more about Strategy Consulting
Consulting
What we do
This is where we focus on the ‘high-level’ strategic issues businesses face. Our deep industry and technical expertise crosses every sector and wins us demanding but interesting projects. The range of insight we deliver covers everything from competitors and the state of the market to consumer behaviour and pricing strategy. By coming up with detailed, rigorous evaluation of a business’s proposition, we help clients develop new strategies and approaches.
Our flexible, tailored services are concentrated on two main areas:
Corporate and Business Unit Strategy offers a wide range of strategic advice to major international companies and organisations. We help our clients think through the most pressing strategic issues they face.
Examples of the strategy projects we’ve carried out on behalf of clients include:
- market and business opportunity sizing
- business portfolio optimisation
- competitive cost positioning
- strategic supply chain improvement
- proposition development
- pricing strategy
- market entry strategy
Deals Consulting advises a broad range of investors – including the leading private equity houses, major banks, and companies undertaking Mergers & Aquisitions – on investment opportunities. The Deals practice, a leader in its field, delivers deep commercial insight into the attractiveness of a proposition, helping clients think through investment/divestment decisions about businesses. We evaluate business plans and company strategies against market performance and competitor strength, to deliver a rigorous appraisal of a business’s commercial outlook.
Our Culture
Strategy Consulting at PwC has one of the highest employee retention rates within the management consultancy sector. Why?
We're meritocratic; we understand that people who join us want to learn and develop as fast as they're able – and be rewarded for their efforts and successes. And we share more than just knowledge. Our team includes a diverse range of nationalities and languages, making it a fascinating place to work.
We also believe it's important to enjoy what we do – that's why our people consistently excel. And we don't insist that people put in unnecessary face-time in order to impress. Instead, we focus on results, which makes for a happier, more productive office atmosphere. And as we're largely office-based in London, it's easy to socialise together regularly. We get on with each other – and we think that matters.
What you'll do
You’ll work on only one project at a time in your first few years so you’ll be able to focus totally on the job in hand. For each particular project we bring together a specific team – typically three to eight people who’ll work together on the project for between four to eight weeks. As an Associate, you’ll be the cornerstone of the team. We’ll value your opinion from day one and want to hear it. Responsible for desk-research, detailed technical analysis and modelling, telephone interviews and practical field research, you’ll develop insights based on analysis of your findings. Such work is vital to the project team and you’ll present your findings and contribute ideas at team meetings and to clients.
Training & Development
A comprehensive, two-week induction will introduce you to the basic tools of strategy consulting, with theoretical and practical courses and a challenging case study to test your new skills. After that, you'll enjoy first-class internal and external training resources, both strategy-specific as well as for 'softer' skills, such as people management and negotiating skills.
The learning curve will be steep – but you will be coached and mentored by talented, experienced colleagues. The projects we work on generally last four to eight weeks, which means you’ll be exposed to the widest possible range of clients, issues and industry sectors, including:
- Business Services
- Government & Public Sector
- Consumer Goods
- Financial Services
- Industrial Products
- Media & Entertainment
- Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
- Retail
- Technology & Communications
- Travel & Leisure
Such variety differentiates us from our competitors where much longer projects are the norm. The broad experience you’ll gain as a result will act as a strong base for developing individual consulting skills.
We also offer opportunities for international secondments and even sponsored MBA programmes to exceptional performers.
About you
We look for a rare combination of razor-sharp commercial awareness, superb time-management and analytical skills, and the confidence and credibility to present your opinions to senior colleagues and clients. You will expect to be challenged daily. Most importantly, you’ll be determined to use your expertise for the benefit of some of the word's leading organisations and entrepreneurs.
You'll also need at least a 2.1 in any discipline and 340 UCAS points (or equivalent).
Strategy Consulting offers unique opportunities to develop excellence in business consulting at top speed – working with the best in their field.
Next Steps