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What does a professional services consultant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Brian Simmons

A professional services consultant supports their employer achieved short-term and long-term business needs. They provide beneficial information and analysis for upper management to use in decision making. Generally, professional services consultants may offer help in a variety of areas depending on their area of expertise. For example, a consultant with business strategy expertise may help to implement new techniques for greater cost-saving efficiency. Other professional services consultants may also assist other related businesses, such as financial planning and legal issues. Moreover, this position is mostly full time and in an office setting.

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Professional services consultant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real professional services consultant resumes:

  • Manage the SDLC for a re-write of all systems for a national automobile auction house.
  • Design and manage development of SLA measurement platform to be used by service providers for performance measurements.
  • Generate maps, manage and update GIS data, perform geographic analyses, develop and update databases for clients.
  • Develop and manage database connectivity for AbInitio ETL tool.
  • Manage design and development of cloud-base billing application for streamlining payroll and invoicing, as well as offering real-time business analytics.
  • Implement several SAN and disaster recovery solutions for applications for Unix, Windows/Exchange/SQL and VMware.
  • Deploy BIGIP VE on VMWare ESX.
  • Modify several COBOL CICS programs.
  • Configure call center and CRM system for Monster.com.
  • Develop applications to integrate ASG products with VDI cloud product.
  • Develop VBscript and Unix shell scripts to extend the product.
  • Train staff/clients on implementation methodologies, tools, Java integration APIs.
  • Specialize in FlexPod designs using Netapp, Cisco UCS and VMWare.
  • Develop modules in PL/SQL to do the data conversion bridges over night.
  • Recommend changes and updates to the RTIC XML schema base on new requirements.

Professional services consultant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Professional Services Consultants are proficient in Professional Services, Architecture, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Professional Services Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Professional Services, 14%

    Promoted from Technology Recruiter and handpicked for professional services consulting role to manage and retain client accounts in challenging deployments.

  • Architecture, 6%

    Identified customer requirements, performed a detailed analysis of architecture, and proposed a network solution and transition plan.

  • Cloud, 6%

    Trained as Implementation Consultant for Success Factors - a cloud based, On Demand, Human Capital Management software solution.

  • Java, 6%

    Developed and implemented customized services using Java and VB programming in combination with SQL, JavaScript and Bean Shell scripting languages.

  • Customer Service, 5%

    Developed custom materials and delivered train the trainer for customer service representatives for new and existing client implementations.

  • Unix, 4%

    Resolve Web Server issues on NT and Unix: Netscape Enterprise Server, Netscape Directory Server and IIS.

Most professional services consultants use their skills in "professional services," "architecture," and "cloud" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential professional services consultant responsibilities here:

Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a professional services consultant to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what professional services consultants do because "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." Additionally, a professional services consultant resume shows how professional services consultants use creativity: "guided customers in implementing software solutions to reduce costs, track inventory, and manage their infrastructure. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform professional services consultant duties is analytical skills. Professional services consultants responsibilities require that "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." Professional services consultants also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "directed various enterprise application, data migration, upgrade and support projects for a saas crm product. "

Communication skills. professional services consultants are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to professional services consultant responsibilities, because "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." A professional services consultant resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "developed website and first fbi program to fully use sharepoint as a team communication portal. "

See the full list of professional services consultant skills

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Compare different professional services consultants

Professional services consultant vs. Consultant/team lead

Consultant team leads analyze background documentation, project documents, financial reports, etc., to prepare an initial report about the projects they are working on. They gather data through interviews, research, and surveys to design proposals meant to create an inclusive environment for everyone. These leaders work with clients to improve their organization's performance by coordinating their teams and identifying their needs. They also lead a team of consultants and discuss the techniques that help their clients improve their quality of living.

The annual salary of consultants/team lead is $13,094 lower than the average salary of professional services consultants.Even though professional services consultants and consultants/team lead are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, unix, and project management in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a professional services consultant are more likely to require skills like "professional services," "architecture," "cloud," and "java." On the other hand, a job as a consultant/team lead requires skills like "product knowledge," "liaising," "bi," and "windows." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Consultants/team lead tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $112,433. In contrast, professional services consultants make the biggest average salary, $108,105, in the technology industry.On average, consultants/team lead reach similar levels of education than professional services consultants. Consultants/team lead are 4.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Professional services consultant vs. Consultant

Consultants are individuals who were tapped by a company or an organization to work on a specific activity, depending on their field of expertise. They act as guides for the organization in undertaking projects that are related to their field. Consultants would usually assist organizations in planning, often giving advice when the need arises. They would, at times, take the lead in activities that involve data gathering and interpretation of data gathering results so that they can provide solid recommendations on actions that the organization may undertake. They may also guide the organization in implementing any changes brought about by their consultancy and in evaluating the effectiveness of the changes.

Consultant positions earn lower pay than professional services consultant roles. They earn a $31,233 lower salary than professional services consultants per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Professional services consultants and consultants both require similar skills like "java," "customer service," and "unix" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real professional services consultant resumes. While professional services consultant responsibilities can utilize skills like "professional services," "architecture," "cloud," and "client facing," consultants use skills like "strong analytical," "financial statements," "payroll," and "r."

Consultants may earn a lower salary than professional services consultants, but consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $85,405. On the other hand, professional services consultants receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $108,105.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Consultants tend to reach similar levels of education than professional services consultants. In fact, they're 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for professional services consultants in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Brian SimmonsDr. Brian Simmons LinkedIn profile

Associate Provost, Columbia International University

COVID 19 has necessitated a rapid academic response to the educational needs of students. Teaching and learning that was conducted in a F2F mode of content delivery were thrust online last spring. Today, much teaching and education continue to be offered, either online or in a blended format. When we get beyond the pandemic, we will engage in reflective practice to glean from our experiences. My hunch is that there will be a new standard and more willingness to engage students online via learning management systems.

Professional services consultant vs. Bi consultant

BI Consultants improve the company's internal processes through data analysis and consultation. Their primary duties include monitoring data storage, documenting work processes, preparing data analysis reports, reviewing and validating the companies' data, and monitoring analysis outcomes and metrics. Other duties performed by these professionals include implementing data analysis methodologies, developing analysis and data collection procedures and policies, and creating or identifying new processing and data collection programs. Also, these professionals develop models for analyzing key sector behaviors.

On average scale, bi consultants bring in lower salaries than professional services consultants. In fact, they earn a $13,848 lower salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on professional services consultants and bi consultants resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "unix," "sql server," and "azure.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a professional services consultant is likely to be skilled in "professional services," "architecture," "cloud," and "java," while a typical bi consultant is skilled in "dashboards," "power bi," "analytics," and "visualization."

Bi consultants earn the best pay in the retail industry, where they command an average salary of $99,100. Professional services consultants earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $108,105.Most bi consultants achieve a higher degree level compared to professional services consultants. For example, they're 17.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Professional services consultant vs. Sap abap consultant

In the information technology industry, SAP ABAP Consultants specialize in developing and recommending strategies to optimize system operations and provide solutions against problem areas. They typically meet with clients to identify their needs and preferences, conduct research and assessments, gather and analyze data from various operations, develop action plans and cost estimates, conduct risk assessments, and identify existing issues, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, SAP ABAP consultants typically work in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Sap abap consultants typically earn lower pay than professional services consultants. On average, sap abap consultants earn a $18,755 lower salary per year.According to resumes from professional services consultants and sap abap consultants, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "java," "fixed assets," and "technical specifications. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A professional services consultant uses "professional services," "architecture," "cloud," and "customer service." Sap abap consultants are more likely to have duties that require skills in "sap abap," "custom fields," "bdc," and "purchase orders. "In general, sap abap consultants earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $104,734. The highest-paying industry for a professional services consultant is the technology industry.sap abap consultants reach higher levels of education compared to professional services consultants, in general. The difference is that they're 10.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of professional services consultant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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