What does a strategic consultant do?
A strategic consultant is responsible for assessing business management procedures and identifying opportunities to enhance project processes for business solutions and requirements. Strategic consultants develop services that would help the company increase revenues and profits by conducting data and statistical analysis and analyzing the current market trends. They also review quality control procedures to manage inconsistencies and establish techniques to maximize the staff's productivity and efficiency. A strategic consultant must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to support the business in achieving its long-term goals and objectives.
Strategic consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real strategic consultant resumes:
- Manage CSR budget and agency and provide social media monitoring reporting and analysis to business on corporate reputation and brand issues.
- Prepare and submit monthly operational reserves in accordance with GAAP.
- Train and educate new and current employees on the MDS process.
- Determine where resources have and can be most efficient, maximizing future ROI of stakeholder engagements.
- Assist in the installation & training of CRM solutions for DealerSocket, a leading auto CRM solutions provider
- Research innovative ways to use new technology to fundamentally change the data protection methods of EMC environments.
- Set up various CSR activities internally and externally which the company can extend on a longer term basis.
- Work closely with internal and external partners to deploy new tools and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
- Develop a website and Facebook page to raise awareness of success stories of the women returning home from prison.
- Create PowerPoint presentations for consulting business.
- Create solution guidebook providing clients detail understanding of propose solution and ROI.
- Analyze internal knowledge infrastructure and develop optimized information system/organization.
- Develop web base PHP portal applications to support client auction and sales requirements.
- Develop a consulting business for client engagements in retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and academic customers.
- Analyze internal knowledge infrastructure and develop optimized information system/organization.
Strategic consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Strategic Consultants are proficient in Project Management, Strategic Sourcing, and Process Improvement. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Strategic Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 11%
Defined direction of strategic agenda of Project Management /Portfolio management goals on an enterprise level.
- Strategic Sourcing, 9%
Provided cross-functional Strategic Sourcing consulting services for Tool Storage Project to merchandise product-line buying teams, operating departments and service end-users.
- Process Improvement, 8%
Provide clear recommendations for strategic implementation, change management, process improvement, efficiency, sustainability and scale.
- Cloud, 6%
Boosted team communications and productivity by managing the implementation of technologies like Internet Cloud services for document management.
- Cost Savings, 6%
Key Achievements: Developed programs and initiatives to drive spend under management and generate short term realizable cost savings.
- Business Strategy, 4%
Worked with executive management to understand the business strategy and formulated and articulated product solution to achieve the optimum goal.
Most strategic consultants use their skills in "project management," "strategic sourcing," and "process improvement" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential strategic consultant responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a strategic consultant to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what strategic consultants do because "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services." Additionally, a strategic consultant resume shows how strategic consultants use interpersonal skills: "leveraged deep knowledge of hr policies and employment law, as well as, strong interpersonal and communication skills. "
Problem-solving skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling strategic consultant duties is problem-solving skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." According to a strategic consultant resume, here's how strategic consultants can utilize problem-solving skills in their job responsibilities: "design potential erp solution deployment strategy for ge-alstom combined organization. "
Time-management skills. This is an important skill for strategic consultants to perform their duties. For an example of how strategic consultant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a strategic consultant: "provided on time logistics support to credit unions and small banks. ".
Analytical skills. strategic consultant responsibilities often require "analytical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." This resume example shows what strategic consultants do with analytical skills on a typical day: "worked with several retail clients to deliver bi/data warehouse solutions to support pos and retail erp systems. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in strategic consultant job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what strategic consultants do. Strategic consultant responsibilities rely on this skill because "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." You can also see how strategic consultant duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "project management including development, communication and management of project plans and timelines. "
The three companies that hire the most strategic consultants are:
- U.S. Bank64 strategic consultants jobs
- Cornerstone49 strategic consultants jobs
- Google12 strategic consultants jobs
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Compare different strategic consultants
Strategic consultant vs. Business development consultant
The role of business consultants is to provide an analysis of a company on its business practices and make recommendations for long-term goals. This role is also connected with various duties and responsibilities, including reviewing the company's financial statements, engaging in research on how to improve the company's offers, and developing new business models. Also, business consultants are responsible for negotiating contracts as needed, initiating plans and strategies to minimize company losses and drive profits. They may also function as the company's representative in promotional events and trade associations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a strategic consultant are more likely to require skills like "strategic sourcing," "process improvement," "cost savings," and "business strategy." On the other hand, a job as a business development consultant requires skills like "healthcare," "strategic thinking," "customer satisfaction," and "sales training." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Business development consultants really shine in the media industry with an average salary of $95,927. Comparatively, strategic consultants tend to make the most money in the media industry with an average salary of $112,963.On average, business development consultants reach lower levels of education than strategic consultants. Business development consultants are 11.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Strategic consultant vs. Senior management consultant
A senior management consultant is an experienced professional who is in charge of a team of management consultants to help an organization solve issues, maximize growth, and improve business performance. Senior management consultants must conduct company research so that they can better understand the organization. They prepare business proposals and presentations as well as identify issues to form hypotheses and solutions. Senior management consultants must also implement recommendations or solutions and ensure that an organization receives the necessary assistance to carry it all out.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that strategic consultant responsibilities requires skills like "cloud," "business strategy," "ongoing management," and "strategic plan." But a senior management consultant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "analytics," "business process," "portfolio," and "infrastructure."
Senior management consultants earn a higher average salary than strategic consultants. But senior management consultants earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $135,771. Additionally, strategic consultants earn the highest salaries in the media with average pay of $112,963 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Senior management consultants tend to reach lower levels of education than strategic consultants. In fact, they're 5.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for strategic consultants in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Brian Simmons
Associate Provost, Columbia International University
Strategic consultant vs. Program management consultant
A program management consultant is responsible for analyzing project requirements based on clients' specifications, developing quality improvement techniques, and reviewing project deliverables. Program management consultants work closely with the project team to identify project initiatives and resolve complexities that may arise. They also inspect the resources and materials to be utilized during the project and determine cost-reduction processes without compromising quality and efficiency. A program management consultant coordinates with the clients for progress updates and informs them of any plan adjustments as needed.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a strategic consultant is likely to be skilled in "strategic sourcing," "business strategy," "ongoing management," and "strategic plan," while a typical program management consultant is skilled in "customer service," "management program," "healthcare," and "scrum."
Program management consultants earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $107,612. Comparatively, strategic consultants have the highest earning potential in the media industry, with an average salary of $112,963.program management consultants typically earn lower educational levels compared to strategic consultants. Specifically, they're 8.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Strategic consultant vs. Management consultant
A management consultant's responsibility focuses on conducting an in-depth analysis of a company or business, including its target market. Through their findings, they can devise strategies that will help the business grow and attain a significant profit. There are also instances when a management consultant must solve particular issues that will require them to investigate the problem, assess damages, identify risks, and recommend the best solutions to take. Furthermore, a management consultant must adhere to the company's vision, mission, and policies at all times.
Types of strategic consultant
Updated January 8, 2025
