Management consultant
Help businesses and organisations solve problems, improve efficiency and make changes to the way they work.
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£519
Entry level
£1,154
Experienced
Monthly
£2,250
Entry level
£5,000
Experienced
Yearly
£27,000
Entry level
£60,000
Experienced
13,500
people are currently employed
High growth
800 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's 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.
Hours
Environment
Travel
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- analysing
- taking initiative
- empathising
- researching
- questioning
- problem solving
- written communication
- verbal communication
- listening
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Business Management
Economics
Psychology
Foundation Apprenticeship: Business Skills
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
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.
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.
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