2011 Operations Consulting Rates
Professional Qualifications by Labor CategoryMonadnock Research has established a consulting firm professional labor category taxonomy that we use for grouping rates of firms for research, consolidation, statistical analysis, and reporting. We detail here the qualifications related to skills, experience, and education associated with these consulting labor categories. There are a total of 15 categories across the high-level domains of Principal, Director, Manager, Consultant, Analyst, and Support Staff.
The sections below provide details on each individual rate category. There is some variation of category by practice area, and by research sample. In this report we found substantive variations for all professional categories, so each category presented in this section is included in the analysis and study findings presented in this report. The only exception was in the Operations Rates by Firm Specialization section, where a limited number of rate categories were consolidated. Officer
Officers are the firm's most senior-level corporate representatives. Professionals in this category typically have a PhD, MBA, CPA, JD, or another advanced degree or certification. Relevant work experience is generally from 20 to 25 years or more.
These executives typically interface with senior client executives and are involved with strategic issues and on business development, but usually do not have daily or weekly client interaction. Many large firms do not quote rates for professionals at this level, but small firms do. On rare occasions, some of a firm's highest-level experts are also categorized here.
Typical titles include: Global Practice Leader, Senior Partner, Senior Principal, CEO, President, COO, Managing Director, Managing Partner, Managing Principal, or Country Leader.
Principal
Principals are high-level firm executives that are responsible for the overall direction and management oversight of client relationships and project outcomes. Professionals in this category typically have a PhD, MBA, CPA, JD, or another advanced degree or certification. Relevant work experience is generally more than 15 years.
The final approval of Principals is typically required on all major commitments of a firm's corporate resources. They devote significant time to business development and do not work on a single project exclusively. Professionals in this category interface with client executives on specific business issues and on business development, and often have overall engagement responsibility, but not on a daily basis. Occasionally, some of a firm's highest-level experts are also categorized here.
Typical titles include: Partner, Principal, Senior VP, or Executive VP, Executive Director.
Associate Principal
Associate Principals are firm management or senior functional or technical experts responsible for overall direction and management oversight of project operations, client relationships, and best practices. Professionals in this category typically have a PhD, MBA, CPA, JD, or another advanced degree or certification. Relevant work experience is generally over 14 years.
At private firms these executives may or may not be full equity partners; but if not, they are on the partnership track. They often have the authority to make decisions for the firm and to commit its resources. They devote time to business development and rarely work on a single project exclusively. Associate Principals may work in project leadership roles, or they may be a senior expert in a specific practice discipline. Professionals in this category interface with client executives on specific business issues and on business development, and they may have overall engagement responsibility, but not on a daily basis.
Typical titles include: Associate Partner, Associate Principal, Vice President.
Senior Director
Senior Directors are seasoned leaders that may be responsible for all phases, activities, staffing, and outcomes of a project, including budget management and staffing, or for a specific functional or technical area on a large project. Professionals in this category typically have a PhD, MBA, CPA, JD, or another advanced degree or certification. Relevant work experience is more than 13 years.
Professionals at this level are being groomed to become a partner, or are senior level career technical or management professionals. They offer assistance in business development, and are usually involved in multiple projects simultaneously. They have among the most developed skills in a particular practice area or industry, and are often widely published in that area. These professionals interact with client staff on a weekly or monthly basis, manage some senior-level client interactions, and are the program manager for a specific domain across multiple projects and thought leadership areas.
Typical titles include: Senior Director, Senior Executive Consultant, Senior Advisor, Senior Subject Matter Expert, Senior Managing Consultant, or another title denoting a high-level subject matter expertise.
Director
Directors are seasoned leaders that may be responsible for all phases, activities, staffing, and outcomes of a project, including budget management and staffing, or for a specific functional or technical area on a large project. Professionals in this category usually have a Ph.D., M.B.A. or another advanced degree or certification. Relevant work experience is more than 12 years.
Professionals at this level are being groomed to become a partner, or are senior level career technical or highly specialized professionals. They offer assistance in business development, and are usually involved in multiple projects simultaneously. They usually have among the most developed skills in a particular practice area or industry, and are often widely published in that area. These professionals interact with client staff on a weekly or monthly basis, manage some senior-level client interactions, and are the program manager for a specific domain across multiple projects and thought leadership areas.
Typical titles include: Director, Executive Consultant, Senior Program Manager, Advisor, Subject Matter Expert, Managing Consultant.
Senior Manager
Senior managers are responsible for all phases, activities, staffing, and outcomes of a project, including budget management and staffing. Professionals in this category have a B.S. or B.A. and usually have an M.B.A. or other advanced degree. Relevant work experience is over 10 years.
Professionals at this level are being assessed for their abilities to become a director or principal, or are building skills to become a senior level career technical or management professional. They are minimally involved in business development, but spend a great deal of time developing an understanding of project detail. They are usually not involved in multiple projects simultaneously. They are developing skills in a particular practice area or industry, and may be working with a more senior staffer to get published in that area. These professionals interact with client staff on a daily basis, manage overall client interactions, and are the senior-most project leader and the primary interface with firm management about a particular project.
Typical titles include: Senior Manager, Program Manager, Senior Project Leader, Senior Team Leader, Senior Principal Consultant.
Manager
Managers are responsible for all phases, activities, staffing, and outcomes of a small-to mid-sized project, including budget management and staffing. Professionals in this category have a B.S. or B.A. and usually have an advanced degree. Relevant work experience is over 8 years.
Professionals at this level are being assessed for their abilities to become a director or principal, or are building skills to become a senior level career technical or management professional. They are minimally involved in business development, but spend a great deal of time developing an understanding of project detail. They are usually not involved in multiple projects simultaneously. They are developing skills in a particular practice area or industry, and may be working with a more senior staffer to get published in that area. These professionals interact with client staff on a daily basis, manage overall client interactions, and are the senior-most project leader and the primary interface with firm management about a particular project.
Typical titles include: Manager, Project Manager, Project Leader, Team Leader, Senior Task Lead, Principal Consultant.
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultants have fully developed functional or technical skills and have expertise in both general and specialized topics to provide expertise that is crucial to project success. Professionals in this category usually have a graduate degree, or a B.S. with significant work experience. Relevant work experience is over 7 years.
They assist project managers and have some supervisory responsibilities for Consultants, Associate Consultants, Analysts and support staff. Professionals at this level are being assessed for their abilities to become a Manager and are building their leadership and skills in a specific discipline. They are not typically involved in business development, and spend their time delivering project phases according to plan and budget. They are usually not involved in multiple projects simultaneously. They are developing skills in a particular practice area or industry, and may be working with a more senior staffer to get published in that area. These professionals interact with client staff on a daily basis.
Typical titles include: Senior Consultant, Senior, Senior Associate, Senior Management Consultant, Task Leader.
Consultant
Consultants are experienced professionals whose technical skills and expertise in both general and specialized topics are developed, and are fully productive on the project tasks they are assigned. Professionals in this category usually have a graduate degree, or a B.S. with significant work experience. Relevant work experience is 5 or more years.
They assist Sr. Consultants and project managers and may have supervisory responsibilities for Associate Consultants, Analysts and support staff. Professionals at this level are being assessed for their abilities to become a Sr. Consultant or Manager and are building their leadership and skills in a specific discipline. They are not typically involved in business development, and spend their time delivering project phases according to plan and budget.
They are usually not involved in multiple projects simultaneously. They are developing skills in a particular practice area or industry. These professionals interact with client staff on a daily basis.
Typical titles include: Consultant, Consulting Associate, Management Consultant.
Associate Consultant
Associate Consultants are entry-level staff professionals whose technical skills and expertise in both general and specialized topics are being developed. Professionals in this category are usually recent graduates from an M.B.A. or other advanced or undergraduate degree program. Relevant work experience is more than 2 years.
They assist Sr. Consultants and project managers and do not have supervisory responsibilities. Professionals at this level are being trained to become a Consultant and are building their skills in a specific discipline. They are not involved in business development, and spend their time in training and on developing consulting skills and practice area expertise. They are usually not involved in multiple projects simultaneously. These professionals usually work on the client site, but do not interact with client staff on a daily basis.
Typical titles include: Associate Consultant, Associate Management Consultant.
Senior Analyst
Senior Analysts are experienced professionals with focused technical skills and expertise in both general and specialized topics. Professionals in this category usually have a B.S. degree with specialized work experience. Work experience is 7 or more years.
These professionals often do not work on the client site, but support client engagements. Requires limited supervision once direction is provided.
Typical titles include: Senior Analyst, Senior Business Analyst, Senior Researcher, Senior Knowledge Manager.
Analyst
Analysts are experienced professionals possessing developed skills and expertise in general and specialized topics. Professionals in this category usually have a B.S. degree with additional specialized work experience. Work experience is 5 or more years.
These professionals rarely work on the client site, but support client engagements. Requires some supervision by Consultants or Senior Analysts. This is generally a separate track from consulting, but not in Financial Advisory, for example, where is it reserved for less experienced staff that will progress to higher levels.
Typical titles include: Analyst, Business Analyst, Researcher, Knowledge Manager.
Associate Analyst
Associate Analysts are entry-level professionals with developing technical skills and expertise in both general and specialized topics. Professionals in this category are usually recent college graduates with a B.S. or B.A. degree and little relevant work experience.
These professionals do not work on the client site, but support client engagements under the direct supervision of Analysts.
Typical titles include: Associate Analyst, Associate Business Analyst, Associate Researcher, Associate Knowledge Manager
Senior Support Staff
Senior support staff whose skills are individuals with expertise in both general and specialized topics that is highly developed. Professionals in this category usually have a high school degree and may have a B.S. or Associates degree. Work experience is 5 or more years.
Requires limited supervision once direction is provided by Analysts or Consultants. Client interaction is limited to scheduling and coordinating.
Typical titles include: Senior Administrator, Senior Executive Assistant, Senior Administrative Assistant, Senior Administrative Support, Senior Data Entry Clerk, Senior Client Support Staff, Senior Engagement Support Staff.
Support Staff
Senior support staff whose skills are individuals with expertise in both general and specialized topics that is highly developed. Professionals in this category usually have a high school degree and may have a B.S. or Associates degree. Work experience is 5 or more years.
Requires limited supervision once direction is provided by Analysts or Consultants. Client interaction is limited to scheduling and coordinating. Typical titles include: Senior Administrator, Senior Executive Assistant, Senior Administrative Assistant, Senior Administrative Support, Senior Data Entry Clerk, Senior Client Support Staff, Senior Engagement Support Staff.
Typical titles include: Administrator, Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Support, Data Entry Clerk, Client Support Staff, Engagement Support Staff.
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