Consultant
Become a consultant and help companies solve their strategic challenges. Duties, skills and training at EDC Paris Business School.
What is a consultant?
Definition and main role of the consultant
A consultant is an external expert who brings their know-how and recommendations to a company or organisation to help it solve a problem, improve its performance or support a project. They may be independent or work for a consulting firm.
The main role of a consultant is to analyse a situation, identify areas for improvement and propose suitable solutions.
To do this, they begin by diagnosing the client's needs and issues, then recommend strategies, tools or methodologies to achieve the objectives set. Finally, they support the implementation of the solutions and track their impact on the organisation.
The different types of consultant
- Strategy consultant : helps companies define their vision, positioning and long-term development.
- Management and organisation consultant: optimises internal processes, improves team management and supports organisational transformations.
- Finance and audit consultant: analyses financial management, optimises costs, carries out audits and advises on investments.
- Marketing and communication consultant: develops brand strategies, improves visibility and advises on digitalisation and advertising campaigns.
- Human resources (HR) consultant: supports talent management, recruitment, training and the social climate within the company.
- IT and digital transformation consultant : puts technological solutions in place, supports the digital transition and secures information systems.
- Sustainable development and CSR consultant : helps companies to integrate responsible practices and to respond to environmental and social challenges.
- Supply chain and logistics consultant : optimises the management of flows, inventory and transport to improve efficiency and profitability.
- Innovation and transformation consultant: helps companies to integrate new practices, technologies or business models in order to stay competitive.
What are the duties of a consultant?
Analysing clients' needs and proposing solutions
Through active listening and in-depth analysis, the consultant assesses the challenges faced by their clients, whether strategic, organisational or operational. To do this, they conduct interviews, study the available data and carry out audits in order to identify areas for improvement.
On the basis of these observations, they formulate tailored recommendations, drawing on best practice in the sector and proven methodologies.
Their aim is to design effective and realistic strategies, aligned with the company's ambitions, while ensuring that they are feasible and have a positive impact on overall performance.
Supporting companies in implementing projects
Once the solutions to adopt have been defined, the consultant provides rigorous monitoring of the deployment phase, making sure that each stage is carried out in line with the objectives defined.
They coordinate internal and external teams, manage resources, and adjust schedules to cope with unforeseen events, while ensuring smooth communication between the different parties involved.
Thanks to their expertise, they help to overcome obstacles and optimise the implementation of solutions, making sure that results are achieved within the deadlines and budget. Their role is to support the company proactively, so that the project is a success and generates tangible value for the organisation.
Qualities and skills needed to be a good consultant
Technical and analytical skills
A consultant must master the tools and technologies specific to their area of expertise, whether in data analysis, project management or process optimisation.
The ability to analyse complex information, to understand the underlying dynamics and to identify trends is essential in order to propose strategic recommendations. This requires great rigour in interpreting data, using specialist software, and sometimes even building models or simulations to anticipate results.
Interpersonal skills and communication
You need to be able to build a relationship of trust, listen actively to clients' needs and concerns, and reassure them that the solutions proposed are feasible. The ability to adapt your message to different audiences, whether technical or not, is crucial to ensure a shared understanding and to convince them that the recommendations are relevant.
In addition, clear and structured communication is essential, both for writing reports and for presenting solutions in meetings or workshops.
The consultant must also know how to work in a team, bring stakeholders together around a common goal and resolve conflicts or differences diplomatically.
What are the benefits of working as a consultant?
A stimulating and varied profession
Each assignment presents unique challenges, whether helping a company to improve its performance, reorganise or prepare for new challenges. This diversity of issues allows the consultant to constantly take on new challenges, to think creatively and to apply innovative solutions.
In addition, the consultant interacts with clients from different backgrounds, which enriches their network and encourages the exchange of ideas. They must also adapt to the specificities of each company, which requires fine analytical ability and great flexibility. This versatile role, which combines strategic analysis, project management and communication, makes each assignment unique and dynamic.
The variety of environments, expectations and solutions to be implemented makes the profession of consultant a rewarding career, full of prospects for personal and professional development.
Opportunities for personal and professional development
Acquiring diverse expertise
This profession provides an in-depth understanding of different business environments, a major asset for progressing into leadership or senior project management roles.
Developing analytical and strategic skills
As assignments go by, skills are honed, allowing the consultant to take on increasingly strategic projects and to be recognised for their ability to propose high value-added solutions.
Strengthening project management and leadership skills
By supporting companies in implementing solutions, the consultant often takes charge of large-scale projects, which allows them to develop skills in project management, resource management and leadership.
Expanding your professional network
This opens doors to new professional opportunities, whether within your current company or through external opportunities.
Progression to roles with greater responsibility
These roles make it possible to supervise teams, manage relationships with strategic clients and take part in defining the direction and strategies of the consulting firm.
Personal development and interpersonal skills
The consultant must constantly hone their skills in communication, negotiation and managing interpersonal relationships. These abilities are essential, as they allow you to better understand clients' needs, negotiate solutions and handle sometimes complex situations.
Consultant: salary and career development
Average salary of a consultant by experience
Entry-level consultant (0 to 2 years of experience)
A junior consultant can expect a gross annual salary of around €30,000 to €40,000. This amount can vary according to the size of the company and the sector (prestigious consulting firms such as McKinsey or BCG offer higher salaries).
Experienced consultant (3 to 5 years of experience)
After a few years of experience, an experienced consultant generally earns between €40,000 and €60,000 gross per year. Consultants with highly specific specialisations or working in sectors in high demand can reach higher salaries.
Senior consultant (6 to 10 years of experience)
At this stage, the salary can be between €60,000 and €80,000 gross per year, or even more, depending on responsibilities. Senior consultants are often asked to supervise complex assignments and to work on strategic projects for clients.
Manager / Director (10 years or more of experience)
For a consultant who has reached a manager or director position, the gross annual salary can exceed €80,000 to €120,000, and can be even higher in large international consulting firms or for niche specialists in highly competitive sectors.
Career development prospects for a consultant
Junior Consultant
At this stage, the consultant learns the basics of the profession, carries out analyses, helps to write reports and supports more experienced consultants in managing assignments.
Experienced Consultant
After a few years of experience (around 3 to 5 years), the consultant becomes experienced. They take on more and more responsibility, manage assignments independently, and begin to supervise teams of junior consultants. They are also more involved in client relations and in designing solutions. At this stage, the consultant often specialises in a specific sector or area of expertise.
Senior Consultant
On reaching senior level (around 6 to 10 years of experience), the consultant manages more complex projects and strategic clients. They play a key role in team management, assignment supervision and business development. It is also at this level that the consultant takes part in strategic thinking for clients and can begin to develop new service offerings for the firm.
Manager / Project Manager
With around 8 to 12 years of experience, the consultant can progress to the role of manager or project manager. They supervise several consultants and projects, manage budgets, and are responsible for client satisfaction.
Engagement Director / Associate
After 12 to 15 years of experience, the consultant can move into senior management positions, such as engagement director or associate. In this role, they take charge of large-scale projects, manage larger teams, and are responsible for long-term relationships with strategic clients. The emphasis is on key account management, the firm's strategy, and sometimes the opening of new markets.
Partner or Senior Partner
This position is for consultants who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, both in managing projects and in business development. Partners are responsible for the firm's strategic direction, the management of the main business lines, decision-making at board level, and the firm's profitability.
Transition to other sectors
An experienced consultant can also choose to move into other fields, such as senior management roles in client companies, running start-ups or even setting up their own consulting firm. The skills acquired, particularly in project management, strategy and analysis, are widely transferable and highly sought after in many sectors.
What should you study to become a consultant?
Initial and specialised training to enter the profession
5-year degree (Master's or equivalent)
The majority of consultants hold a 5-year degree. Business schools and universities offer programmes that open the doors to the profession of consultant.
Specialised master's degrees: many master's degrees specialising in fields such as strategic management, finance, data analytics or project management are also common routes into consulting.
Universities also offer 5-year degree level programmes that can be adapted to different areas of consulting:
Master's in management or business administration
Master's in economics, law or applied economics
Master's in human resources management, marketing, digital marketing or data management
Certifications and continuing education to build your expertise
Professional certifications
Certifications are a way of formalising and updating your skills in specific fields. Here are some popular certifications in consulting:
- PMP (Project Management Professional): internationally recognised, this certification is essential for project management consultants.
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): highly sought after in financial consulting.
- ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library): for consultants in the IT sector, this certification provides mastery of IT service management.
- Lean Six Sigma: for consultants in process optimisation or continuous improvement, this certification is widely recognised.
- Strategic management certification: certifications such as those offered by the Strategic Management Society are useful for those who specialise in corporate strategy.