FAQ
Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
- What consulting issues does Roland Berger Strategy Consultants focus on?
As strategy consultants, we provide consulting services to top managers of industry and service enterprises in all issues of business management - from strategic orientation and restructuring to introducing new organizational structures and business processes. We have also dealt extensively with the strategic implications of information technology since 1992. Multimedia and e-commerce projects are a focal point of our consulting work. Our Competence Center structure mirrors our extensive functional and industry expertise. - What are the main competence areas of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants?
Our expertise covers all the relevant issues of corporate governance such as restructuring, strategy elaboration, marketing and sales, operations and finance, organization and human resource management. We support our clients in all economy sectors including metallurgy, engineering, energy, consumer goods and retail, transportation and tourism, telecommunications, financial services and other industries. - What is strategy consulting?
Strategy consulting implies supporting company's management in the issues of long-term planning of organizational development. In terms of our projects we may deal with issues of business growth such as company's and its departments' goals, objectives and strategy, marketing and sales, new product development and new market entry, e-commerce, as well as topics of cost-cutting and efficiency increase - business processes reengineering, restructuring, organizational structure optimization, etc. - Who are Roland Berger's clients?
Our clients in Kyiv as well as other offices include international corporations, ambitious local players as well as public institutions and nonprofit organizations. - How does organizational structure of your company look like?
Our company is an independent partnership exclusively owned by about 180 Partners. Our Executive Committee (EC), which manages the firm's global activities, comprises five members. Our Supervisory Board also has five members. - In which countries does your company operate?
With 36 offices in 25 countries of Europe, Asia, Nothern and Latin Americas and Nothern Africa, the company has successful operations in all major international markets. In 2008, it generated more than EUR 670 million in revenues with 2,100 employees. - For how long has the company been active in Ukraine?
We realized our first projects in privatization and restructuring in 1992 and opened our Ukrainian office in 1993. - How many females do you employ?
This number varies from office to office, and from one Competence Center to the next. The average female employment rate among our consultants is 17%; in some Competence Centers, this figure is as high as 30%. As far as our Services are concerned, the ratio is quite different: approx. 70% of our Services staff worldwide is female. - What is the difference between you and other consultancies?
Roland Berger Strategy Consultants is one of the largest strategy consultancies in the world. We offer our clients individual approaches and deliver customized concepts. At Roland Berger, you will find flexible structures and lots of room to maneuver. We want your entrepreneurial spirit. This focus was cultivated by the company's founder, who is still active in the company today. - What are the key values of the company?
The three core values – excellence, entrepreneurship and partnership – serve as the base for our success and shape everything we think and do.
Excellence: Excellence is an imperative for each of our consultants. Strict quality control during and after every project ensures that all our deliverables meet the same standard of excellence. We are not satisfied until our clients are satisfied.
Entrepreneurship: To us, entrepreneurship is primarily about business success – and about the willingness to assume responsibility in order to achieve it. That means working independently, taking risks, exploring unconventional ideas. Only then can we add exceptional value for our clients. This entrepreneurial mindset is part of Roland Berger's corporate DNA. It has been there ever since the company's founding.
Partnership: Seeing our clients succeed means everything to us. We pour all our energy into realizing this one goal. This demands absolute professionalism, loyalty and openness. Accordingly, we create an atmosphere and spirit of mutual trust and constructive dialog. We see our clients and consultants as a joint team. That is why partnership is one of our core values.
Working at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
- What can I expect in my first few months as consultant?
You will start off with a two-week Kick-Off event at a select European location. At this event, you will learn about the internal infrastructure that is designed to support you in your future consulting work with us: our Services. Most importantly, you will learn about our company culture and our methodologies at the Kick-Off, and you will be trained in key consulting issues. Finally, you will establish an international Berger network that will be of great value to you in your job. However, the learning process does not stop when the Kick-Off ends. You will be assigned to a project, where you will begin your on-the-job training. - Will I have an opportunity to work abroad as a consultant?
Two thirds of our projects are conducted across national borders and are staffed through our Central Staffing service with people from our international Competence Centers, so your chances of working on projects in other countries are excellent. Furthermore, our international staff exchange program offers you the opportunity to work in one of our international offices for twelve months or more within the context of an international assignment. - Can I take a time-out at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants?
As a consultant, after you have been with the company for about two years, you and your mentor can negotiate a sabbatical. Besides, undoubtedly, we always try to support our employees by providing a flexible working schedule.
We do not have a specific program in place for our Services. However, you will find that your mentor will be happy to reward your hard work by helping you find an individual solution for any request you may have. - How do you evaluate performance?
Consultant performance is evaluated regularly in order to ensure consistency and objectivity. Upon completion of each project, we carry out a project evaluation, which also includes a "bottom-up" assessment of the Project Manager. In addition, we have semi-annual company-wide evaluations to assess your performance. At the end of each year, you and your mentor will agree on objectives for the following year, and coordinate your personal development measures. - How do you handle career and personal development?
As a consultant, you will regularly discuss your individual career development plans with your mentor. These discussions cover the focus of future projects, possibilities for enrollment in an MBA or Ph.D. program, and the seminars you need to attend, as well as any other issues you may wish to address. Our comprehensive seminar program provides the foundation on which you can further develop your personal and professional skills. For example, we offer seminars that focus on strategy, organization, financial analysis, and interpersonal skill development and communication. These seminars are presented by our own consultant trainers or by highly qualified external experts (e.g. from INSEAD). The seminars are attended by consultants from around the globe, and thus also present a great networking opportunity. Career development for our Services staff does not involve such a clearly structured hierarchy as that for our consultants - but it is equally important. As a member of our Services, you will discuss with your mentor at least once each year what your next career step could be, additional responsibilities, new tasks, seminars you should attend, etc. - Is it allowed to consultants to choose the project to participate?
Consultant's personal preference is an important, but it is not the only factor of forming a project team – we also need to consider correspondence of consultant skills to the project topic and client's requirement as well as general occupancy of our team. - Do consultants specialize in an industry or a functional issue?
Usually, specialization is not necessary in the beginning of your career path at Roland Berger. While working in our company, consultants get specialization depending on project experience and personal preferences. - What are the usual working hours for consultants?
One thing is certain: strategy consulting is very work-intensive. Nevertheless, we know that you cannot work creatively and efficiently for an unlimited period of time, and our projects are organized accordingly. As a result, our consultants typically find that an average of 55 hours per week allows them to deliver "creative strategies that work". Weekend work is not on the agenda, and exceptions are very rare. - How would you describe a typical day for strategy consultant?
Regardless of position occupied, consultant's daily work is hardly a routine. Although consultants usually face a number of typical tasks such as desk research and conducting interviews, analysis and synthesis of information and actually developing recommendations, working on these tasks is always project specific. Every new project brings the new challenges, providing an opportunity to obtain new skills and knowledge. Tasks fulfilled by consultants both independent work as well as communication with client and project team.
Recruiting process
- What requirements must I fulfill?
To become a consultant with us, you must have good analytical and conceptual abilities, creativity, team spirit, and strong communication skills. Your university major is of secondary importance only, but your scores should be well above average. Initial work experience and international exposure are further requirements. We are especially on the lookout for people who are at ease in a challenging international and entrepreneurial environment. There is thus no single ideal profile. - Do I need a business degree to start a consulting career?
The answer is a clear NO. About 50% of our consultants hold a degree in a field other than business. They often find that their different approach helps our project teams deliver creative ideas and viable solutions. Of course, all consultants need to have a certain understanding of basic business principles. We thus provide our colleagues from non-business backgrounds with special training via business seminars. - Are there any particular application deadlines?
We accept applications year round for consultant positions. However, there may be deadlines for Interns, entry-level positions for recent graduates, and MBA candidates. Please not that the lead time may take a few months. -
How do I apply?
Send your application to our office either by e–mail to
or by post to
Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
vul. Shovkovychna 42/44
01601 Kyiv
Ukraine - What is the application procedure?
If you meet our requirements, we will invite you to an interview, which will also include work on a case study. If you are suited for our team, more interviews will follow, including those with management. -
May I apply to other offices of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants?
Sure. Information on your international career opportunities in our company is available on our
international website. - How should my application look like?
In a brief letter, tell us why you are a good candidate for Roland Berger Strategy Consultants and, in particular, the Kyiv office. Please send us your CV with a current photo. For all given references, please include letters of reference or some other form of confirmation. - What consulting career options are open to me with my current level of education?
If you have not yet completed your university studies, you can get to know us by joining us as an Intern. Upon completion of your studies, you may be offered a position as a Junior Consultant. If you have already obtained a Ph.D. degree, you may be able to join our firm at the Consultant level. If you are currently working on an MBA degree, you can participate in our Summer Associate program. Upon completion of your MBA degree at a top-notch business school, we may offer you a position as a Senior Consultant or even Project Manager. Of course, we also hire non-MBAs as Senior Consultants and Project Managers, provided they have several years of relevant consulting or industry experience.