The highest level of consulting is the principal consultant. This role is responsible for overseeing the entire life cycle of a project, from internal discussions to decision-making and customer relations. The principal consultant is also expected to continue selling new work and building relationships with customers. The notion of a specialized career path often results in a two-level construction.
The lower half can be part of a consecutive career in which there is a natural progression through entry-level, intermediate and higher-level jobs. However, the top half can only be accessed based on an exceptional experience, business need, or functional responsibilities. In the case of engineering jobs, there is often a natural progression through entry-level, intermediate, and senior-level positions. As a principal consultant or senior manager, you will manage the project all phases of the project and will be responsible for the timely delivery of the project. Senior associates will oversee one aspect of a large project and will be appointed managers of smaller projects.
They will also be responsible for managing workflow results, catching up with senior leaders and communicating with their customers to see if they are on the right track. It is the principal associate who is responsible for assigning work to the team and for directing and managing the members of that team. In order to reach the highest level of consulting, it is important to have an exceptional experience in the field, as well as an understanding of business needs and functional responsibilities. It is also important to have a natural progression through entry-level, intermediate, and senior-level positions. With hard work and dedication, it is possible to reach the highest level of consulting.
