Overview
Strategy Consultants advise senior executives and boards on the highest-stakes business decisions — market entry, M&A, transformation, restructuring, growth strategy. India's strategy consulting market is dominated by McKinsey & Company India, Boston Consulting Group India, Bain & Company India, Kearney India, plus the Big 4 strategy practices (Deloitte Strategy, EY-Parthenon, PwC Strategy&, KPMG Strategy). Entry is highly competitive — IIM A/B/C/L, ISB, and select international MBA schools dominate hiring. Pay is among the highest in early-career Indian business roles. The accelerated 2-3 year stint at top strategy firms remains the most-respected credential for senior corporate moves.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Structure complex business problems into analytical frameworks; collect and synthesise data from market research, customer interviews, and financial analysis; build financial models (DCF, scenario analyses, sensitivity) and operating models; develop and stress-test strategic recommendations; prepare and deliver presentations to client executives; manage cross-functional teams of analysts and consultants; conduct primary research interviews; participate in proposal pitches for new client engagements; mentor junior team members.
Skills required
- Structured problem-solving (issue trees, MECE)
- Financial modelling in Excel / Google Sheets
- PowerPoint storytelling and visualisation
- Hypothesis-driven analysis
- Market sizing and unit economics
- Stakeholder management and executive communication
- Industry-specific deep dives (when assigned to vertical)
- Team management and people development
Education path
MBA / PGDM from a top-tier business school (IIM A/B/C/L/I, ISB, FMS, MDI, XLRI, NMIMS, JBIMS) is the standard pathway. Pre-MBA experience at investment banking, top product companies, or as analyst at strategy firms is common. International MBA from INSEAD, Wharton, Harvard, Stanford, Kellogg also feeds Indian offices. Direct entry as Analyst from undergraduate engineering at IITs is the alternative pre-MBA path (then sponsored MBA after 2-3 years).
Career progression
- 1Business Analyst / Associate Consultant (0-2 yrs)
- 2Senior Associate / Consultant (2-4 yrs)
- 3Project Lead / Manager (4-7 yrs)
- 4Principal / Senior Manager (7-10 yrs)
- 5Partner / Managing Director (10+ yrs)
Top employers in India
Useful certifications
- MBA / PGDM
- CFA Levels I-III (for finance-strategy roles)
- Six Sigma Black Belt (operations consulting)
- Project Management (PMP) for delivery roles
- McKinsey Forward / similar firm internal certifications