How is Oliver Wyman?

Hi, I am an incoming consultant at Oliver Wyman, I was wondering what practices are strong at OW for exits besides financial services. Any tips on how to succeed at the firm without being counselled out? Also how is Oliver Wyman doing (are they doing well or struggling?) and is it a reputable firm to prospective employers? This is for US offices

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Oliver Wyman is a highly reputable consulting firm, often considered the fourth most prestigious after MBB (McKinsey, Bain, and BCG). While it is smaller than MBB, it is not a boutique firm and is known for its strong presence in Financial Services and, to a lesser extent, Healthcare. Beyond financial services, Oliver Wyman has diverse exit opportunities, including FANG tech companies and roles in middle-market private equity (MM PE), making it a solid choice for career growth.

Tips to Succeed at Oliver Wyman:

  1. Master Core Skills: Excel, PowerPoint, and client management are critical. High performers excel in all three by the end of their first year. If you’re weak in any area, proactively seek help from colleagues or mentors.
  2. Seek Feedback Regularly: Set up biweekly feedback sessions with your Engagement Manager (EM). This helps you stay on track and address improvement areas early. Consistently receiving the same feedback without improvement can lead to being counseled out.
  3. Leverage Your Strengths: Identify what you’re naturally good at (e.g., Excel, client-facing skills) and showcase those strengths in high-visibility situations, such as client meetings or internal presentations.
  4. Build Relationships: Foster a motivated and collaborative team environment. Being approachable and supportive can enhance your reputation within the firm.

Reputation and Performance:

Oliver Wyman is performing well, with 97.2% overall employee satisfaction and 97.7% professional growth opportunities as of September 2023. Compensation is competitive, and the firm is known for its tough hours but rewarding culture. It is prestigious and highly regarded by prospective employers, making it a strong platform for future career moves.

In summary, Oliver Wyman is a reputable firm with strong exit opportunities, particularly in financial services and tech. To thrive, focus on mastering core skills, seeking feedback, and leveraging your strengths.

Sources: 5 years ago, I was fired from Oliver Wyman. This is what I learned from it., 5 years ago, I was fired from Oliver Wyman. This is what I learned from it., Oliver Wyman Reputation, Should I move from Oliver Wyman to BCG?, Capital One or Oliver Wyman

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I was there almost a decade ago, loved it... worked for two great partners, had friends from my start class at my wedding, set me up for a good job in PE after and a top business school. Definitely reputable, you'll get some eyebrows long term for not having the MBB pedigree, but c'est la vie. Don't worry so much about it, it's a big firm, try to find some growing practice areas (you can ask your staffer or partners what service lines are fastest growth, that's fine) and ride the wave until you decide you're good.

 
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Overall, I view OW as the best of the T2. Incredibly strong in FS, as you know, with capabilities and areas of expertise far ahead of any other consulting firm. They are also doing quite well in the Middle East, despite the market slowing down these last few years.

They acquired Avascent a few years ago, which was a strong A&D-focused boutique consultancy. I'm not sure how that acquisition has played out, but I would imagine that has been a growth area over the last few years. I know they are also trying to grow more in the PE advisory space , but the MBBs and a few other T2s like LEK are still better positioned than them here.   

 

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Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.5%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.0%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (111) $232
  • Manager (167) $172
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (115) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (635) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (162) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (575) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (175) $100
  • 1st Year Analyst (1151) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (205) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (625) $67
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