Tier 2 Principal in one year vs. MBB project manager now

Greetings to the WSO community.

I am currently a project manager at a Tier 2 firm (one of ATK, OW, RB, S&) and have two options to decide between:

  • Stay at my current firm, I am a quite strong performer and chances for promotion to principal in one year are ~80%
  • Accept an offer to enter a MBB firm on project manager level

What do you think? Thanks for your perspective.

 

Personally, I'd stay at your current firm. You have an established network that clearly values you if you are likely to make Principal in a year.

I'd say the differences between the tier you're currently at and MBB are marginal in terms of pay and exit opps. Is the MBB offering anything else you currently don't have at your current firm? Certain cases/subject matter, certain geographies?

I'd pose this question on r/consulting or fishbowl as well. You can get a lot of good responses.

 
Best Response

I am a project manager at an MBB.

What is your goal? What is your time horizon for consulting?

If you are leaving in MBB project manager, even worse it looks like you couldn't hack it.

If you want a bit more experience, but are leaving in ~2 years: Jump to the MBB! You will get a better brand name, a more challenging experience, probably some personal growth. You'll also get a second alumni network.

If you like the job, and might want to stay long-term to partner, then you should really consider your commercial platform at your current job and at MBB. In general, Tier-2 consulting firms have been doing less well in recent years. Do you think your firm will be strong in the timeframe you would become a partner? If so, I would take an established network and clear sponsors at a Tier-2 versus just starting out at an MBB, especially if you don't have a clear platform there.

 

Thanks a lot for your views, Grayhairs and anonymouse393.

Specific advantages of the MBB would be:

  • Better access to projects on corporate group level (I know they are/were in at a recent client of mine)
  • Stronger in top-line topics
  • Strong growth in recent years, stronger than my current employer

On the other hand, my current internal network is indeed strong. That would be my main reason to stay.

I definitely want to continue with consulting for the next ~3 years and prove myself in a Principal role. Difficult to really plan further.

 

Earum velit quis voluptas est. Aperiam hic officia laudantium quia.

Earum corrupti culpa quidem ut libero omnis molestias. At cumque delectus laborum sit voluptatum.

Quaerat a nihil laudantium dolorem. Illum ipsum quos natus pariatur est.

Non voluptatem vel eos. Debitis vel quisquam veniam quae ipsa quidem. Consequatur neque error velit rerum voluptatem nemo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • Cornerstone Research 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.7%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $368
  • Principal (25) $277
  • Director/MD (55) $270
  • Vice President (47) $246
  • Engagement Manager (100) $226
  • Manager (152) $170
  • 2nd Year Associate (158) $140
  • Senior Consultant (331) $130
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (108) $130
  • Consultant (587) $119
  • 1st Year Associate (538) $119
  • NA (15) $119
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (146) $115
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (344) $103
  • Associate Consultant (166) $98
  • 1st Year Analyst (1048) $87
  • Intern/Summer Associate (188) $84
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (552) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”