[Hiring] Associate Consultant - K-12 Education @Cicero Group

Role Description

This position is part of a pilot career pathway model designed to provide new Associate Consultants with a passion for education and eagerness to gain exposure to broader management consulting with focused, foundational training and broad exposure to multiple practice areas across the firm.

• Year 1 - K-12 Foundation:
  • Part of the Management Consulting Center of Excellence (CoE).
  • Receive training and professional development opportunities.
  • Specialize in K-12 projects to build deep expertise in education consulting.
  • Participate in CoE-wide training, professional development, and community.
  • Develop skills in a mission-driven, project-rich environment with strong coaching and mentorship.
• Year 2+ - CoE Exposure & Specialization:
  • Opportunity to cycle onto a wider set of projects across practice areas.
  • Broaden consulting experience and deepen business acumen.
  • Explore potential areas of specialization.

As an Associate Consultant, you will be deeply involved in every aspect of the consulting process — leading project teams, engaging directly with clients, and driving strategic recommendations. This is a great pathway for former educators and administrators looking to move into management consulting.

• Lead small teams of consultants and analysts in research, analysis, and synthesis of findings that define our strategic recommendations.
• Work closely with Engagement Managers and senior leaders to guide teams through complex projects.
• Plan, execute, and adapt projects in dynamic environments.
• Engage directly with clients and partners to understand their needs and build strong relationships.
• Conduct and oversee both qualitative and quantitative analyses.
• Communicate efficiently and effectively — both in writing and verbally.
• Manage and mentor consultants and analysts.
• Support and manage work plans, project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Develop knowledge of partner issues, needs, and context.
• Manage diverse and impactful internal initiatives.
• Make frequent use of Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Google Sheets, and other project management tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, with a strong academic background.
• 3–7 years of full-time, post-graduate professional experience required.
• 2+ years of experience managing and leading people.
• Demonstrated track record of exceeding goals and delivering high-quality work.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to think independently while collaborating with teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Commitment to organizational mission and fostering a culture of inclusion.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity comfortably and think strategically.
• Ability to connect with people both on an individual level and in groups.
• A sense of humor and ability to work in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to travel depending on client needs.

Requirements

• Advanced graduate degree (MBA, MPA, MPP, etc.) preferred but not required.
• Experience in management/strategy consulting, education, public sector, nonprofits, or similar environments.
• Experience with data analysis, financial modeling, or market research.
• Familiarity with data visualization and presentation best practices.
• Experience with R, Python, or other data analysis tools/applications.
• A passion for education and improving outcomes for students in underserved communities.
• Exceptional ambition and leadership skills in academic, professional, or extracurricular settings.

Skills That Will Help You Succeed

• Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving.
• Data analysis, visualization, and interpretation.
• Professional communication and storytelling.
• Project planning and time management.
• People management and team leadership.
• Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork.
• Attention to detail and quality control.
• Focus group facilitation and in-depth interviews.
• Survey creation, fielding, and analysis.
• Secondary research.
• Proposal writing.

Additional Information

NOTE: We currently do not accept candidates that require sponsorship, nor are we able to provide sponsorship opportunities to candidates.