Bcg riyadh

Hi!

I wrote at length about work life balance in the following article if you'd like to know more:

• Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

But the gist of it is the following:

• In consulting, it's good to expect a 9am-9pm schedule. On some projects you'll work longer than that. On a few you'll work past midnight. On very few you'll leave the client site at the same time as the client and have the rest of the day off.
• You develop more agency as you get more tenure. Meaning, you learn how to better handle the work volume and those that generate it to focus on what matters and avoid overwork.
• Looking at work life balance on a an office by office basis makes limited sense since in MBB the projects tend to be cross-office (almost always) so the lifestlye on a project always ends up being influenced by the the Partners on that project and who the client is (rather than the office where you come from). 

Best,
Cristian

Hey there :)

The BCG Riyadh office is known to be one of the more intense ones in the Middle East region. Hours are typically longer than in Dubai or Doha, and weekend work can happen more often, mainly because of demanding local clients and tight project timelines. You can expect an average of around 70–80 hours a week during busy periods, though this varies by case and manager.

That said, the learning curve is steep and exposure is excellent, especially with government transformation projects under Saudi Vision 2030. Exit options tend to be strong, both into top-tier public sector roles and into strategy or investment positions in Saudi corporates and funds.

Compared to Dubai, Riyadh has less of an expat lifestyle and fewer cross-office projects, but the compensation is usually higher to reflect the intensity. Doha sits somewhere in between, with a smaller, slightly more balanced setup.

If you’d like, I can share what to emphasize in your application to make it stand out for this office.

best, Alessa :)

Hi, the BCG Middle East offices work together as a system. Even when staffed with the Dubai office, you will likely travel to Saudi or Qatar for work more often than not. Given the high-profile nature of the work and engagement with senior leaders and public officials, the work is demanding but can be meaningful if you identify your 'why' for being at the firm. In terms of exit options, the firm itself posts several job postings for its people, both internally within different parts of BCG as well as in its wider network. Consulting is a top career choice for attractive exist options in the region into either the public sector or within well-known private companies

Hi there,

BCG Riyadh is one of the firm’s fastest-growing offices — great exposure, but demanding. Most projects are tied to Vision 2030 public-sector work, which means fast-paced clients and tight timelines.

Hours: typically 60–70 per week, with intensity varying by project. Client-site work in Riyadh is common, so responsiveness expectations are high.

Compared to other offices:

• Dubai offers more private-sector variety and slightly better balance
• Doha is smaller and steadier but with fewer opportunities
• Riyadh gives the steepest learning curve and visibility with top-tier clients

Exits: strong into public entities, sovereign funds (like PIF), corporates, and tech/venture roles.

In short, Riyadh offers excellent career acceleration but comes with a demanding workload.

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out!

Best,
Evelina