Contractor for Strategy Consulting firm (es.OW, BCG) - Middle East

What a great opportunity.

I think much of this really depends on your personal priorities/objectives and stage of life.

Especially in the Middle East you will be contracting via another firm that got you the gig (rather than direct to the company - let me know if this is different for you).

If you're someone who values:
-Full say over projects you wish to work on (You accept or you veto - no staffing team telling you that you have to)
-Higher pay rate (typically higher rate when contracting to account for benefits/vacation/risk of project flow)
-Annual flexibility (as typically you do a project and then can decide to take time off between your next one)
-A portfolio career (you can be a consultant for this project, but as you're independent you can do other things also (e.g., entrepreneurship etc.) that you would not be able to do if you were full time employed)

It can be wonderful!

If you're someone who values:
-Prestige of your employer (Like when you're full time employed with one firm)
-Low risk tolerance (No downtime in the year when you might not have a project, varying income at different points in the year)
-Promotion year over year (as one would expect at a firm - contractors stay at a similar level for a longer time period)

This might not be the ideal set up for you.

Happy to chat further about your specific context!

Hi there,

Working as a contractor for a top consulting firm (like Oliver Wyman, BCG, or similar) can be a great experience - but it’s quite different from being a full-time consultant. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Pros

• You’ll still get exposure to high-impact projects and top-tier clients.
• It’s a good way to build brand credibility and regional experience (especially in the Middle East).
• You often have more flexibility with hours and duration of contracts.

Cons 

• No job security — contracts can end early depending on project needs.
• No benefits (visa sponsorship, bonuses, healthcare, or training programs).
• Limited involvement in internal activities like staffing, mentorship, or performance reviews.
• You may not get the same access to internal tools or proprietary frameworks as full-timers.

That said, many people use contract roles as a foot in the door — performing well can lead to a permanent offer. Just make sure your contract clearly specifies duration, rate, scope, and renewal terms before accepting.

Best,
Evelina

What kind of a role is it? 

Basically the consulting firm contracts you to work as a resource on their projects and they pay you on a time basis (e.g. daily/monthly rate). You will not have access to employee benefits such as insurance, annual leave, and you will likely also not participate in affiliation events (e.g. offsites). 

If you are coming in for a consulting team role - typically the rates are quite decent. Can be attractive if you don't mind the contractor lifestyle. But you will not be building up the same branding/prestige and even arguably skills as a full time employee.

From the project perspective, works just like being another consultant at the firm.

Of course, expectation on performance is just as high (if not higher... they will tolerate an internal low performer for a few months... but will not tolerate an external low performers for that long). 

You don't get the non-project part: no training (unless project related), no year-end review, etc. Lighter feedback sessions and less investment on training on the job, as you are expected to know how to perform the work already. 

And of course, when the project ends, they don't have to staff you on another team (but may happen if they still lack capacity and you have a good performance).

Hi there, 

Yes, I worked with contactors while in McK. 

Some of them then ended up joining the firm, so that's definitely a plus if you're considering that. 

What's important to know is that these firms also deliver but also demand a high level of professionalism. So the expectations and the standard will be high, be ready for that. 

Otherwise, make sure that you are clear on the criteria of the contract and what your scope of work will be. 

Best,
Cristian

Hey there :)

that can actually be a great opportunity, especially if you’re looking to get exposure without a long-term commitment. Just make sure you check who your actual contract is with (sometimes it’s through a third-party staffing agency) and clarify benefits, pay structure, and confidentiality terms. The work itself is usually similar to being a regular consultant, but with less stability and fewer perks.

best,
Alessa :)