Tier 2 Companies in the middle east

Question

Hello,

I need insights to help me make my decision regarding offers I received in Dubai for Strategy&, and ATK. Im currently at a great national company, and considering a move.

In the Middle East, I heard that the market is quite competitive between 3-5 companies (McK, S&, ATK, BCG and Booze).

Given this info, and the middle east specifics, I would like to know what expect to have in: work experience, exposure (types of problems and network) and status ? Both in general terms, and relative to MBB. Those are the detrimental elements in my decision.

Thanks

Answer 1

HI,
Consulting in Middle East can be quite different from other geographies.
Basically customer have more budget allocated to consulting.
- The topics can be unique since there is a lot to do, and can offer development issues while other geographie will tend to offer more organisation/cost cutting issues.
On the other hand some customer basically pay consulting to do the day to day job that some of their employees are not doing.

- The work life balance : you have to be aware that Middle east is know for being tough in terms of work life balance, with a culture of long hours and short / busy week ends

- the salary : extremely rewarding compared to other geographie. If you compare same position in Europe, with the premium on the salary and the difference on taxes you can increase your salary by 1.5-2x

Hope this helps
Best

Benjamin

Answer 2

Worth to mention, the salaries offered are very competitive when compared to MBB as well. Does this indicate anything regarding the quality/experience ?

Answer 3

Dear A,

You will have a great variety of interesting projects, because truly emerging market and the government spending enourmous sums of money for the development projects. In particular 70% of projects are coming from KSA, where th government launched complete moderniztion of the country state. So many projects ar assosiated to the government.

Further, it's traditionally many assignments in Oil&Gas indusry as well as Transportation and Infrustructure. There are also some governmental run PE funds and financial services combined with telecommunication sector and consruction. This is a quick overview of the industry.

Middle East is able to attract top-talents due to the extremely high salaries and tax free. But the on the other hand the price is also very high, so you will truly pay with your health, but this is just a game over a time.

Also there is no balance between work and life while when you became promoted and work on the management and higher position - it's extremely common that you work 1 day plus out of your weekends. So it becomes 6-day working week.

Nevertheless, you can expand and learn very quickly and build tremendously fast career.

About the consulting companies and their market prospective I have explained in every detail here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-are-the-consulting-career-opportunities-in-the-middle-east-dubai-qatar-and-kse-5924

If you need any further help or insights from ME consulting, feel free to reach out.

Best,
André