Expectations on the role 'project leader' at BCG

Hi,

Project Leader is the manager role at BCG. 

It is arguably the hardest role in consulting. Essentially you are ‘point man’ responsible for the successful delivery of the project which is a function of 3 things:

1. Managing your consultants (and other internal resources)
2. Managing the client
3. Manging the MDPs (equity partners)

Each of the above has their own challenges and are often in conflict/tension with the other 2. There's a ton of things involved in being a good PL, happy to share my thoughts to whoever is interested - just drop me a dm.

Hi Anonymous,

Sidi already provided a very good explanation of the different roles in MBB. In terms of the Project Leader position specifically, a PL is a manager responsible for leading a team of Associates and Consultants, interacting directly with the partner responsible for the project. Some good skills a Project Leader should have include ability to:

• lead the team in the project and delegate activities
• interact effectively with the client
• interact with the partner of the project
• define the project roadmap, review deliverables and solve team issues

Best,

Francesco

Hi!

Have a look at the below short explanation of every generic role in MBB firms, including BCG Project Leader.

Level I

McKinsey – Business Analyst (BA)

BCG – “Associate”

Bain – “Associate Consultant” (AC)

Description: First two years out of undergraduate degree.

Level II

McKinsey – “Associate” (ASC)

BCG – “Consultant”

Bain – “Consultant”

Description: first post graduate school role (but with roughly 10–30% as direct promotes from Level I across firms).

Level II b

McKinsey – “Junior Engagement Manager” (JEM)

BCG – “Senior Consultant” / ”Acting PL”

Bain – “Case Team Leader” (CTL)

Description: third year after grad school and bridge to Project Manager role. Not a “formal” promotion at the firms, but definitely a precursor for promotion/designation.

Level III

McKinsey – “Engagement Manager” (EM)

BCG – “Project Leader” (PL)

Bain – “Manager”

Description: 3–7 years after grad school and responsible for day-to-day oversight of teams and main contact for client project leader. This is a formal promotion and a significant career turning point at either firm. Reaching Level III sort of proves full mastery of the general consulting toolkit in MBB quality, including day-in-day-out team management and operational client management.

Level IV

McKinsey – “Associate Partner” (EM)

BCG – “Principal” (PL)

Bain – “Principal/Senior Manager”

Description: after 2–4 years as a Project Manager (Level III), signals greater focus on relationship management and commercial skills. Time is split across several teams to give content and context guidance. Partner case is built.

Level V

McKinsey – “Partner”

BCG – “Partner”

Bain – “Partner”

Description: on average 6–8 years after grad school. Highly engineered, formal promotion process involving a committee decision with broad spectrum of Partners from multiple global offices with stringent interviews and performance documentation process.

Level VI

McKinsey – “Senior Partner/Director”

BCG – “Senior Partner”

Bain – “Senior Partner”

Description: effectively, Partners with tenure. Exact mechanics are a little vague, but generally Partners with 4+ years experience in the role with a consistent track record of client impact, commercial success, and meaningful IP development.