Thinking about launching your career in consulting? The consulting industry offers exciting opportunities to work on high-impact challenges, and Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic markets in the world. The Kingdom’s consulting market is booming – now the largest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional alliance of six Middle Eastern countries. This rapid growth is fueled by Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national plan to diversify its economy and modernize key sectors like energy, tourism, and technology.
To meet the growing demand for expert guidance, a wide range of consulting firms are stepping in. From global giants like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain to the Big Four, rising challengers, and specialized botiques – in this guide, we’ll walk you through the top consulting firms in Saudi Arabia and show you what makes each of them stand out.
The Kingdom's consulting boom rests on four key pillars:
1. Scale:
Vision 2030 funds megaprojects such as:
2. Diversification:
While energy remains vital, the focus has expanded. It now covers renewables, hydrogen, banking, fintech, and technology-driven sectors.
3. Regulation:
March 2024 saw the implementation of a 40% Saudization quota. The government now requires firms to hire and train nationals. This regulation expands local talent pipelines in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar.
Government ministries target full e-government status by the end of the decade. Private companies have been following the government's lead and heavily investing in cloud and AI solutions.
Riyadh is the consulting hub of the Kingdom. Most firms set up their regional or national headquarters there. Jeddah and the Eastern Province, especially Al Khobar, are secondary business centers.
McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain & Company form the legendary “MBB” trio. In Saudi Arabia, they lead the top strategic efforts of Vision 2030. They draft reform roadmaps and guide giga-projects. Their assignments are high stakes and highly visible, so they command premium fees and attract the Kingdom’s top graduates. Each firm sets itself apart through the sector focus and talent programs outlined below.
👉 If you want to get more details, check out our article about top consulting firms worldwide.
McKinsey & Company operates one of its largest Middle East hubs in Riyadh. The firm played a pivotal role in drafting parts of Vision 2030. It advises ministries on economic reform and creates roadmaps for energy producers to diversify. Plus, it guides digital rollouts in the public sector. McKinsey hired over 100 Saudi nationals in 2024 and runs its Forward program that trains a thousand Saudi graduates each year.
For further insights into McKinsey, please visit:
👉 McKinsey Interview Guide
👉 McKinsey Personal Experience Interview
👉 McKinsey Problem Solving Game
👉 McKinsey Internship – Apply for an Internship at McKinsey
Boston Consulting Group has set up its regional operations in Riyadh. BCG advises the Public Investment Fund on tourism-sector blueprints. Additionally, it supports the Ministry of Energy on renewable strategy. Its data-driven implementation strategy has positioned it as a key player in government modernization.
Most importantly, they have a Saudi Leadership Program. It offers international rotations and specialized mentoring for local talent.
For further insights into BCG, please visit:
👉 BCG Interview Guide
👉 BCG Online Case
👉 BCG Potential Test
Bain & Company focuses on privatization deals, turnaround plans for consumer brands, and healthcare-efficiency projects. Bain is smaller than its MBB peers in the Kingdom. Yet, it uses its special skills in mergers and healthcare transformation. The firm's Women at Bain initiative doubled the share of Saudi female consultants in under two years. Additionally, its new "Builders" program recruits directly from top universities.
For further insights into Bain, please visit:
👉 Career at Bain
👉 Bain & Company Interview Guide
Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC (home to Strategy&) pair century-old audit pedigrees with vast consulting benches. They house tax, deals, cyber, digital, and strategy under one roof. As the default partners for end-to-end transformation and compliance, their presence in Saudi Arabia is huge. They have thousands of staff, large campuses in Riyadh, and graduate intakes that outnumber most competitors. The firm snapshots below show how each wields that scale.
👉 Read more about what consultants do at Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG.
Deloitte combines its Monitor Deloitte strategy arm with Deloitte Digital. They deliver fiscal reform, tourism positioning, and e-government portals. The firm hired 150 Saudi graduates for its 2024 intake. It also opened an innovation studio near King Abdullah Financial District. Deloitte actively partners with Saudi universities to develop specialized accounting and consulting tracks.
👉 Career at Deloitte
👉 Deloitte Interview Guide
EY supports healthcare, energy, and finance transformations while EY-Parthenon handles high-level Vision 2030 strategy. The firm put $50 million into expanding its Riyadh office. It also set up an AI center of excellence to boost public sector innovation. EY partners with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. This collaboration trains hundreds of data-analytics specialists each year.
👉 Career at EY
👉 EY Interview Guide
KPMG focuses on public-finance management, cyber-risk, and capital-market development. They function across offices in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar. The firm's new Consulting Academy guarantees job offers to top trainees. It also helps ensure compliance with localization rules. KPMG has one of the biggest graduate programs in Saudi Arabia. Every year, they hire more than 100 local university graduates.
PwC and Strategy& blend audit heritage with deep strategy lineage. The firm exceeded its Saudization quota in 2024 by hiring 650 nationals. Additionally, it operates a dedicated Saudi talent academy targeting 500 local hires by 2026. Recent engagements span giga-project governance, tax-system revamps, and merger integration for regional conglomerates.
Often called the “next ten.” These consultancies excel in supply-chain localization, fintech regulation, and turnaround management. They offer top-notch methods at lower prices, attracting clients who seek senior attention without MBB fees. Many have doubled or even tripled their Saudi headcount since 2023. They're driven by demand from mid-sized Vision 2030 programs and private-sector diversification. The profiles that follow highlight where each challenger stands out.
Kearney advises on supply chain localization and foreign investment policy. They draw attention with their annual FDI Confidence Index, which spotlights Saudi progress. The firm supports public sector modernization and offers micro-internships for final-year students.
For further insights into Kearney, please visit:
👉 Career at Kearney
👉 Kearney Interview Guide
Oliver Wyman guides regulators and banks on fintech frameworks, risk governance, and data monetization. The firm expanded its Saudi practice by 40 percent in 2024. Plus, they established a financial-services analytics lab in Riyadh.
For further insights into Oliver Wyman, please visit:
👉 Career at Oliver Wyman
👉 Oliver Wyman Interview Guide
Roland Berger brings European diversification know-how to projects in mobility, industrial manufacturing, and automotive supply chains. The firm started a Saudi Graduate Fast Track program and partners with King Fahd University to develop future talent.
For further insights into Roland Berger, please visit:
👉 Career at Roland Berger
👉 Roland Berger Interview Guide
Alvarez & Marsal specializes in corporate turnarounds and organizational efficiency. The firm expanded its Saudi presence by 40 percent last year and opened a new Jeddah office focused on family business advisory.
Arthur D. Little targets telecom and smart-city opportunities, from 5G rollout plans to innovation-hub designs. As the world's oldest management consulting firm, ADL doubled its Saudi operations in 2024 to meet growing demand.
Accenture manages big ERP, AI, and cloud tech projects in public and private sectors. Through its Skills to Succeed program, the firm trained over 500 Saudi digital professionals in 2024.
Booz Allen Hamilton brings American defense and cybersecurity expertise to Saudi armed-forces modernization and critical-infrastructure protection. The firm operates specialized security clearance tracks for Saudi nationals entering defense consulting.
👉 Booz Allen Hamilton Interview Guide
Capgemini guides digital-banking launches, cloud migrations, and smart-grid deployments. The company established a dedicated Saudi Talent Center. It operates a joint venture with a Public Investment Fund tech subsidiary.
L.E.K. Consulting performs market-entry and growth studies in healthcare, aviation, and retail. The firm recently established a permanent Riyadh office. They also plan to hire 40 local consultants after years of serving the market remotely.
👉 Career at L.E.K.
👉 L.E.K. Interview Guide
Mercer assists ministries and private employers in updating compensation and retirement plans. This firm is vital to supporting localization efforts. The firm works with the Ministry of Human Resources on labor market research. At the same time, it is growing its people-analytics practice.
Boutiques thrive by going deep rather than broad. They focus on niches such as AI-driven customer experience, defense cyber-security, and 5G rollouts. Compact teams of ex-industry operators and PhDs give clients direct access to scarce expertise. They may not lead multi-billion-dollar mega-projects, but they play a key role by delivering important sub-projects such as data platforms, pricing engines, and talent analytics. These projects help the larger programs succeed. The firms below exemplify this high-impact specialization.
👉 Explore our additional resources on boutique consulting firms.
Sia focuses on data-driven customer experience and AI-driven consulting for financial institutions. The firm raised $250 million to expand its Saudi operations and digital capabilities.
PA Consulting brings creative solutions to healthcare delivery and intelligent transport systems. Its innovation fellowships place Saudi engineers on global project teams for six-month tours.
IBM Consulting builds AI, blockchain, and cloud platforms for government agencies and financial institutions. The firm runs extensive technical training programs focusing on emerging technologies.
OC&C Strategy Consultants shapes pricing and e-commerce strategies for retail and leisure operators. The firm recently opened a Riyadh office with plans to hire 25 local consultants.
Learn more about the application process at OC&C:
👉 Career at OC&C
👉 OC&C Case Interview Guide
Whether you're still studying or already have some work experience, breaking into the consulting industry in Saudi Arabia takes a solid academic foundation, strong preparation, and the right network. The tips below show you what top consulting firms are looking for – and how you can significantly improve your chances of landing a role.
Top firms look for strong academics from leading schools such as KAUST, KFUPM, and King Saud University, plus well-regarded international universities. Business and engineering majors dominate, but any degree that proves quantitative skill can work. Fluency in English and Arabic is a clear advantage in client-facing work.
👉 Want to stand out and build a strong network? Check out our networking guide for aspiring consultants.
Due to the forty-percent Saudization quota, most entry-level roles are filled by Saudi nationals. However, international applicants with specialized skills that are in high demand—such as advanced tech, analytics, or sector-specific expertise—can still find strong opportunities, especially in mid- and senior-level roles. Sponsorship is typically available for candidates whose profiles match strategic hiring needs, particularly within growing areas like digital, finance, and energy.
Saudi Arabia is now the largest consulting market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Top global firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain operate alongside the Big Four, offering clients in strategy, tax, digital transformation and much more. Their work is supported by specialist boutiques with expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, AI, and people analytics. The 40% Saudization quota means most entry-level roles are filled by Saudi nationals. For international candidates, this makes it harder to break in at junior levels. But there are pathways – especially for those with specialized skills in areas like digital, finance, energy, and public-sector transformation.
And the future looks promising: these high-demand sectors are only expected to grow, making Saudi Arabia an increasingly attractive destination for ambitious talent from around the world. The road may be tough – but the rewards can be substantial. If you’re serious about breaking into consulting in the region, building niche expertise and preparing thoroughly could open doors to one of the most dynamic markets in the world.
