Kearney Careers, Benefits, Review

Diversity and Inclusion
Kearney has always valued diversity and inclusion. In the words of Tom Kearney, “The true strength of this firm, as in any organization, lies in the fact that we are all different. . . The strength inherent in this firm rests upon these collective and diverse interests. They are all we have.”

Every day, we strive to make real progress with our clients. To do this most effectively, it is important that our people can be themselves and feel comfortable without encountering prejudice or discrimination. Kearney ensures that employees have equal opportunities to contribute, develop, and succeed irrespective of factors including race, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. We also know that our clients get greater benefit from teams with a wide range of experts with unique experiences, backgrounds, and skill sets.

We continually strive to improve our diversity and inclusion policies, structures, and support networks to ensure that we fully meet the needs of our people and our clients—and help set the standard for our industry. Kearney has a global goal of 50/50 gender intake, and we actively promote a diverse and inclusive culture through a variety of channels, including our diversity networks and our equal employment opportunity policy.

Global Diversity Networks 
Kearney has several global and local diversity networks that reach out in the following ways:

• Assist in outreach efforts to make candidates aware of our policies
• Provide a support network for members
• Help members take advantage of both formal and informal mentoring opportunities
• Drive professional development opportunities
• Work with leaders and all consultants to raise awareness of diversity within Kearney
• Strengthen diversity by bringing people from more diverse backgrounds to the firm

 Our global networks include the following:

Black@Kearney
The mission of Black@Kearney (B@K) is to bring together colleagues who enrich and enhance each other’s professional and personal lives through mentoring, networking, and professional development. The B@K network reflects the cultural growth and diversity of the Kearney offices around the world and serves as a valuable resource for career development and advancement. Our members receive support throughout their careers with a variety of programs across the globe.

enAble Kearney
Kearney’s newest global affinity network for people with disabilities. enAble promotes an equitable and inclusive culture that builds awareness and understanding and creates meaningful opportunities for people of all abilities to contribute. enAble represents all persons with disabilities including those who have long-term or recurring physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various attitudinal and environmental barriers, hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others (The UN Programme on Disability).

Proud Network
Proud supports the distinctive employment needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, and transgender Kearney employees. The group focuses on recruiting, developing, and retaining exceptionally talented individuals. As part of the firm’s ongoing recruiting at our schools, Proud sponsors and participates in diversity events to build relationships with LGBTQ students in M.B.A. and undergraduate programs. By working with firm leaders and HR on developing policies and programs, Proud also helps create and support a work environment that allows professionals to be themselves, feel appreciated in the workplace, and develop and advance professionally.
More about Proud

Women’s Network
The Women’s Network is one of the longest-standing networks in the firm. We are committed to recruiting and advancing and supporting women at Kearney. We emphasize networking and mentoring opportunities through formal and informal channels. Local women’s networks facilitate strong relationships and exchange of experiences. Mentoring programs also help connect colleagues with different levels of experience across the extended women’s network and help drive a culture that focuses on retention and success.
More about the Women’s Network

Regional Diversity Networks

East Asian Network — Americas
The East Asian Network brings together Kearney colleagues of Asian heritage and allies of all levels and backgrounds. We seek to develop a supportive community both internally and externally, celebrate our shared cultural heritage, provide thoughtful mentorship and development, and most importantly, experience joy in the presence of one another.
More about the East Asian Network

Latino & Hispanic Network — Americas
Within Kearney and the broader community, the Latino & Hispanic Network promotes an atmosphere of diversity, inclusion, and respect. We promote Kearney’s diversity mission in support of the firm’s commitment to superior client service and business performance.
More about the Latino & Hispanic Network

Middle East and North Africa Network — Americas
The Middle East & North Africa network (MENA) brings together colleagues in the Americas who share an affinity towards Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds. Its mission is to enrich its members’ professional and personal lives and enhance mentoring, networking, and cultural values.

Veteran Network — Americas
The Veteran Network’s mission is to support and advocate for the professional development and well-being of our veteran employees at Kearney through networking, mentorship and recruiting.

Culture and Values

Over the years we’ve fostered a culture in which we are united by shared values—boldness, solidarity, passion, generosity, and curiosity—and these come alive in the work we do and how we do it.

With the freedom to be yourself and recognition for what you bring, you’ll find we’re individual and inclusive to our core. While our values unite us, our desire to be the difference for our colleagues, our clients, and society at large sets us apart.

Individual and inclusive at our core

- With the freedom to be yourself and recognition for what you bring, you’ll find we’re individual and inclusive to our core. While our values unite us, our desire to be the difference for our colleagues, our clients, and society at large sets us apart. We actively promote a diverse and inclusive culture through a variety of channels, including our diversity networks and our equal employment opportunity policy.

Learn about belonging at Kearney

Professional Development 

As one of the original firms, we’ve never forgotten that consulting is a people business. It’s why we value empathy just as much as expertise. Together with our apprenticeship model, the relationships we build with our clients mean the learning, growth, and real progress never stop.

We believe our people’s continuous professional development is crucial to ensuring our ability to drive impact and build lasting, transformational advantage for our clients to make real progress. We want our people to be successful throughout their careers, so Kearney makes a substantial investment in the development and retention of our people by providing a full curriculum of tailored courses focused on the skill sets needed in today’s business world. Consultants participate in training within days of joining the firm, and we constantly review and upgrade our training programs to ensure all consultants receive the training they need at the right time in their careers, up to and including at the partner level.

 

 

Professional Development | Career Path

Because we know that our long-term success will depend upon yours, we make every effort to make your career path as clear as possible and help you make your mark at every stage.

Partner

Partners are involved in senior client relationship development and management. They collaborate with CEOs to create long-term strategies and develop enduring relationships. Partners take an active role in the leadership of Kearney, developing future leaders and executing the business strategy for the firm. Partners at Kearney are elected to their position.

Principal

Principals are expected to manage large, complex engagements, build client relationships and contribute to business development. Principals at Kearney are elected to their position.

Manager

Managers at Kearney have project oversight on engagements. They are responsible for assigning specific tasks to the staff and making sure that the deliverables are scheduled and presented on time. Managers have opportunities for professional development and mentoring to help guide their career path and develop expertise in specific industry of service practices.

Associate

As a Kearney Associate, you will be involved in every phase of a consulting engagement, from pre-proposal research through final implementation. Almost immediately, you will join a project team, working at a client location, sharing your ideas, and addressing CEO-level issues. Our goal is to involve you in all phases of the consulting process, helping you hone your professional skills and make your mark.

Senior Business Analyst

For individuals with either an advanced degree other than an MBA or an undergraduate degree plus several years of full-time relevant experience, the Kearney Senior Business Analyst position is an important bridge between Business Analyst and Associate. This position is designed to develop the talents of individuals and who possess relevant experience and a desire to learn the discipline of management consulting.

Business Analyst

Working with experienced consultants, Business Analysts develop models, perform complex analyses, and work on research assignments at both the office and client sites. Business Analysts often travel while on assignments, undertaking a broad range of activities while gaining exposure to the business world. They may also participate in marketing activities and the preparation of proposals for new engagement opportunities

 

 

Professional Development | Mentoring, Apprenticeship, and Training

Mentoring

At the core of Kearney's professional development program is the relationship between new consultants and their mentors, more senior people whose role is to serve as a friendly guide throughout your career. Your mentor will work with you to identify your areas of interest and development needs.

Apprenticeship

As one of the original firms, we’ve never forgotten that consulting is a people business. It’s why we invest in our people to give them the skills they need to teach and apprentice fellow colleagues. We have many years of expertise that colleagues of all ranks share with one another and provide great opportunities for you to make it happen and make your mark.

Training

Another way that we aim to help you build your own capabilities is through our structured learning and development programs and informal on-the-job training.

These may include specific projects or practices to offer particularly valuable learning experiences. They may also include portions of the Kearney Consulting Curriculum, a series of virtual and classroom programs focusing intensively on the sophisticated skill set required of today’s management consultant. Some courses are available to all consultants, while others are offered by invitation only.

A series of courses has been developed for each step up the career ladder, with the emphasis gradually shifting from hands-on work to team leadership and from developing skills to developing business.

At the end of the day, you are responsible for your own professional development. Those who are motivated will find that Kearney offers all the resources they will need to advance at a rapid rate.

2021

• Corporate Equality Index, Human Right's Campaign, 2021
• Best Places to Work for LGTBQ , Human Right's Campaign, 2021
• Global Inclusion Index, Seramount (Working Mother), 2021
• America's Best Consulting Firms, Forbes, 2021

2020

• Global Diversity List, 2020
• America's Best Consulting Firm, Forbes, 2020
• Diversity Best Practices Inclusion Index, Working Mother, 2020
• Corporate Equality Index, Human Right's Campaign, 2020
• Best Places to Work for LGTBQ , Human Right's Campaign, 2020
• Top 100 Firms for Working Families and Women, Working Mother, 2020
• Working Mother and Dad of the year, 2020
• Top 25 consultant, Consulting Magazine, 2020
• Rising Star, Consulting Magazine, 2020

2019

• Rising Star Award, Consulting Magazine, 2019
• The Chicago Network Equity Principles Campaign, The Chicago Network, 2019
• 100 Best Companies, Working Mother, 2019

2018

• NAFE Top 70 Companies for Executive Women, Working Mother, 2018
• Rising Stars of the Profession (in Client Service and Healthcare industry), Consulting Magazine, 2018
• Excellence in Executive Development Award 2018 in conjunction with LBS, EFMD, 2018

2017

• NAFE Top 60 Companies for Executive Women, National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), 2017
• Diversity MBA 50 Out Front Best in Class, Diversity MBA, 2017

Check out other awards we have won here

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Kearney differ from other consulting firms?

A: Management consulting offers the opportunity to work with exceptionally smart people, across a diverse set of organizations, solving interesting and important client problems. While most leading management consultants can offer you these opportunities, Kearney does so in a uniquely original way. Because we’re big enough to make real impact but small enough to stay connected, working here means getting into it and making your mark. We never sit on the sidelines – we’re doers by nature and count on everyone to join in. This is a place to let your ideas out and make it happen.

Q: How does Kearney build its image in the market?

A: Kearney has several original solutions that build our brand in the marketplace and expand our client relationships. These include resources such as Global Business Policy Council, our parent analytics company Cervello, PerLab, and NEXT. We also provide benchmark studies to the marketplace including the State of Logistics, Consumer and Retail M&A report, Year Ahead Predictions, and the Assessment of Excellence in Procurement. Lastly, we host and participate in several global forums such as World Economic Forum, Digital Business Forum, Consumer Goods Forum, and CEO retreat. Learn more about our thought leadership and our people by following us on social media sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Q: What is the interview process?

A: The interview process can vary depending on the region. However, generally, there are two to three rounds of interviews.

In the Americas, for instance, first round interviews consist of two sets of interviews. We will ask you to complete a short case study that allows us to assess your communication and problem-solving skills. Next, we assess your overall fit, based on your experience, core competencies, and potential client impact. Final rounds typically consist of two case/behavioral interviews and one structured case presentation (for associates). For the case presentation, you will be given a case and time to prepare on your own. You will then present the case as one of your interviews.

All candidates participate in several one-on-one discussions with Kearney consultants at all levels. For more specific information on the interview process in a region, please visit the “Working Here” section on our website.

Q: If Kearney does not recruit on campus at my school, what are my options?

A: We focus our campus recruiting efforts on various core schools around the globe. Students at other schools can apply via our global job board on our website. If you’re not ready to apply. Want to keep up to date? Join our Talent Community via our global job board.

Q: Do I need to have experience in a certain industry to be considered for an interview?

A: Kearney looks for well-rounded candidates. We recruit for strong problem solving, analytical, and communication skills. We also look for leadership experience and a demonstrated history of success.

Q: Do you hire people with a non-business Masters or Ph.D.? Are the recruiting process and the final offer different?

A: Kearney hires Masters and PhD graduates from campus and from industry. Masters students follow the same campus hiring process as undergraduates. Students graduating with PhDs may be hired as senior BAs or associates, depending on their work experience and the region applying to, and they will follow the campus recruiting process of business analysts/senior business analysts or associates as appropriate. Industry hires (typically managers and above) follow a separate recruiting process.

Q: Are full-time opportunities available for undergraduates across the globe?

A: Some of our offices may look for full-time associates from business schools from outside their regions. However, most of our offices meet their needs through local efforts for undergraduate candidates.

Q: Do I need to speak another language to be considered for positions in overseas offices?

A: Local language fluency is required to work in any of our offices across the globe. Additionally, some offices prefer fluency in two or three languages. Work experience in the region and a good understanding of the local culture and business practices are very important. Some offices may also have other specific requirements.

Q: How do I apply for international positions?

A: The application process for full-time positions globally vary from between units and roles. All interviews though are by invitation only and offices generally do not accept unsolicited or out-of-cycle resumes. There is a different application process for both internship and full-time roles for students at our core schools, globally. If multiple offices are interested in a candidate, we will ask the candidate to decide before the interview lists are finalized. Our recruiting teams remain coordinated throughout the process and can assist candidates in navigating through the process.

Visit the ‘Careers’ page on our website for more information.

Q: How do I submit my resume?

A: Recruiting is managed on a country basis. To apply, visit our global job board by clicking the “Apply” button on your local Kearney website.

Q: What are the components of Kearney's offer packages?

A: We do not discuss offer package details until an offer is extended. Our compensation packages are designed to be competitive. As such, we continually monitor trends globally and adjust our compensation packages as needed.