Consultant, Strategy Consulting
Stax · Chicago, IL
- On site
- Full-time
- $140,000 / year
- Chicago, IL
Job highlights
- Consult on high-impact strategy for private equity.
- Drive analysis and client-ready insights.
- Gain early ownership and leadership opportunities.
- Work with a global support model.
- Benefit from minimal travel and great perks.
About the role
Consultant – Job Description
Grant Thornton Stax is a strategy consulting firm built for high-impact work with private equity and growth-focused clients. Following our acquisition by Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, we’re expanding rapidly, combining the agility and culture of a boutique with the scale, reach, and platform of Grant Thornton.
Recognized as a top workplace, Grant Thornton Stax has been named to the 2025 Vault Consulting 50 Best Firms, Management Consulted’s Top Ranked Consulting Firms 2025, and Consulting Magazine’s 2025 Best Firms to Work For.
To support this growth, we’re expanding our team of Consultants—professionals who are intellectually curious, analytically strong, and eager to take on real responsibility early.
The Work
As a Consultant, you will work on fast-paced, high-stakes engagements for private equity firms and PE-backed portfolio companies.
You’ll support work across sectors including software/technology, healthcare, business services, consumer, industrials, education, and the events ecosystem. Our teams operate with high ownership, direct client access, and meaningful responsibility—without the heavy travel model common in consulting.
What You’ll Do
Consultants at Grant Thornton Stax are key members of the project team, responsible for structuring analysis, driving insights, and shaping client-ready outputs. You will:
- Support engagement execution by structuring research, building analyses, and translating findings into clear, client-ready insights
- Own defined modules within broader workstreams, driving day-to-day progress against timelines and quality expectations
- Conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative research (market, competitive, customer) to support strategic recommendations
- Contribute to deliverable development by drafting slides, shaping storylines, and presenting select sections to clients
- Develop industry and functional knowledge over time, building toward subject matter expertise
- Manage small teams of Associates as needed, providing guidance and quality oversight
- Support business development through proposal contributions and internal knowledge sharing
What Makes This Role Different
At Grant Thornton Stax, Consultants gain responsibility and exposure that typically takes longer to earn elsewhere. You’ll experience:
- Meaningful ownership early, including the opportunity to lead workstreams and client-facing modules
- Direct exposure to senior leadership, with regular interaction and real-time coaching
- High-impact work across industries, accelerating learning and building a broad perspective
- A content- and insight-driven culture, where your thinking and point of view matter
- A unique global support model, with integrated international teams providing research, analysis, and overnight momentum—so you can focus on higher-value problem solving
- Minimal travel (~10%), supporting a more sustainable consulting model
Qualifications
- 2–4 years of experience in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, strategic planning, or private equity/venture capital
- Bachelor’s degree with demonstrated academic excellence; MBA preferred but equivalent work experience considered
- Strong strategic thinking and comfort with business research and structured problem solving
- Excellent quantitative and analytical skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present clearly and confidently
- Strong PowerPoint and Word skills; advanced Excel proficiency required
- Detail-oriented, highly organized, and comfortable operating under tight timelines
- High initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a collaborative, team-first mindset
- Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment
- Experience (or strong interest) in managing small teams or guiding Associates on modular workstreams
Compensation & Benefits
This role offers a base salary range of $115,000–$140,000, plus a discretionary bonus. Base salary is commensurate with experience.
We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family; a 401(k) plan with company matching; open vacation policy; life and disability insurance; generous parental leave; pre-tax transit benefits; mobile phone stipend; wellness reimbursement; charitable gift matching; and more.
Grant Thornton Stax is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability (except where the disability is a bona fide occupational disqualification), sexual orientation, genetic makeup, predisposition or carrier status, familial or marital status, military or veteran status or any other status protected under local, state or federal laws.
Key skills/competency
- Strategy Consulting
- Private Equity
- Market Research
- Quantitative Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Client Management
- Problem Solving
- Business Development
- Team Leadership
- Data Analysis
Skills & topics
- Strategy Consultant
- Strategy Consulting
- Private Equity
- Growth Strategy
- Market Analysis
- Business Services
- Technology Consulting
- Healthcare Consulting
- Financial Analysis
- Client Engagement
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight strategy consulting, PE/VC experience, and analytical skills.
- Showcase impact: Quantify achievements in problem-solving and project leadership.
- Research Stax: Understand their client focus and Grant Thornton synergy.
- Prepare for case studies: Practice structuring business problems and deriving insights.
- Highlight team collaboration: Emphasize your ability to manage and guide others.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the typical career progression for a Consultant at Grant Thornton Stax?
- Consultants at Grant Thornton Stax gain responsibility early, with opportunities to lead workstreams and client-facing modules. The firm's structure, combined with direct exposure to senior leadership and a global support model, accelerates learning and career advancement beyond typical consulting timelines.
- How does the global support model benefit a Consultant at Grant Thornton Stax?
- The unique global support model provides integrated international teams for research and analysis. This allows Consultants to focus on higher-value problem-solving and strategic thinking, rather than being bogged down by extensive data gathering.
- What kind of industries can I expect to work with as a Consultant at Stax?
- As a Consultant at Stax, you'll support work across a diverse range of sectors including software/technology, healthcare, business services, consumer, industrials, education, and the events ecosystem. This provides broad exposure and accelerates the development of industry knowledge.
- Is there a significant amount of travel expected for a Consultant at Grant Thornton Stax?
- Grant Thornton Stax emphasizes a more sustainable consulting model with minimal travel, typically around 10%. This allows for a better work-life balance compared to traditional heavy travel consulting roles.
- What distinguishes Grant Thornton Stax from other strategy consulting firms?
- Grant Thornton Stax distinguishes itself by combining the agility of a boutique firm with the scale of Grant Thornton. Consultants receive early responsibility, direct senior leadership exposure, high-impact work, and a supportive global team, all with reduced travel.
- What are the key qualifications for the Consultant role at Grant Thornton Stax?
- Key qualifications include 2-4 years of experience in strategy consulting or related fields, a Bachelor's degree with academic excellence (MBA preferred), strong strategic thinking, excellent quantitative and analytical skills, and proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel.
- How does Grant Thornton Stax support professional development for its Consultants?
- Professional development is supported through direct exposure to senior leadership for real-time coaching, opportunities to build subject matter expertise over time, and high-impact work across industries that accelerates learning and broadens perspective.