Types of Consulting Jobs, Job Titles, and Descriptions

There are consulting jobs in almost every industry today. The work can be exciting, high-paying, and offer more flexibility than other jobs. Many offer telecommuting privileges and the opportunity to travel, as well.

Why do companies use consultants? A business might bring in a consultant because no employee has the needed skillset, or because the organization needs a fresh, independent perspective to improve efficiency and increase profitability.

Because consultants can fulfill many different roles in many different industries, compensation can vary a lot, but is often quite good. For example, management analysts made a median annual salary of $83,610 in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Types of Consulting Jobs

Generalist consultants have expertise in many fields, and offer their services to companies to help make overall improvements.

Specialist consultants have knowledge, and sometimes certifications, for a specific industry, or segment of a company.

Some consultants work for a consulting firm, and others work on a freelance basis. Part-time as well as full-time work is available, as well as entry-level through executive positions.

In consulting firms, titles include the typical upper-management positions, such as chief executive officer and vice president, which most companies have. Below that level, titles might indicate the individual’s particular area of expertise, such as business analyst, marketing consultant, or human relations consultant.

Titles for entry-level positions include associate business analyst, consulting executive, or administration executive.

Consultant Skills

To become a successful consultant, you must have a special set of skills. You need good analytical skills to evaluate the issues, and solid problem-solving skills to resolve them efficiently. Effective communication and strong leadership skills are important in order to implement positive changes for your clients.

Intellectual curiosity is necessary to gain and build upon the general and specific knowledge you need to be effective. You need excellent presentation skills to lay out comprehensive plans to your clients. You should also have strong writing, organizational, and computer skills.

Consulting Job Titles

Whatever your expertise, you can find a way to earn a salary as a consultant. Here we have listed titles by general category.

Environmental

Many businesses are concerned with their environmental footprint, because of state and federal regulations, or just because green practices are the right thing to do for the Earth. A lot of companies will hire consultants in this field to help them implement cleaner working environments.

• Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Field Consultant
• Environmental Project Manager
• Environmental Air Quality Consultant
• Environmental Audit Consultant

Financial

Companies are always interested in their fiscal health, and often will seek financial consultants to help protect, restructure or maximize their bottom line.

• Economic Consultant
• Financial Consultant
• Foreclosure Consultant
• Fundraising Consultant

Human Resources

Expertise in human resources can qualify you for a variety of lucrative consultant positions. With staffing and hiring becoming ever more global, HR experts are often needed as a company moves to the next phase of development.

• Compensation Consultant
• Compensation Survey Analyst
• Consultant, Federal Health
• Consultant - Human Services
• Consultant Employment Specialist
• Healthcare Change Capture Senior Staff Consultant
• Healthcare Consultant
• Healthcare Management Consultant
• Healthcare Market Research Consultant
• Human Capital Consultant
• Human Resources Consultant
• Recruitment Consultant
• Senior Benefits Consultant
• Staffing and Employee Relations Consultant

Information Technology

All kinds of technology consultants are in high demand, and are often generously compensated, especially when they are willing to travel.

• Cyber Security Strategy Consultant
• Dynamics AX - Functional Consultant
• Field Technical Consultant
• Sap Security Consultant
• Software Implementation Consultant
• Senior Lync Consultant
• Technology Consultant
• Telecom Analyst
• Websphere Consultant

Management

Companies will often hire management consultants with specialized expertise to assist during a transition or expansion. People with management training and experience can find positions that are recurring, short-term or long-term/permanent.

• Business Consultant
• Change Management Consultant
• Principal Consultant - Infrastructure
• Political Campaign Consultant
• Political Consultant
• Project Manager
• Senior Risk Control Consultant

Operations

Businesses will hire many types of consultants to assist in their operations, from marketing to sales. These positions can be short- or long-term and may come with travel opportunities as well.

• Advertising Consultant
• Activation Consultant
• Associate
• Brand Management Consultant
• Commercial Print Management Consultant
• Customer Service Improvement Consultant
• Lawyer
• Legal Consultant
• Legal Nurse Consultant
• Marketing Consultant
• Marketing Data Consultant
• Retail Sales Consultant
• Safety Consultant
• Sales Consultant
• Solutions Consultant - Electrical Engineering
• Tax Advisor
• Personal

Personal consultants can be hired by individuals or companies for a variety of specialized purposes. This can be a great way to start a business or join with other people who share your passion.

• Lactation Consultant
• Life Coach
• Wedding Consultant
• Weight Loss Consultant
• Research Assistant

Strategy

Strategic consultants go into a company at a high level to maximize the functionality of the business plan. Their expertise tends to focus on quantitative analysis rather than implementation.

• Business Analyst
• Consulting Advisor
• Creative Consultant
• Educational Consultant
• Government Contract Consultant
• Implementation Consultant
• International Consultant
• Lead Consulting Engineer
• Management Consultant
• Organizational Development Consultant
• Political Strategist
• Strategy Consultant

Tips for Finding a Consulting Job

You can find consulting jobs in a variety of ways. Major consulting firms recruit on college campuses for junior-level analyst and consultant positions. Consulting firms and companies seeking freelance consultants advertise open positions on job boards.

Freelance consultants can find jobs through the recommendations of firms that have used their services. Using LinkedIn and your personal business and social network is also effective in finding consulting work.