Deloitte Strategy vs. Roland Berger

Hi there, 

Congratulations on receiving offers from both Deloitte Strategy (Manager) and Roland Berger (Senior Consultant 2/Case Team Lead). To determine which position aligns best with your career goals, consider the following:

1. Exit Opportunities and Professional Development
    •    Deloitte Strategy (Manager):
    •    Role: Overseeing project teams, engaging directly with clients, and contributing to business development.
    •    Exit Opportunities: Managers often transition into senior roles in corporate strategy, private equity, or continue advancing within consulting. The managerial experience enhances leadership skills, making you a strong candidate for executive positions.
    •    Roland Berger (Senior Consultant 2/Case Team Lead):
    •    Role: Leading case teams, managing project delivery, and supporting client engagements.
    •    Exit Opportunities: Senior Consultants have successfully moved into roles in corporate strategy and private equity. However, the Manager title at Deloitte may carry more weight in certain industries, potentially offering a slight advantage in the job market.

2. Professional Brand and Prestige
    •    Deloitte Strategy: As part of a globally recognized firm, Deloitte offers extensive resources and a broad network, enhancing your professional brand. The Manager title is well-regarded and may provide a competitive edge in future career moves.
    •    Roland Berger: While also a reputable firm, Roland Berger’s brand recognition varies by region. In the Nordics, it maintains a strong presence, but globally, Deloitte’s brand may offer broader recognition.

3. Geographic Considerations
    •    Switzerland (Deloitte): Switzerland is a global hub for various industries, including finance and pharmaceuticals, providing ample networking opportunities. Proficiency in local languages (German, French, or Italian) can be beneficial.
    •    Nordics (Roland Berger): The Nordic countries are known for innovation and have a dynamic business environment. English is widely spoken, and the region offers a high quality of life.

4. Hierarchical Comparison

In consulting hierarchies, a Manager at Deloitte typically holds more seniority compared to a Senior Consultant 2 at Roland Berger. This difference can influence your level of responsibility and the perception of your experience in the industry.

Overall, considering your goals in corporate strategy, private equity, or continued consulting, the Deloitte Strategy Manager position in Switzerland may offer a slight advantage due to the higher managerial title, broader brand recognition, and extensive network. 

Best,
Evelina

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offers!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, please keep in mind that your future career depends much more on your own efforts in the preparation and application processes for possible exits from consulting than on the somewhat elusive and overrated concept of "reputation" of your employer in consulting.
• Moreover, I would highly advise you to opt for the option that better aligns with your professional (and maybe even personal) mid- to long-term goals. In order to make an informed decision, I would advise you to do the following:
  • Weigh the different criteria that are meaningful to you independently of the current options (e.g., projects, location, culture, compensation). After that, score the two options based on your criteria and their weighting, resulting in two scores. This way, you have covered the left-brain perspective.
  • Critically assess your initial reaction to the outcome of the scores. For instance, if you feel the urge to tweak the numbers, this is a solid indicator that you do not want this decision to become reality. This way, you have covered the right-brain perspective.
  • By doing so, you will be able to integrate both parts of the brain into the decision-making, guaranteeing a higher chance that you will still be happy with it years later.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hey!

I’d lean towards Roland Berger, as it's a pure strategy consulting firm with a strong reputation in the industry, especially in Europe. RB's brand is more closely associated with classic strategy work, which could provide better positioning for exits into corporate strategy, PE, or other top-tier consulting opportunities. Deloitte Strategy is solid but often seen as more implementation-focused, which might not carry the same weight for high-level strategic roles. The RB SC2 level is still very senior and could offer strong development opportunities, making it a great choice if long-term strategic positioning is your priority. Let me know if you want to discuss further! 😊

Alessa

Hi,

Both Roland Berger and Deloitte Strategy offer strong exit opportunities (both within corporate strategy rolls), but they differ slightly in their focus and common paths and focus industries.

Roland Berger

Industries they are focusing on include: Manufacturing, automotive, energy, industrial goods, private equity (particularly in Europe). They also have a strong network and support for starting your own business.

Deloitte Strategy

More focusing on digital and technology, while also strong in PE They are also a larger, global firm vs. Roland Berger who is more EU focused, which gives you access to broader resources and career development opportunities within the Deloitte network.

We can schedule a free intro chat if you require more guidance.

Mattijs

Hey there,

I agree with Alessa on this one... If your goals are more aligned to exit opportunities in corporate strategy, PE or strategy consulting exits - I think the Roland Berger exposure (in Europe) would be a better fit and training ground vs Deloitte. 

I get that there's a position seniority consideration too (i.e. Manager vs SC2) - but I recommend you don't answer long term problems with short term thinking 

:-) 

All the best