The New England Consulting Group
Project Manager Career Development FAQ

Project Managers...
...are actively involved in every stage of client engagements, from gathering information and analyzing data to developing solutions to clients’ problems and presenting recommendations.

Because of our unique structure, Project Managers at the New England Consulting Group receive a breadth of responsibilities, including:
Data collection and analysis
Project planning, coordination and management
Development of strategic thinking
Report writing and presentation This breadth and depth of responsibilities requires Project Managers to be involved in both strategic and tactical requirements of a project and to employ both qualitative and quantitative thinking.

Project Managers usually work on two projects at a time, providing them with greater exposure to different industries and business issues. A typical project team comprises two to three Partners and one Project Manager. Project Managers work directly with Managing Partners, each of whom has over 25 years of marketing and management experience at leading companies. Additionally, this team structure provides Project Managers with substantial direct contact with senior level client managers.

Project Managers also take on leadership roles in firm management, including leading recruiting efforts, developing training programs, conducting project reviews, writing case studies and assisting in new business development.


Career Path
Recent graduates and experienced industry professionals typically join our firm as Project Managers. As Project Managers build their skills and experience, they take on increased responsibilities within their client engagements and firm management. Project Managers who demonstrate exceptional performance results and strong team and firm leadership may advance to Senior Project Manager.


What We Look For
Project Managers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including liberal arts, science, engineering, and business degrees. We actively seek candidates that possess the following skills:

Achievement – demonstrate superior academic and extracurricular achievement.
Analysis – possess the ability to analyze business situations, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to arrive at substantiated findings and conclusions.
Management – possess the ability to manage internal and client resources (both upward and downward) to achieve multiple objectives against workplans.
Communication – possess the ability to communicate complex thoughts effectively.
Thinking – think conceptually and creatively in the solution of business problems.
Research – the ability to innovatively gather information, establish facts, garner evidence and otherwise find important sources of insight.
Team Spirit – work successfully in a team environment and support team members.
Enthusiasm – possess intense interest in management and marketing strategy and the desire to work with marketing-oriented clients.


Professional Development
The New England Consulting Group maintains a strong commitment to continuous learning and sharing of knowledge among our consultants. Accordingly, we offer a wide variety of structured and informal programs that provide guidance, support and direction for Project Managers and help Project Managers develop professionally and personally.


PM Training
Project Managers participate in monthly training sessions designed to build and enhance their professional skills and knowledge. Training sessions cover a wide range of strategic topics, such as Internet marketing and retailing trends, as well as tactical subjects, such as presentation skills and financial analyses. Each session is led by a Partner and/or external experts that have particular knowledge and experience on the topic.


On-The-Job Learning
While Project Managers receive structured training on a wide variety of topics, no formal training can replace on-the-job learning. Through their client assignments, where Project Managers work directly with Managing Partners, Managing Associates and Project Managers receive coaching from senior executives, each with over 25 years of experience. Our team structure also affords Project Managers a high level of responsibility for all aspects of client engagements and provides them exposure to senior level client managers.

NECG also cultivates an informal culture that promotes sharing and an open-door policy among all members of the firm. Managing Partners, Managing Associates and Project Managers actively participate in knowledge sharing, from daily "News" briefings to monthly firm-wide client project reviews.


Mentor System
Each new Project Manager is assigned to a Partner Mentor upon their arrival at NECG. Partner Mentors work directly with each Project Manager and provide them with a resource for guidance on professional development and career paths.

New Project Managers are also paired with a Project Manager Mentor who shares knowledge on specific skill sets and helps acclimate newcomers to the firm. Specifically, Project Manager Mentors act as an information/educational resource in training new Project Managers on specific tasks and basic administrative issues and help resolve any concerns.


Review Process
Semi-annual performance reviews provide feedback on performance and development needs. Partner Mentors work closely with Project Managers to help them focus on key development needs to improve their performance as a consultant and to prepare them for their future career.