MBA Summer Associate, Performance Improvement

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth.

Ankura Consulting Group is a global consulting firm that provides expert services and advisory solutions to clients facing complex challenges. The firm has nearly 2,000 employees in more than 35 offices around the world, and its clients include a wide range of organizations, from Fortune 500 companies to government agencies to nonprofits. Ankura is known for its collaborative approach, its focus on innovation, and its commitment to delivering value to its clients.

Ankura was recently recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Consulting Firms in 2023 and best consulting firm to work for in 2023 by Consulting Magazine.

Ankura Performance Improvement Practice Overview

Our Performance Improvement practice is hired to solve our clients' "most critical" problems, is one of the fastest growing practices in the firm. We compete directly with strategy consulting firms, financial advisory based firms, the strategy practices at the accounting-based firms, as well as the boutique firms.

We are a team of industry experts who lead data-driven, objective, and innovative approaches to the most complex business challenges. Our experience working with companies at critical inflection points in their lifecycles has informed our approach and instilled a sense of urgency in solving problems. Our team has worked with numerous clients to build value and accelerate business performance through strategy setting and execution, business and operating model design/optimization, revenue and margin expansion, acquisition and merger support, market-entry strategy, and channel and product strategy.

Position Summary:

We are seeking to add a select number of experienced 1st year MBA students to our team this summer. The ideal candidate would be based in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or Boston, although other major cities would be considered.

As an MBS Summer Associate you will be a critical member of our team interacting with both engagement managers and clients and provide a mentor/coaching role to the team's more junior members. The position offers you the opportunity to solve problems across industries, work on diverse projects and geographies, and drive significant impact for our clients.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with project teams to develop and refine strategic recommendations for clients across various industries.
• Lead and participate in client meetings, workshops, and presentations, effectively communicating complex concepts to stakeholders at all levels.
• Perform financial modeling, quantitative analysis, and scenario planning to support strategic decision-making.
• Independently identify patterns in data and drive hypotheses.
• Work directly with clients to obtain relevant data.
• Independently disaggregate complex problems into simpler parts and actively challenge assumptions and hypotheses.
• Help to set priorities across multiple work streams, identify key milestones, and manage accordingly with a sense of urgency.
• Maintain constant communications with teammates to ensure coordination of activities and manage expectations.
• Contribute to thought leadership initiatives, such as whitepapers, articles, and industry reports.
• Stay current with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to early career colleagues.

Basic Qualification, Skills and Characteristics:

• 1st year MBA from a top academic institution with a strong GPA required and with an expected graduation date of June 2025.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in management consulting, strategy, finance, data modeling, engineering, or related fields.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Revenue and Margin Enhancement
  • Pricing and Promotion Analysis
  • Brand and Category Management
  • Sales & Marketing Effectiveness
  • Distribution and Logistics Optimization and Network Modeling
  • Manufacturing and Contract Manufacturing
  • Direct and Indirect Procurement
  • OPEX Optimization
  • Organizational Structure, Roles and Responsibilities Modeling
  • M&A Divestitures/Carve-Outs and Integration
  • Information Technology, Digital Improvements, and Automation
  • Project Management and Process Improvement

• Proven track record of successfully contributing to and leading projects focused on strategic analysis, business growth, and transformation.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to synthesize analysis and draw conclusions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
• Experience in financial analysis, including financial modeling and data interpretation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Client-focused mindset with a history of building and maintaining positive client relationships.
• Proficiency in using tools such as MS Office, PowerPoint, Excel, and data visualization software.
• Strong leadership and mentorship capabilities, with a desire to guide and develop junior team members.
• Flexibility to adapt in a fast-paced and dynamic consulting environment.
• A willingness to travel domestically (and internationally) as required for client engagements.
• A willingness to work long hours during the week and on weekends due to client demands may be necessary.

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in California, Colorado, or New York, Ankura is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. A reasonable estimate of the current payrate for this internship is: $45/hr.

Ankura is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters, if you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, submit an online application, or participate in an interview/assessment, please email [email protected] or call toll-free +1.312-583-2122. This email and phone number are created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues unrelated to a disability, will not receive a response.