Associate Consultant - K-12 Education

Cicero Group•Washington DC, DC

1d•Remote

About The Position

Cicero-MGT is a premier management consulting firm focused on implementing data-driven strategies for a broad mix of private, public, and social sector organizations. Our K-12 Education practice is dedicated to dramatically improving learning and life outcomes for all children. We partner with leaders in government, philanthropy, and other education organizations to solve complex problems facing public schools and communities. This position is part of a pilot career pathway model designed to provide new Associate Consultants with a passion for education and eagerness to gain exposure to broader management consulting with focused, foundational training and broad exposure to multiple practice areas across the firm. In Year 1, you will be part of the Management Consulting Center of Excellence (CoE), specializing in K-12 projects while receiving the same training and professional development as other CoE consultants. This foundational year is designed to develop your skills in a mission-driven, project-rich environment with strong coaching and mentorship. In Year 2+, you will have the opportunity to cycle onto a wider set of projects across practice areas, broadening your consulting experience and exploring potential areas of specialization. This structure offers the depth of focused, education-sector training and the breadth of a diversified management consulting career. The CoE model ensures efficient resource planning, maximizing your potential and aligning work with your skills and interests.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required, with a strong academic background
3–7 years of full-time, post-graduate professional experience required (strong preference for education, management/strategy consulting, public sector, or similarly fast-paced, analytical environments)
2+ years of experience managing and leading people, including providing coaching, feedback, and professional development support
Demonstrated track record of exceeding goals and delivering high-quality work in client-facing roles
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to share and synthesize knowledge for diverse audiences
Ability to think independently while meaningfully collaborating with teams
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships and manage stakeholder expectations
Commitment to our organizational mission and fostering a culture of inclusion in the workplace
An ability to navigate ambiguity comfortably, think strategically, and anticipate future opportunities and challenges
An ability to connect with people both on an individual level and in groups
A sense of humor and ability to work in a dynamic environment
Ability to travel depending on client needs

Nice To Haves

Advanced graduate degree (MBA, MPA, MPP, etc.) preferred but not required
Experience in management/strategy consulting, education, public sector, nonprofits, or similar environments
Experience with data analysis, financial modeling, or market research
Familiarity with data visualization and presentation best practices
Experience with R, Python, or other data analysis tools/applications
A passion for education and improving outcomes for students in underserved communities
Exceptional ambition and leadership skills in academic, professional, or extracurricular settings
Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving
Data analysis, visualization, and interpretation
Professional communication and storytelling
Project planning and time management
People management and team leadership
Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork
Attention to detail and quality control
Focus group facilitation and in-depth interviews
Survey creation, fielding, and analysis
Secondary research
Proposal writing

Responsibilities

Lead small teams of consultants and analysts in research, analysis, and synthesis of findings that define our strategic recommendations
Work closely with Engagement Managers and senior leaders to guide teams through complex projects such as organizational transformation, strategic development and implementation, market research and assessments, and education-sector engagements
Plan, execute, and adapt projects in dynamic environments, incorporating input from multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities
Engage directly with clients and partners to understand their needs, build strong relationships, and implement original, creative solutions
Conduct and oversee both qualitative and quantitative analyses, breaking down complex findings into actionable insights for variable audiences
Communicate efficiently and effectively — both in writing and verbally — translating data and research into compelling narratives for clients and internal teams
Manage and mentor consultants and analysts, leading their contributions to project deliverables and providing regular feedback on work quality and professional development
Support and manage work plans, project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation across multiple concurrent engagements
Develop knowledge of partner issues, needs, and context, and maintain awareness of market trends, competitive landscape, and education policy developments
Manage diverse and impactful internal initiatives that contribute to firm-wide growth and culture
Make frequent use of Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Google Sheets, and other project management tools