Associate Consultant, Strategy

Stout • Arlington, VA

10d • $74,000 - $135,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At Stout, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations in all we do – we call it Relentless Excellence ®. Both our client service and culture are second to none, stemming from our firmwide embrace of our core values: Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and being Great communicators. Sound like a place you can grow and succeed? Read on to learn more about an exciting opportunity to join our team. Stout’s Strategy Group is a leader in evidence-based strategic advisory, fueling our clients' decisions with unparalleled insight and incisive advice for rapidly evolving markets. Our versatile methodology combining the precision of a world-class research firm with the agility of a highly specialized consultancy can be swiftly deployed to frame disruption, challenge mindsets, and activate data. The results are game-changing outcomes for our clients. Impact You’ll Make Stout is looking for Associate Consultants to join our growing firm. At Stout, expectations are high but empowering. Your ideas will be heard, and your thoughts valued as we help clients grow and drive strategic advantage. You will be a key contributor on client engagements and project deliverables. Quite simply, you will get the developmental benefits of big firm clients with the high touch of a boutique culture. Stout operates in a flexible hybrid office model. This is a full-time salaried position located in our Arlington, Virginia office. Stout offers industry leading compensation, robust benefits, and schedule flexibility. What You’ll Do Associate Consultants are integral to Stout’s success as a firm. As an Associate Consultant in Strategy, you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing the data that will enable the strong delivery of work to our exclusive list of clients in industrials and professional services. More specifically, you will: Conduct original primary research through interviews and data gathering with experts in sectors such as accounting, finance, private equity, agriculture, energy, and heavy machinery Synthesize insights into actionable recommendations, analyzing qualitative and quantitative findings to support client strategy Support M&A processes (primarily for PE clientele), including buy-side and sell-side commercial diligences Collaborate with internal teams and client stakeholders to translate expert perspectives into high-quality deliverables Support the development of and/or validation of financial, commercial, and strategic assumptions for both corporate and financial buyers Support the execution of typical M&A diligence workstreams, such as generating market sizing and forecasting models, conducting customer surveys, performing competitive analysis, etc. Positively contribute to the dynamic, high-achieving atmosphere of the firm This role differs from our Associate Consultant – Healthcare Strategy role in its focus. Associate Consultants in Strategy will be staffed full-time on industrials and professional services client engagements. What You’ll Bring Stout is comprised of an intellectually curious, eclectic, and motivated team of peers, resulting in a vibrant office environment that is fast-paced, collaborative, and entertaining. Our team is fanatical about client service and personal accountability. We value individual contribution, creativity, teamwork, and humor. Additional qualifications include: BA or BS required in fields such as Economics, Business, Agribusiness, Finance, Data Science, or Engineering, with a graduation date of May 2026 and a clear track record of academic excellence (minimum 3.5 GPA); Advanced degree welcomed but not required Prior experience (including internship experience) in research, consulting, corporate development, private equity, or similar experience preferred Aptitude for networking and executive-level interviewing Well-honed business acumen and analytical skills Strong communication, writing, and critical-thinking skills Work ethic, dedicated, organized, detail-oriented, and accountable Time management and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment Advanced skillset in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint and Excel Experience with data visualization tools a plus, including modeling and statistical data analysis Foreign language capabilities are a plus How You’ll Thrive Embrace high levels of responsibility and take initiative to deliver results in a fast-paced environment. Collaborate effectively with team members and clients while building strong relationships. Demonstrate analytical rigor and attention to detail in all aspects of the role. Exhibit a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial mindset, contributing to both personal and organizational growth. Application Materials Resume Cover letter We’d love to hear your story! In your cover letter, please share why consulting feels like the right path for you, and why Stout is where you want to grow. Why Stout? At Stout, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life. We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success. Our leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve. We invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals. Stout provides flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work-life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives. Learn more about our benefits and commitment to your success. https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Stout is an Equal Employment Opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of valid job requirements, qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Stout is required by applicable state and local laws to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The range for this role considers several factors including but not limited to prior work and industry experience, education level, and unique skills. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $74,000.00 - $135,000.00 Annual. This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan. Information about benefits can be found here - https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits. At Stout, whether you're launching your career or bringing decades of expertise, you'll find the challenges, collaboration, and support that fuel real growth. We invest in our people because we know that exceptional client service starts with how we take care of our own. We reward outstanding performance, encourage continuous learning, and foster a culture where different perspectives strengthen our work and our team. Additional Information Benefits Who We Are Firm Culture and History Stout is committed to providing an alternative way to express your interest in our job opportunities if a disability inhibits you from applying online. Please call us at 248-208-8800 to communicate that you are utilizing this accommodation to express interest in a specific open position. Please reference the job code to help us process your request. Please understand that this option is only available to those in need of an accommodation related to a disability. All other requests regarding status of an application or a resume will not be provided by the use of this phone number.

Requirements

• BA or BS required in fields such as Economics, Business, Agribusiness, Finance, Data Science, or Engineering, with a graduation date of May 2026 and a clear track record of academic excellence (minimum 3.5 GPA)
• Aptitude for networking and executive-level interviewing
• Well-honed business acumen and analytical skills
• Strong communication, writing, and critical-thinking skills
• Work ethic, dedicated, organized, detail-oriented, and accountable
• Time management and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Advanced skillset in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint and Excel

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree welcomed but not required
• Prior experience (including internship experience) in research, consulting, corporate development, private equity, or similar experience preferred
• Experience with data visualization tools a plus, including modeling and statistical data analysis
• Foreign language capabilities are a plus

Responsibilities

• Conduct original primary research through interviews and data gathering with experts in sectors such as accounting, finance, private equity, agriculture, energy, and heavy machinery
• Synthesize insights into actionable recommendations, analyzing qualitative and quantitative findings to support client strategy
• Support M&A processes (primarily for PE clientele), including buy-side and sell-side commercial diligences
• Collaborate with internal teams and client stakeholders to translate expert perspectives into high-quality deliverables
• Support the development of and/or validation of financial, commercial, and strategic assumptions for both corporate and financial buyers
• Support the execution of typical M&A diligence workstreams, such as generating market sizing and forecasting models, conducting customer surveys, performing competitive analysis, etc.
• Positively contribute to the dynamic, high-achieving atmosphere of the firm

Benefits

• comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life
• culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success
• leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve
• invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals
• flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work-life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees