Ricardo Strategic Consulting is somewhere where talented and motivated people develop rapidly, taking on steady stream of new and complex challenges.
From the start you will be a valued asset in our team and fully integrated in our diverse, client-facing projects. As your career progresses you will manage increasingly complex work, lead project teams and become a valued advisor to our clients.
Read on to learn about our roles at RSC and what your career path might look like
Business Analyst
At RSC, a Business Analyst is a fully-fledged consultant and member of a project team right from day one.
Typically your tasks will include:
- Working on individual project assignments and taking over responsibilities for discrete project modules
- Conducting qualitative research and interviews
- Performing market and data analysis
- Developing client presentations
During this phase you will learn all the skills of the consulting trade by closely working with your more experienced project team members, and through targeted training modules. You will work on a wide variety of different projects and taking on increasing responsibility for project delivery.
Business Analysts will typically aim to be promoted to Associate level after 2-3 years in their role.
Short Profile - Han Wang, China
After having finished my combined Bachelor and Master study in Industrial Engineering in Germany, I entered the management trainee program at one of the largest European environmental group where I supported the board members to define the company's growth strategy and key initiatives for new potential markets. At that time I have discovered my interest in strategic topics and thus, I decided to continue my career by joining Ricardo Strategic Consulting. While at RSC, I have worked on projects varying from competitive benchmarking, product & technology strategy to marketing forecast strategy for renowned automotive OEMs.
After several projects in Europe, I have been internally transferred to the Shanghai office where I could benefit from my multi-cultural and -lingual strength to realize exciting projects for domestic clients while cooperating with our international team.
Here at RSC we are surrounded by very intelligent, quality-oriented, humorous colleagues with different field of expertises and with abilities to connect with people from various cultural backgrounds, what makes me look forward to challenging new exciting tasks in the future.
Associate
Associates at Ricardo are the core of a consulting team and lead substantial portions of the engagement, from pre-proposal research through to final implementation.
Our Associates manage such tasks as:
- Responsibility for one or more project modules
- Performing high-value qualitative and quantitative research
- Synthesizing conclusions into recommendations
- Supporting senior team members in delivering presentations
- Working with senior team members to implement project recommendations
When Associates are ready for the next level of responsibility, they move on to the Manager level.
Short Profile – Christoph Heuser, Germany
After graduating from RWTH Aachen University in Germany with a Diploma in Engineering and Management and achieving a Master degree in Industrial Engineering at Tsinghua University in Beijing, I joined Ricardo Strategic Consulting in 2011.
During my studies, I gained first working experience in the manufacturing and automotive industry working in various university and industry projects. Before my graduation, I worked for a consulting company focusing on automotive and aviation, as well as service industries. Since then I have been keen to work in the automotive and consulting environment.
Working for Ricardo Strategic Consulting gives me the opportunity to be part of top-level strategy projects in the industries I am interested in. Since my start, I have already worked on a variety of assignments – for example, market and competitive analysis, sales and after sales strategies, and electro mobility concepts – across different companies and international regions. I am proud to be a member of the Ricardo family working side-by-side with top-notch, challenging clients and experienced colleagues, thus constantly broadening my horizon and enhancing my knowledge and skills in the automotive and consulting business.
Manager
Managers are a central figure within our organization. As a Manager you will truly own the client problem and often form the hub of a specific assignment.
Managers will hold an important role at every stage of the project and thus typical tasks might be:
- Overall responsibility for smaller projects or for specific project modules in large projects
- Structuring the project process for the assigned modules
- Operational project management in relation to clients and colleagues
- Contributing to acquisition strategies
- Preparing and delivering high-impact presentations
Short Profile - Leslie Y. Bednarz, USA
After completing my BSME from the University of Michigan, I worked for the automotive interiors group of Johnson Controls, for over 5 years. During my time at JCI, I worked in both engineering and commercial roles while completing my MBA in the evening. Shortly after receiving my MBA, I joined Ricardo Strategic Consulting and I have worked on a wide variety of projects for a diverse selection of clients. My management consulting experience has both complemented and expanded my previous industry experience.
While at Ricardo Strategic Consulting, I have worked on projects varying from competitive benchmarking & product strategy to integrated cost reduction and a new market entry strategy for non-automotive clients.
My experience at Ricardo Strategic Consulting has been invaluable, and I am a proud member of a team that is comprised of top-rated colleagues who deliver and exceed client expectations.
Principal
Principals at Ricardo are widely recognized for their expertise in their chosen area of specialization. As a seasoned expert you will use your profound experience and knowledge to deliver large and complex projects.
Our Principals also have the ability to analyze and interpret new or emerging client needs and turn them into successful projects that add real value. They assume full client relationship responsibility and have specific business development targets. They also engage strongly in personnel management and development.
Short Profile - Simon Alexander Schnurrer, Germany
After graduating from the University of Mannheim, I joined a large international strategy consulting firm in Germany as a member of their automotive team. My next career step was to become team leader in the strategic marketing department of a premium automotive manufacturer, before I went back to consulting after several years in industry.
As a Principal at Ricardo Strategic Consulting, I am responsible for the management of large and complex projects. Furthermore I support business development, intellectual capital development and firm building (e.g. recruiting). I have led projects for almost all of the large automotive manufacturers in Europe, mostly on strategy topics with top management visibility.
I truly enjoy working in Ricardo Strategic Consulting’s highly skilled international team with colleagues who share the same enthusiasm about the automotive industry. Yet, Ricardo Strategic Consulting also offers me to look beyond the automotive sector, as many of the real "game changers" in today’s market require competence from several industries.
Short Profile – Simon Arbuthnot, UK
I have 15 years management experience with OEMs in the automotive industry, having worked in a variety of Sales and Marketing and Corporate Strategy roles with major manufacturers, and completed a full time MBA and Cranfield School of Management.
As a Principal with Ricardo strategic Consulting, I advise OEMs, Suppliers, Banks and Private Equity firms, and Government institutions on the techno-economic challenges around the development of sustainable mass market for low carbon transport, investment strategy and technology introduction. I am responsible for building client relationships and delivering large and complex projects. I also have responsibility for developing the firm’s intellectual capital and market presence through writing thought provoking White Papers and delivering conference speeches.
In my 5 years with RSC I have had the pleasure of working on demanding projects in over 15 different countries and with many of my colleagues in the global RSC team. The scope of the programs I have contributed to covers the whole of the automotive value chain and while they have represented unique challenges, the projects have all been intellectually challenging and enjoyable.
Director
At the most senior level Directors actively shape the face of Ricardo Strategic Consulting.
Our Directors are recognized thought leader in their area of expertise and are sought out by clients and colleagues alike for this. As a Director at RSC you will have to have a proven track-recording of succeeding in client projects and winning business as well as demonstrate excellent leadership skills and have the ability to inspire.
Directors drive the achievement of RSC business objectives at market unit and client level and in addition often bear responsibility for specific fields of expertise. They also take the lead in areas such as strategic business and personnel development.
Short Profile - Ian Kershaw, UK
As a Managing Director at Ricardo Strategic Consulting Northern Europe, I am responsible for improving the profitability and competitiveness of our clients, coaching and growing a talented team of Ricardo Strategic Consulting consultants and contributing to Ricardo's overall financial performance and pool of expertise.
The foundations of my career were in line management roles in R&D, manufacturing and finance at a vehicle manufacturer and a major tier 1 powertrain supplier. After 13 years in the automotive industry, an Engineering degree and a Cranfield MBA, I spent seven years with blue chip global strategy consultancies before joining Ricardo at the beginning of 2004.
The Northern European team supports an amazing selection of clients, including a global construction equipment maker, a developer of electric two wheelers, European government institutions, a developer of Formula 1 engines and a number of private equity firms.