Consultant, M&A, 2027

About the role

Private Equity Consulting role for MBAs interested in private equity, due diligence, analyzing investment opportunities, and creating value for clients. Start dates are Summer or Fall 2027. Eligibility: MBA 2nd Years graduating in 2027. Practice Area: M&A Commercial Due Diligence. Work Location (Hybrid): Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY.

Responsibilities

• Lead case teams and take on significant client-facing responsibility early in tenure.
• Assess investment and growth opportunities for private equity firms and corporate clients, and validate investment theses and market risks across a broad range of industries.
• Work directly with middle market private equity, M&A, and corporate clients, including senior management.
• Lead case teams of 1–4 associates, managing and motivating your team through tight timelines.
• Design, conduct, and analyze research to answer clients’ key questions, including:
  • How large is the company’s market, and at what rate is it growing?
  • What drives growth in this market?
  • How is the company positioned in the competitive landscape?
  • How do customers rate the company relative to competitors?
  • How realistic are the new market opportunities?
  • What factors drive the company’s ability to generate profits?
  • How might the company accelerate growth and/or improve profitability?
  • What opportunities exist to drive growth and profitability through pricing?
  • What unique value does the company have or need to build to move up the market?
• Analyze, synthesize, and present complex data, including market size and share, competitive landscape dynamics, and margin/profitability analysis.
• Design and conduct company- and market-specific informational interviews.
• Build client-ready communication skills, including executive presentation development and delivery.
• Build business development and client management skills while gaining in-depth knowledge across diverse industries.

Requirements

• Strong project management skills, with comfort quickly assuming a high level of responsibility as a project leader—both within case teams and within the firm more broadly.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative data into actionable insights.
• Intellectual curiosity and hypothesis-driven thinking to identify the best research and data to answer clients’ questions.
• Comfort with ambiguity, tight timelines, and leading multiple workstreams in parallel.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop and deliver executive-level presentations.
• Working knowledge of AI tools in a business setting.
• Specific experience in consulting, private equity, or market assessment is beneficial but not required for post-MBA roles.

Skills

• Hard Skills
  • Design and execute complex quantitative analysis, including market size and share analyses, through the interpretation of primary and secondary research.
  • Develop proprietary interview guides and presentations to effectively address clients’ key issues.
  • Analyze margin and cost information and evaluate relative profitability.
  • Create client presentations, from storyboard to final deliverable.
• Soft Skills
  • Operate in a team-based working and learning environment.
  • Refine formal presentation skills through client presentations.
  • Manage and motivate teams of associates.
  • Learn to work effectively under tight time frames and to stay focused under pressure.

Professional Development

• Upon joining, Consultants participate in a hands-on orientation program covering case process from start to finish, including designing and conducting research, data analysis, and Excel and PowerPoint training.
• Ongoing training sessions throughout the year led by management and senior team members, covering market modeling, complex analyses, software tools, research strategies, and presentation skills.
• Peer mentorship program pairing new Consultants with a mentor from the previous year’s Consultant class for practical, real-time guidance.
• Frequent feedback and development assessments providing coaching and actionable suggestions for skill and career improvement.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Professional development opportunities and mentorship.
• Collaborative, collegial work environment.

Pay

Expected pay range: $185,000 USD annually. The position level and compensation may vary based on the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications. Pay is issued on a semi-monthly basis. IGS also offers an annual discretionary bonus tied to individual and company performance, along with a comprehensive benefits package and a potential starting bonus.