KSA takes great pride in hiring and retaining the best consultants.

KSA hires future principals, or partners. Therefore, we invest in our consultants' careers by providing growth opportunities within various projects, as well as career-long professional development. Consultants participate in specific training courses based on a combination of required skills and individual interest. Consultants and their managers determine individual professional development needs each year and incorporate these into the annual performance evaluation as goals, thereby providing accountability for training.

Our success as a firm is based on the commitment and contributions of our talented employees.  We set high standards, promote development, encourage work/life balance, and reward excellence.  As the firm of choice in our industries, our employees enjoy the following:

• A challenging environment that allows early responsibility and opportunities to create valued results in our clients' businesses 

• Developing work relationships that foster communication, collaboration and growth

• Being part of a firm that promotes work-life balance and is respected in the community

• An environment in which integrity is a core value and an expected element of character in associates.

• Receiving attractive compensation and benefits and recognition for their contributions
  

The Consulting Career Path
Consulting is a rewarding career! Consultants work collaboratively with people to transform clients' businesses. Successful Consultants have exceptional analytical, interpersonal, organizational, and creative thinking skills. They also enjoy travel, challenge, change, and are resilient. At KSA, the consulting career path involves the progressive development of technical expertise and leadership capabilities and increasing responsibility for delivering results and managing client relationships. The steps along the path are as follows:

Consultant
The KSA Consultant works closely with clients to discover and implement business solutions. A new Consultant focuses on building technical expertise and basic knowledge of KSA's core industries. He or she learns about the consulting process and contributes to the delivery of meaningful results to clients. A Consultant's day-to-day duties vary by practice and may entail activities such as analyzing customer behavior, re-engineering process flow, conducting labor studies, or testing enterprise-wide computer systems.

Senior Consultant
The KSA Senior Consultant has acquired extensive technical expertise and industry knowledge and begins to manage portions of client projects. In this capacity, he or she structures the problem solving process, oversees the delivery of results, and develops relationships with client leadership. The Senior Consultant acts as a coach to Consultants, providing instruction and developmental guidance. The Senior Consultant contributes to practice development by participating in recruiting, knowledge management, and other activities.

Manager
The KSA Manager has primary responsibility for leading the delivery of projects. Managers work closely with Principals and Consultants to build teams, achieve results, and develop consulting staff. They serve as the day-to-day contact with clients - building responsive, collaborative relationships that result in significant improvements to clients' businesses. Managers extend these client relationships, identifying opportunities to provide additional services to their organizations. Managers assist with the management of the practice by coordinating recruiting efforts, conducting performance reviews, writing proposals, and developing marketing materials.

Senior Managers
Senior Managers are recognized subject matter experts who are responsible for leading large, complex projects or several projects simultaneously. They guide and mentor consulting staff, acting as instructors and role models. They serve as trusted advisors to existing client leadership and foster the development of new consulting relationships by speaking at conferences or authoring articles in industry periodicals. Senior Managers play an increasing role in management of the practice by leading recruiting initiatives and marketing activity, and by advancing the firm's body of knowledge.

Principal
At KSA, Principals are our practice leaders and business owners. They serve as client relationship managers for leading industry clients and have established track records of delivering exceptional results for client businesses. They play a key role in hiring, developing, and mentoring consulting staff as they progress through their careers. They lead the development of new client relationships and represent KSA at industry forums. Principals determine the strategic direction of the practice, direct the evolution of firm's service offerings, and produce intellectual capital. Principals rotate responsibility for providing vision, serving on leadership committees, and performing administrative functions.

Measuring Performance
KSA offers active career management with experienced guidance.

Each KSA consultant takes an active role in managing his or her career. To assist you with setting goals and receiving constructive feedback, KSA completes an annual performance appraisal process and end-of-project reviews. Our consultants participate in a series of performance evaluations designed to help them develop their consulting expertise. These evaluations occur at the end of each project (three months or more in duration) and at the end of each year of service with the firm. Project managers conduct project evaluations. Regional service directors or career coaches who have been assigned this responsibility, conduct annual evaluations. Ideally, the performance evaluation cycle consists of the following steps:

• Performance planning - At the beginning of a project or performance period, you will have a discussion with your project manager or regional director to develop an individual/personal project/performance plan. Together, you will determine desired objectives, set specific goals, and agree to success measures. Goals set during these sessions should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound).
  
  

• Ongoing feedback - You will discuss progress toward established goals with project managers/regional directors throughout the project or performance period. You should solicit feedback concerning areas of effectiveness and areas requiring improvement. In turn, project managers/regional directors should share feedback, encouragement, and instruction with you. This will reinforce strong performance and allow you to make ongoing adjustments as needed to improve your performance and development during the project.
  
  

• Performance evaluation - At the end of a project/performance period, you will complete formal self-evaluation review forms and submit them to your project managers/regional directors. Project managers/regional directors then complete formal written evaluations based on this input and initial performance goals. You will then engage in face-to-face dialogue with project managers/directors using these evaluations, summarizing performance highlights and exploring areas requiring further attention. Your evaluation and development cycle continues during annual review discussions, as goal setting begins for the upcoming performance period.

Coaching & Mentoring

Sharing ideas, experiences, and wisdom is an important part of KSA’s culture – and your success. Coaching and mentoring relationships — both formal and informal — are powerful vehicles for such sharing, and will make your career with us more satisfying.

At KSA, you will feel connected from the moment you walk through the door. New hires at all levels are assigned a peer advisor for at least their first year. This advisor will ease your transition into the firm and prepare you to make valuable contributions from the get-go. Project Managers will also coach you and help you acquire vital knowledge and skills to tackle challenging business issues.

At a certain point, you will have the opportunity to be formally assigned a mentor. This person will give you helpful advice, guidance, and support as you grow in your career with the firm. You will develop valuable expertise and be inspired to go further, take risks, set new goals, and achieve your full potential.

As a mentor, you will gain a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment by creating learning opportunities and advising mentees on how to accomplish their goals. You will serve as a champion, counselor, and role model for success.

Our collaborative environment encourages the exchange of ideas and perspectives at all levels and allows you to learn and grow. KSA is committed to supporting your success through ongoing coaching and mentoring, approachable role models, and authentic advice.

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