Business Management Consultant, Conflict Resolution Specialist, Dispute Resolution Specialist
Interest in analyzing managerial methods and organization of public and private sector establishments; in conducting research to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of managerial policies and programs, in conducting quality audits, and in developing quality management and quality assurance standards for ISO (International Organization for Standardization) registration
Interest in conducting assessments and proposing, planning and implementing improvements to methods, systems and procedures in areas such as operations, human resources, records management and communications; may supervise contracted researchers and clerical staff
Interest in consulting with senior officials to provide advice on managerial methods and organization of public and private sector establishments
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Organizations hire management consultants when they do not have the required resources or expertise in-house, or when they need external objective advice. They may ask consultants to help them manage change or solve problems.
In general, management consultants:
Most management consultants specialize in particular fields (for example, accounting, communications, finance, human resources, marketing, materials management, organizational restructuring, quality or efficiency). There are as many different types of specializations as there are types of business challenges:
Management consultants often work long hours. They divide their time between their own offices and clients' workplaces, and may spend a significant amount of time travelling. When observing industrial operations, they must follow the same safety procedures as other visitors and workers.
Management consultants work under pressure of deadlines and clients' high expectations. Many clients expect to see dramatic improvements in business performance in a very short period of time. Within the client organization, management consultants also may have to deal with hostile employees who are afraid of losing their jobs.
Management consultants need to possess:
They should enjoy analyzing managerial methods and conducting research, taking charge of situations and providing critical assessments and constructive advice. This includes presenting findings and recommendations to individuals or groups of decision-makers and fielding critical questions about recommendations.
Management consultants are experts in specific disciplines or business areas. A master's degree, preferably in business administration or management, though not required, is generally considered to be the best academic preparation for this field. Some successful management consultants have a bachelor's degree or years of experience in middle and upper levels of management.
Since management consulting covers many professional and industrial fields, bachelor's degrees in a variety of disciplines provide a suitable background for those wishing to go on to a master's program. Admission requirements for bachelor's programs vary, but generally include a high school diploma with English Language Arts 30-1 and 4 other suitable 30-level subjects.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Management consultants are contracted by organizations to provide independent and objective advisory services in areas such as strategic planning, facilitation, quality assurance, education and training, investment, identification and analysis of management problems, solution development or strategy implementation.
Certified Management Consultant is a protected title under Alberta's Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act (PDF). This means that to call yourself a Certified Management Consultant or CMC, you must be a registered member of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Alberta (ICMCA).
The CMC designation is internationally recognized in over 40 countries around the world, and reciprocal recognition of the designation between all regulatory bodies affiliated with the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes is assured. You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Certified Management Consultant or use the initials CMC after your name.
CMC candidates must:
All provincial Certifying Institutes are affiliated through CMC-Canada and share common credentialing criteria and a Uniform Code of Professional Conduct. For official, detailed information about the Certified Management Consultant designation contact ICMCA or visit the CMC-Canada website.
Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Alberta (ICMCA)
Box 761, Station M
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2J3
Phone: 416-860-1515
Toll-free phone: 800-268-1148
Fax number: 416-860-1535
Toll-free fax: 800-662-2972
Email: consulting@cmc-canada.ca
Website: www.cmc-canada.ca/ab
In addition to certification as a CMC, specific professional accreditation is considered an asset. Depending on their area of expertise, management consultants may hold other professional certifications such as
Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
Management consultants are self-employed or employed by established consulting firms. Those who are self-employed must market their services and establish and maintain professional credibility. This field is highly competitive.
Management consultants employed by consulting firms may become team leaders and, later, senior consultants. Only a relative few achieve the status of senior partner in large consulting firms.
After gaining experience as an employee in a consulting firm, many management consultants set up their own firms. Even experienced and respected managers who leave salaried positions to become consultants often must subcontract their services to more established consultants to begin building their own client base.
Management consultants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1122: Professional occupations in business services to management. In Alberta, 75% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 14,600 Albertans are employed in the Professional occupations in business services to management occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.6% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 234 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As management consultants form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for management consultants.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $29.33 | $67.07 | $47.08 | $51.06 |
| Overall | $37.02 | $72.60 | $53.20 | $55.77 |
| Top | $45.86 | $89.42 | $64.67 | $68.00 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CMC-Canada) website: www.cmc-canada.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Jan 31, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.