Pros
Overall, the company is a great place to work, particularly for those who are self-motivated and thrive in a dynamic environment. Leadership is making real efforts to improve, and while there are areas for growth, the positive aspects outweigh the challenges. >Collaborative and respectful colleagues, with a professional yet fun office culture. The team is full of incredibly smart and talented people. >Significant opportunities for growth, especially for those who take initiative. >Meaningful work that has a real impact. >Flexible hybrid work structure available for employees in the DC and Raleigh areas. >Leadership is generally understanding, compassionate, and appreciative of employees. I’ve felt valued and supported throughout my time here. >Competitive financial compensation, particularly in recent years. Benefits are fair but could be improved. >Recent investments in leadership development, including a comprehensive Reingold University training initiative featuring LinkedIn Learning and guest lecturers. >Workplace had never felt political or clique-y. >Leadership strives for transparency. While they aren’t perfect, it’s clear they care about employees and are actively working to balance business objectives with team member needs. Efforts to modernize practices come with some growing pains, but leadership is listening and trying to evolve.
Cons
>A stronger commitment to increasing diversity at all levels is needed—not just in culture and initiatives but in recruitment and retention. While intern classes are diverse, leadership should focus on attracting and retaining diverse talent at mid and senior levels. >Career growth is entirely self-driven. This can be a positive for proactive individuals who seek out opportunities and advocates, but those who prefer structured career development may find it challenging. >Administrative functions (HR, finance, legal) need significant improvement: >>>HR (now People & Experience) has seen positive changes with new leadership, but the performance review process is inconsistent and changes every year, making long-term planning difficult. >>>Financial management is disorganized. Contract finance support is minimal, often placing the burden of financial oversight back on strategists rather than offering meaningful assistance. >>>The Contracts & Legal department is understaffed, leading to long delays for contract reviews (2+ weeks for a simple SOW). The team often appears overwhelmed, and communication with account teams can feel transactional rather than supportive.