Run far far away - Strategy Insights & Planning Consultant ZS Associates Employee Review

2.0
Sep 24, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Like any consulting firm, you’ll be on so many different projects so the learning opportunities will be in abundance.

Cons

Let me start by saying this is the worst job I have ever had including side high school jobs. There is no work life balance - it’s just work. I have had tough projects in the past but I have never encountered the situation where there are truly not enough hours in the working day for the project timeline. The principals are paranoid and lead by micromanaging and are surprisingly more involved than they should be even at the AP level - talking to the level of slide X should say this. I know consulting in general is tough, but because they don’t have brand recognition and still operate with a small firm mentality - there is absolutely ZERO leveraging of prior framework, processes or methodologies. Which on its own would be fun and exciting, but throw in extremely aggressive / just asinine timelines and it becomes setting up teams for failure. This is the type of job and company that makes you realize no amount of money is worth not just your mental health but literally purchasing every ounce of your life. I would RUN. Toxic culture.

Explore other reviews about ZS Associates

5.0
May 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great firm and leadership, interesting projects in healthcare

Cons

Nothing comes to mind apart from occasional long hours

4.0
Jun 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong culture and collaborative environment with smart, supportive colleagues. Admins are trusted partners and get exposure to senior leadership, which provides great learning opportunities. Compensation and benefits are competitive compared to similar roles.

Cons

Workload can be high, with admins often supporting multiple stakeholders while also providing backup coverage. Expectations can vary widely depending on the team, which can create inconsistency and pressure. Career growth paths are less structured and require a lot of self-direction. Work-life balance can be challenging at times, especially across time zones.

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