No longer the company it once was - Strategy Insights and Planning Consultant ZS Associates Employee Review

2.0
Dec 13, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- People @ ZS - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Great place to start your career, but not sustainable in the long-term, unless you are an experienced hire, transitioning to consulting from traditional roles, or a fresh graduate who's joining as an Associate.

Cons

Promotion criteria at ZS seems to be based more on tenure rather than performance. High-performing employees are not properly recognized or rewarded, leaving them question the level of efforts they are putting into a project. The absence of a clear promotion structure has led to several complacent middle to upper-level managers, who are either aloof or lacked inter-personal/people management skills. I once worked with a manager who was totally aloof from the project, and when I mentioned this in their performance reviews, I couldn't find projects anymore within my office. Ultimately, I had to network with PAMs from a different office to get staffed. Furthermore, due to fractional staffing model, I was constantly juggling 3-4 projects at once. This took a significant toll on both my physical and mental well-being. When I mentioned this to my PAM, they asked me how others are able to manage. The upper level management is poor, providing no clear sense of direction on where the company is heading, leaving employees anxious about their future within the organization.

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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