Nice alternative to the 'Big 3', but still long hours - Strategy Insights and Planning Associate ZS Associates Employee Review

4.0
Nov 3, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Mostly terrific, professional, courteous, and smart people working there - Healthy pay, transparency around comp., steady growth - If you performed well, they made it worth your while to stay

Cons

- Fractional staffing (more than one Client at once) was tough - Long hours common across the firm - We were still a growing firm in every industry except Pharma, and having non-Pharma Clients was a totally different experience (worse data, less industry expertise led to a lot of 'unknown unknowns' and ambiguity) - This could have totally been specific to my office, but the few less-than-professional individuals I worked with were known to HR but seemed to be protected because they sold a decent amount of work / margin.

Explore other reviews about ZS Associates

5.0
Jul 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Positive office & team culture Ample opportunities for growth Generous raise/bonus payouts Comprehensive, fact based performance review process

Cons

Long working hours Demanding clients Diminished Associate/Associate Consultant population

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.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All