Strategy Consulting - Graduate Programme

Are you looking for an exciting, engaging entry into strategy consulting, with supportive learning and the opportunity for progression after just six months? We offer graduates the opportunity to work with senior business leaders across the globe as they tackle some of their biggest strategic questions.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Cognosis is a London-based strategy consultancy with a difference. For 25 years we have been helping some of the world’s biggest businesses and consumer brands build strategies that ignite and sustain growth.

We believe that strategy should engage and excite; we work closely with our clients to co-create strategy that they believe in and are excited to implement.

We build strategies that drive long-term revenue growth for businesses. Our work centres on exploring the future, creating a competitive advantage and building long-term strategies. Whether our clients need to rethink the strategy for a brand, portfolio or an entire organisation, we can help.

We work across multiple sectors with many exciting organisations and brands. Our work sees us undertaking projects for the likes of AB InBev, Lenovo, Dr. Martens, Diageo, AkzoNobel and Mental Health UK.

At Cognosis we each bring something different to our team. We pride ourselves on an inclusive environment where diverse thinking and experience are valued. Difference creates challenge and challenge creates better ideas.

When it comes to what we have in common, our company values are at the heart of how we conduct ourselves as a business and as a team. They are:

• Be brave and strive to break new ground
• Put the team first
• Show hunger to grow
• Have empathy and integrity

Find out more about what we do and who we work with here.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We offer an exceptional learning experience to get your consulting career off to a flying start. Starting as an Analyst, you will take part in our structured Graduate Development Programme, with fantastic support and the opportunity to proceed to Consultant level after just six months in role.

Expect intellectually-engaging work and plenty of opportunities to be close to the action – this is not a ‘back-office’ Analyst role. Typical work includes:

• Conducting research (e.g. surveys and interviewing experts)

• Performing data analysis

• Identify key strategic insights from the work you’ve done, and use it to make high-impact strategic recommendations

• Communicating findings concisely, whether through presentations to senior team members or during client meetings.

We work with board-level clients, as well as strategy, marketing, and innovation teams. Client interactions are frequent and as a small firm, you will work with some truly interesting organisations, brands and people during the programme.

You will get to know your new colleagues quickly and find them generous with their time and experience; we are not big on hierarchy at Cognosis, and everyone’s contribution is valued. You can meet the team here.

All in all, our graduates tell us that the experience they gained on our Programme was invaluable

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Are you a curious, motivated individual, who enjoys problem-solving? Are you as comfortable working with people as you are with facts and figures? Do you find yourself fascinated by how businesses and markets operate? If yes, then a career at Cognosis could be for you!

Our applicants come from a broad range of academic backgrounds. We don’t seek a specific degree qualification, but look for behaviours you bring and skills you’re willing to learn. For example, a Cognosis consultant may:

• Possesses intellectual curiosity with a genuine interest in how businesses and markets operate and grow with an eagerness to learn more.

• Strong emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and a collaborative, “team-first” mindset.

• Comfortable working with a high volume of facts and figures, with a talent for deciphering information and asking the right questions to unlock insights.

• Great communication skills who can present their findings clearly and concisely.

• A willingness to take ownership of any project task, alongside being resourceful and driven to meet deadlines.

• Comfortable presenting own ideas and insights clearly and concisely.

If this sounds like you, please get in touch! We’d love to meet you.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Life at Cognosis is not like other strategy consultancies – certainly that's what our team tell us. We promise to ignite and sustain your career growth, provide you with flexibility over when and where you work, and support you with some great benefits along the way.

After your first week of induction, you will be welcomed into one of our project teams and start contributing to client work. No two projects are the same, but your role will typically involve research, reviewing and structuring strategic documents, and analysing data. You will be presenting and explaining your findings to senior team members and clients. You may also have the chance to contribute to the preparation and organisation of client workshops.

You will be assigned a buddy to support you, and a mentor who will help you review your progress on your journey to Consultant, using our development framework. Training opportunities will run alongside practical work experience to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.

WHAT WE OFFER

As an Analyst you will receive:

• Base salary of £32,000  

• A bonus (via our profit share scheme)

• Opportunity for progression to Consultant after just six months, for those who have quickly established the foundational skills required for Consultant. Upon promotion, your salary will increase to £36,500 and your bonus earning potential will double

• 30 days holiday per year after 2 years’ service (25 days on joining), plus additional ‘life leave’ 

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, with the option to work remotely for up to three days per week and to work abroad or away for up to 3 weeks each year  

• Contribution towards home office set up 

• Private medical insurance, including dental and optical cashback 

• 24-hour confidential employee assistance offering lifestyle and wellbeing support 

• Regular team events, including an annual two-day team offsite 

• Cycle scheme (onsite cycling facilities available) 

• Free onsite barista 

• Free wellness and lifestyle events on site 

• Onsite cafe, pizza restaurant, cocktail bar & cinema club

• Additional ‘Long Service Leave’ granted every 5 years 

• Exceptional family leave including up to 30 weeks full pay for all new parents

• Stakeholder pension scheme  

• Income Protection & Life Assurance

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for Jan 2025 Graduate Programme are closed.

If you wish to be notified when applications open for future programmes, please register your interest by emailing careers@cognosis.co.uk.

ANYTHING ELSE

• Our clients span many industries, including alcoholic drinks and tobacco. Whilst we cannot guarantee that industry preferences can be taken into account, we seek to accommodate when feasible.

• It is essential candidates have fluent written & spoken English.

• Cognosis is unable to consider candidates who hold visas or require visa sponsorship at this current time. Candidates must have full right to work in the UK.

• Successful candidates will be required to undertake occasional travel to client sites.

FURTHER CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Candidate privacy statement:
As part of our recruitment and onboarding process, Cognosis collects and processes personal data relating to candidates. We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use that data, and to meeting our data protection obligations. Cognosis takes the security of this data seriously. We have internal policies and controls in place to ensure that data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused, or disclosed, and is not accessed except by authorised employees and third parties in the legitimate and proper performance of their duties. Data we collect will be processed and stored in line with our privacy policy. Please feel free to contact us should you have any queries.

Diversity monitoring:

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are based on principles of fairness and equity, are free from bias and do not discriminate under the Equality Act 2010.

All applicants are invited to complete a diversity monitoring questionnaire. This enables us to review the outcome of our recruitment processes once they are concluded and make continual improvements year on year. Your information will not be stored with your application and will not be used as part of the selection process. 

Completion of the diversity monitoring questionnaire is optional, but your participation is requested to help us continue to build an inclusive and equitable experience for all. Any information you choose to provide will be stored and processed securely in line with our privacy policy (https://cognosis.co.uk/privacy...).