Strategy Consulting – September 2026 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.

Cognosis are seeking proactive team players who are emotionally intelligent with insatiable curiosity and a strategic mind to join our dynamic team. You will have the opportunity to work hands-on with clients and actively shape meaningful projects.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Cognosis are a London-based strategy consultancy that has been redefining growth for global businesses and consumer brands for over 25 years. We have driven success in more than 60 countries, partnering with some of the world’s most ambitious and iconic companies and brands, such as AB InBev (Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois), Lenovo, Diageo (Guinness, Smirnoff), AkzoNobel (Dulux), Dr. Martens, and Sport England.

No matter the industry, we excel in collaborating with individuals who are passionate about driving meaningful change. Our core focus areas include:

• Building strategies for long-term growth.
• Securing competitive advantage
• Turning strategy into action
• Innovating for the future

We work closely with our clients to co-create strategies that ignite growth and ensure long-term success. At Cognosis, strategy isn’t just a plan - it’s a passion. We believe a strategy should not just be commercially compelling; it should engage and excite too.

At Cognosis each team member brings something distinct to the table, enhancing the collective strength of our team. We cultivate an inclusive environment that values diverse thinking and experiences, encouraging creativity and innovation. Our core values guide our approach as a business and as a team:

• Be brave and strive to break new ground.
• Put the team first.
• Show hunger to grow.
• Have empathy and integrity in everything you do.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We provide an exceptional learning experience for launching careers in strategy consulting. As an Analyst in our structured Graduate Programme, you will have your first opportunity to progress to consultant level after just six months.

You can expect intellectually challenging work and direct exposure to high-impact projects. 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 the role typically focuses on five core activities:

• Conducting research (e.g. surveys and interviewing experts).
• Performing data analysis.
• Deriving strategic insights and using these to make well-informed strategic recommendations.
• Communicating findings concisely, whether through presentations to senior team members or during client meetings.
• Contributing to the preparation and organisation of client workshops.

Being a boutique consultancy, opportunities for client interaction are frequent. Our small team is close-knit, ensuring a collaborative and dynamic work environment. You can meet the team here.

We are committed to igniting and sustaining career growth, providing you with flexibility over when and where you work, and supporting you with great benefits along the way.

During the programme, you will be paired with a buddy for support and a mentor to guide your progress toward becoming a consultant, using the Cognosis development framework. Training will complement practical experience, equipping you with essential skills and knowledge. Previous graduates consistently highlight this programme as an invaluable foundation for a successful strategy consulting career.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Cognosis are seeking individuals who are passionate about developing insights to unlock business challenges and bring energy and drive to all that they do. You should be brave, curious, and hardworking, with a pro-active attitude.

Our applicants come from a broad range of academic backgrounds. We don’t seek a specific degree qualification but look for the behaviours you demonstrate and skills you bring. Key attributes include:

• Educated to degree level or higher in any discipline and / or strong academic performance at A-Level
• 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.
• 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 WE OFFER

As an Analyst you will receive:

• Base salary of £33,000 + bonus via the Cognosis profit share scheme.
• Opportunity for progression after just six months for those who have quickly established the foundational skills required for consultant level. Upon promotion, your salary will increase to £37,500 and your bonus earning potential will double
• 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.
• 30 days holiday per year after 2 years’ service (25 days on joining), plus additional ‘life leave’.
• Bupa private medical insurance, full cover from Day 1
• Stakeholder pension scheme, income protection and life assurance.
• Contribution towards home office setup.
• 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 and onsite café, 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.

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.

• At the current time, Cognosis is unable to consider candidates who hold visas or will require visa sponsorship now, or in the future. You must have full right to work in the UK.
• If successful, you will be required to undertake occasional travel to client sites.

STILL NOT SURE IF STRATEGY CONSULTING IS FOR YOU?

We appreciate our industry can be difficult to understand from the outside. Click here for our Applicant Guide to learn more about the strategy consulting profession and gain some handy application tips.

HOW TO APPLY

We are now recruiting for our September 2026 Programme, with a provisional start date of Monday 7^th September 2026.

Deadline for applications is Sunday 16^th November. Early application is recommended.

Please click on the application link to submit your CV. A covering letter is not required.

Please note:

Final stage candidates will be required to attend an assessment centre in our London Waterloo office on Wednesday 14^TH January 2026. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered.

Should you need any adjustments to take part in any stage of our recruitment process, please contact us on careers@cognosis.co.uk.

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...).