Castalia Reviews

2.7

15% would recommend to a friend

(65 total reviews)

David Ehrhardt

12% approve of CEO

27% positive business outlook

Castalia has an employee rating of 2.7 out of 5 stars, based on 65 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Castalia employee rating is 27% below average for employers within the Management and consulting industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

65 reviews
3.0
12 June 2016

Get Experience and Move Out

Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This only concerns the Sydney Office. Your work will have an international dimension with some opportunity to travel The hours are reasonable but when required you will be asked to work late or in the weekend from time to time The experience will fast track your career opportunities and your marketability You will work with some of the best industry experts

Cons

Average to poor remuneration Misalignment of bonus incentive Demeaning rather than constructive feedback Up or out culture No HR support staff

4.0
23 Sept 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Interesting, challenging work right across the world, especially in development economics. Full of smart, interesting and passionate people. Especially good for juniors starting their careers, as you will be dropped in the deep end and given the opportunity to work with internal and external seniors. This sets you up very well for your next role. Many ex colleagues have ended up in development agencies like the World Bank.

Cons

High pressure, massive workloads that are highly unpredictable. You work becomes your life and it is difficult to plan anything outside work. The amount of travel works if you're into it, but if you're a family person the novelty wears thin pretty quickly. The CEO is a brilliant intellectual and one of the smartest people I have ever met. Yet his inquisitive and insightful mind has a big EQ blind spot. He has been known to bring staff members to tears through conversations that he did not even realise were upsetting to the staff. If you know this, are prepared for it and don't take it to heart, your interactions will be mainly positive and you will learn a lot. He does take an interest in developing his junior staff and makes an effort to mentor them if they're open to it. Progression within the business and getting a good remuneration package can be tough. Often the business explains a lack of material salary increases by saying that the staff member is gaining valuable experience that will lead to other, higher paid roles outside Castalia. This is undoubtedly true, but it means that there is little incentive to remain for longer than a few years.

4.0
6 Oct 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Amazing team of people who care about each other and have little time for office politics. Well distributed office hierarchy - plenty of opportunity to work closely with and learn from managers and directors. Exposure to seriously transformative projects across developing and developed nations worldwide, including travel opportunities once COVID restrictions return to normal. “Problems to solutions” focused work style keeps things exciting and provides new learning opportunities at every turn, which accelerates professional development. Flexible work from home arrangements available. Trusting employer that expects a lot from you, but gives a lot in return - perfect for employees that can stay internally motivated Plenty of fun corporate activities - Friday drinks, birthday and anniversary dinners, Xmas parties, etc.

Cons

A private sector company operating in public sector industries - expect hard work and long hours [relative to pay], often with the slow-moving, repetitive and bureaucratic nature of government work. Lacks strong camaraderie and social culture that comes at companies with larger intake cohorts of analysts - this is essentially just the downside of a smaller company where most people work from home flexibly.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 65 Reviews

Glassdoor has 78 Castalia reviews submitted anonymously by Castalia employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Castalia is right for you.