Great consulting opportunity and excellent people - Senior Manager Clerestory Consulting Employee Review

Clerestory has a flat management structure, meaning every member of a project team is given responsibility over deliverables or work streams. This gives less experienced consultants opportunities to assume leadership and make real contributions to project work. It also means more experienced consultants and leaders remain involved in tactical work. Everyone pitches in across every phase of a project to deliver results. The hands-on mentality and mutual accountability are reflective of the firm's culture. I've become good friends with many of my colleagues--across staff classes. The firm regularly plans parties and events to build community and celebrate one another's successes. That culture may not be for everyone, but I appreciate knowing that I'm valued by the firm and that I work with people I trust. Promotions are based on performance, not tenure. Strong performers get raises, bonuses, and promotions. I've received all three in the past 6 months (as well as across prior years). Additionally, the flat structure means you can showcase your skills and interests across multiple projects, giving you the chance to demonstrate your value to leadership. I've seen people who are between projects ("on the bench") get promoted because of the valuable internal work they led.

There's been a recent push for additional resources on career development and coaching. The progress made with the career development review cycle and expectations has been great. Still, there are inconsistencies in the level of feedback that's given from one senior leader to the next. You may get a ton of constructive feedback and coaching from one senior leader, then get staffed with a different leader who doesn't emphasize that nearly enough.

Great hours for consulting, limited flight travel.

Please do yourself a favor and reach out to any former Clerestory consultant and ask them their thoughts on the firm. I don't even know where to begin...I have refrained from writing this review for over a year because I wanted to make sure that my emotions did not have a part in this review. As I stand today, I look back at this firm and can confidently say that it was an atrocious experience. Don't take my word for it, look at LinkedIn and see how long most employees' tenure is (hint: it's less than a year for the majority of employees). Some tidbits: - Most managers literally proof every email you send to client contacts. Not just that, THEIR emails are proofed by anyone more senior than them on most projects. The amount of inefficiency this brings about and lack of trust this shows is truly concerning. - Very often you hear the "Clerestory Way" as an excuse for doing things that are extremely outdated - Hiding behind the vail of "meritocracy," the firm's culture is one that is centered around favoritism. Not only is there no visibility into promotions (and firings), promotions happen without a heads up to the people that are being promoted and are given at the company-wide events by presenting the promotees with a puppet that looks like them (I wish I was joking) I could keep going for a long while but hopefully this gives you a little taste.