Strategy Associate

Company Description: Systemiq is a system-change company committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement by transforming markets and business models across five key systems: nature and food, materials and circularity, energy, urban areas, and sustainable finance.

As a certified B Corp, we combine strategic advisory with high-impact, on-the-ground work, partnering with business, finance, policymakers and civil society to deliver system change. With offices across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, we are dedicated exclusively to sustainability-focused work.

Role: Strategy Consultant, Contractor, Associate to Manager
Location: London preferred, with flexibility depending on experience and project requirements via our other global offices.

Join Systemiq's contractor network

We are looking for experienced strategy and management consultants at Associate to Manager level to work with Systemiq teams on a flexible, project basis.

For contractors, Systemiq offers the chance to work on complex strategy and transformation challenges with teams that combine consulting, sector expertise and a strong focus on real-world impact. Assignments vary in topic and duration but typically involve working closely with Systemiq colleagues and clients on high-priority questions where strong problem solving, analysis and communication matter from day one.

We currently have several live contractor opportunities and expect further needs to arise over the coming months. We are therefore looking both for consultants who may be able to join projects in the near term and for strong candidates who could be relevant for future assignments.

Our priority is people with previous strategy consulting, management consulting or closely comparable advisory experience who can join a project team, get up to speed quickly and deliver high-quality work with limited ramp-up.

Previous sustainability experience is welcome but not essential. Strong consulting generalists are very much encouraged to apply, particularly those with relevant experience in one or more of our focus areas.

The role

As a contractor at Systemiq, you will join a project team for a defined period and contribute to strategy, analysis and delivery. Depending on the project, you may work with businesses, governments, financial institutions, foundations and civil society organisations on complex sustainability and systems change challenges.

Depending on your experience and the assignment, you may:

• Structure complex problems: Develop clear approaches to ambiguous strategic questions and identify the analysis needed to answer them.
• Conduct analysis and research: Undertake quantitative and qualitative analysis, research and synthesis to build a strong evidence base.
• Develop clear insights: Turn complex information into concise conclusions, recommendations and client-ready outputs.
• Own workstreams: Take responsibility for defined areas of work and deliver to agreed timelines.
• Engage stakeholders: Support or lead client and stakeholder meetings, interviews and workshops.
• Support project delivery: Work closely with Systemiq colleagues while operating independently and adapting quickly as project needs evolve.
• Lead others: At more senior levels, manage workstreams, guide junior team members and build effective relationships with senior clients and stakeholders.

Who we are looking for

Our priority is candidates with experience in strategy consulting, management consulting or a closely comparable advisory environment, typically at Associate, Senior Associate or Manager level.

You are likely to bring:

• Strong problem-solving skills and experience structuring ambiguous strategic questions.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.
• The ability to turn complex information into clear insights and recommendations.
• Experience producing concise, high-quality outputs for senior or client audiences.
• Experience working in consulting-style project teams and delivering to tight timelines.
• Confidence working with clients and senior stakeholders.
• The ability to learn quickly and work effectively across unfamiliar topics.
• A collaborative, pragmatic and adaptable working style.

For Manager-level opportunities, we will also look for experience leading substantial workstreams, managing team members and engaging confidently with senior clients.

Relevant sector or sustainability expertise is of course an advantage, but it does not replace the core consulting and advisory experience we need for most assignments. From time to time, we may also require specialist expertise for particular projects, but this contractor network is primarily focused on strategy and advisory roles.

Location, availability and contracting approach

London is our preferred location. We also welcome candidates who can work with our teams in Amsterdam or Nairobi. Remote arrangements may be considered for particularly strong matches, depending on the requirements of the project.

Contract length, start date and time commitment vary by assignment. Some requirements arise at relatively short notice, so we particularly welcome candidates who are already independent or expect to become available soon.

If your earliest availability is more than approximately eight weeks away, you are welcome to apply, but we may only review or contact you closer to the point at which you become available.

When applying, please tell us your earliest available start date, location, expected availability & day rate, and any relevant sector or subject matter expertise.

Current and future opportunities

We are recruiting for several immediate needs while also identifying strong consultants for projects that may arise over the coming months.

Because contractor needs can develop quickly, we may not contact every strong applicant straight away. We will get in touch when there is a potential match between your consulting experience, expertise, location, availability and a specific project need.

If you enjoy solving complex problems, working with strong teams and applying your consulting skills to sustainability and systems change challenges, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Diversity & Inclusion
At Systemiq, we absolutely believe diverse perspectives are essential to driving system change. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people feel respected, supported and able to do their best work.

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