L.E.K. Consulting

L.E.K.’s published “Roles at L.E.K.” list is unusually helpful because it names multiple region-specific titles explicitly, including Senior Associate (not available in Asia offices) and Senior Associate Consultant (offered exclusively in Asia offices). 

Each role below follows the same structured template:

• Title
• Client-facing: Yes, Sometimes, or No
• Geography: Global or region-specific
• Business unit: Global or unit-specific
• Typical degree required
• Typical work experience when starting this role
• 1–2 sentence plain-language description
• Typical duration in this role
• Typical next role(s)

13.1 Client-Facing Generalist Consulting Roles

L.E.K.’s generalist ladder includes internships (Summer Associate, Summer Consultant) and a progression across Associate, Senior Associate, Associate Consultant, Senior Associate Consultant, Consultant, Manager, Senior Manager, Principal, and Partner.

Summer Associate

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Global (programs vary by office)
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: Bachelor’s (in progress)
• Typical work experience at entry: Internship-level
• Description: Undergraduate internship supporting case teams on analysis and problem solving for live client issues. 
• Typical duration in this role: 8–12 weeks
• Typical next role(s): Associate (full-time)

Summer Consultant

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Global (programs vary by office)
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: MBA (in progress)
• Typical work experience at entry: Pre-MBA experience (varies)
• Description: MBA internship that mirrors the post-MBA consulting track with accelerated expectations and client exposure. 
• Typical duration in this role: 8–12 weeks
• Typical next role(s): Consultant (full-time)

Associate

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Global
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: Bachelor’s degree
• Typical work experience at entry: 0–2 years
• Description: Entry-level consultant who leads defined analyses, conducts research, synthesizes insights, and builds recommendations as part of a case team. 
• Typical duration in this role: 2–3 years
• Typical next role(s): Senior Associate (where offered) or Associate Consultant (track and office dependent)

Senior Associate

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Not offered in Asia offices
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience)
• Typical work experience at entry: Typically promoted from Associate
• Description: Advanced pre-MBA band with greater ownership of analyses and mentoring responsibility for junior team members. 
• Typical duration in this role: 1–2 years
• Typical next role(s): Associate Consultant or Consultant (office dependent)

Associate Consultant

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Global
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
• Typical work experience at entry: Typically promoted from Associate/Senior Associate or experienced hire
• Description: Workstream leader-in-training who leads workstreams, mentors juniors, and interfaces directly with client stakeholders on a meaningful portion of the case. 
• Typical duration in this role: 1–2 years
• Typical next role(s): Senior Associate Consultant (Asia-only) or Consultant

Senior Associate Consultant

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Offered exclusively in Asia offices
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
• Typical work experience at entry: Typically promoted from Associate Consultant
• Description: Bridge-to-Consultant role focused on strengthening thought leadership and team management skills ahead of the Consultant level. 
• Typical duration in this role: 1–2 years
• Typical next role(s): Consultant

Consultant

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Global
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: MBA is a common entry point; experienced hires also enter here
• Typical work experience at entry: 3–8+ years total (varies by entry path)
• Description: Day-to-day case leader with immediate management responsibility for a case team’s work and client interactions. 
• Typical duration in this role: 2–3 years
• Typical next role(s): Manager

Manager

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Global
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: Not standardized
• Typical work experience at entry: 8–12+ years
• Description: Multi-team leader who leads multiple case teams and develops long-term client relationships while building sector or functional expertise. 
• Typical duration in this role: 2–4 years
• Typical next role(s): Senior Manager

Senior Manager

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Global
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: Not standardized
• Typical work experience at entry: 10–16+ years
• Description: Senior delivery and leadership role that tackles more complex cases, contributes more to firm leadership, and mentors talent across levels.
• Typical duration in this role: 2–5 years
• Typical next role(s): Principal

Principal

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Global
• Business unit: Core consulting
• Typical degree required: Not standardized
• Typical work experience at entry: 12–20+ years
• Description: Partner-in-development one step from Partner, expected to lead business development, sponsor talent, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior clients. 
• Typical duration in this role: 2–5 years
• Typical next role(s): Partner

Partner

• Client-facing: Yes
• Geography: Global
• Business unit: Core consulting leadership
• Typical degree required: Not standardized
• Typical work experience at entry: 15–25+ years
• Description: Relationship and growth owner responsible for business growth, firm culture, and serving as an acknowledged expert and trusted partner to clients.
• Typical duration in this role: Indefinite (performance-based)
• Typical next role(s): Office leadership, global practice leadership, board/advisory roles