Senior Associate/Consultant

Who We Are

Boost Social Sector Consulting serves nonprofits, foundations, and other social ventures in addressing critical business challenges towards the pursuit of greater good. We are top-tier strategists that provide social sector organizations with sound guidance and a pragmatic perspective drawn from sharply honed skills in rigorous research, data-driven analysis, methodical problem-solving, and thoughtful discussion facilitation.

We draw from over 25 years of experience in strategic and business planning, program and operational improvement, and organizational development projects. Our leadership is experienced at The Boston Consulting Group and is licensed by the Standards for Excellence Institute®, which seeks to help nonprofit organizations achieve the highest benchmarks of ethics and accountability.

We have served a range of clients in a variety of fields, including urban parks and recreation, economic development, philanthropy, arts-based placemaking, public policy, global development, and youth development.

Senior Associate Role and Responsibilities

Being a Boost Senior Associate requires a commitment to the social sector, a strong analytical background, exemplary attention to detail, and consistently rigorous effort on behalf of our clients and their visions for social good. The Senior Associate role is a blend of business strategy consultant and nonprofit program manager.

The responsibilities of the Senior Associate position are threefold.

85% to 90% of the Senior Associate’s time is spent working on project-based consulting teams. Senior Associates dive deep into critical problems at social sector organizations in a wide array of fields. This requires the ability to become quickly acquainted with new organizations, new issues, and new frameworks for solving them. Senior Associates are expected to conduct research and analysis; develop and communicate insights; prepare and proof client deliverables; capture and synthesize meetings; support sales development and foster relationships with clients; and act as a thought partner in all aspects of our work.

5 to 10% of the Senior Associate’s time is spent supporting a range of administrative activities that facilitate Boost’s startup-like culture and its commitment to cost-effective service to the nonprofit sector. Administrative responsibilities may include contact management and network development; maintaining the firm’s websites, collateral, and internal policy documents; managing logistics such as booking travel and reporting expenses; calendar management; etc.

Finally, Senior Associates may also be called upon to help advance Boost’s growing presence as a leader in social sector consulting via blogging and other writing and knowledge production assignments. These projects account for up to 5% of a Senior Associate’s time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least two years of relevant work experience, preferably in management consulting/client service/investigative journalism or a programmatic/leadership role at a non-profit
• Excellent analytic skills, including the ability to undertake desktop research and draw insights from both quantitative and qualitative data
• Competence in developing and maintaining organizing systems and processes
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to capture and internalize client communications, communicate effectively in writing and in person, and appropriately represent the firm in client interactions
• Exemplary attention to detail and precision, timeliness, and sound judgement

Ideal Personal Profile

• A consistent pursuit of excellence
• A passion for service and demonstrated interest in the social sector
• Intellectual curiosity and a growth mindset
• Discipline, forethought, and resourcefulness in the face of challenges
• Mental flexibility and the ability to balance - and switch quickly between - different workstreams

Location, Schedule, and Compensation

Most of the work is undertaken remotely with occasional travel. Boost is based in the Washington, DC, area, and the preference is for the Senior Associate to be in the Northeast USA, as it helps contain travel time/costs (most clients are based in the Northeast). Applicants wishing to work part-time (20 to 30 hours a week) as employees or contractors are welcome. If you are interested in part-time employment and/or contract-based work, please indicate in your cover letter how many hours per week you are available to work and whether you have specific schedule preferences and/or constraints.

The position starts as early as September 1. Compensation is commensurate with experience and similar positions in the nonprofit sector.

Please apply through Idealist. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for a first-round interview. The posting will be closed once the position is filled.