Firm Overview

Strategy& is the strategy consulting arm of PwC and was created following PwC’s acquisition of Booz & Company in 2014.

In the Middle East, Strategy& is widely considered the strongest Tier-2 strategy consulting firm and often competes directly with MBB firms on government, sovereign wealth fund, public sector, energy, telecom, and national transformation projects.

Major regional offices include:

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi
• Riyadh
• Jeddah
• Doha
• Beirut
• Cairo

Among consulting recruiters in Lebanon, Strategy& has historically maintained one of the strongest relationships with AUB and LAU graduates.

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What Employees Consistently Like

After reviewing employee feedback from Glassdoor, Indeed, Fishbowl discussions, Reddit consulting communities, interview reports, and Middle East alumni discussions, several themes repeatedly appear.

1. Exceptional Middle East Project Exposure

This is probably the most common positive theme.

Consultants frequently report working on:

• Vision 2030 initiatives in Saudi Arabia
• Government transformation programs
• Sovereign wealth funds
• Energy sector strategy
• National digital transformation projects
• Public sector reform

Compared with many European offices of consulting firms, junior consultants often receive significantly more responsibility early in their careers.

Consensus Level

Very High

This appears consistently across reviews over multiple years.

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2. Strong Compensation

Strategy& is frequently mentioned as one of the highest-paying consulting employers in the Middle East outside MBB.

Common employee observations:

• Competitive base salary
• Strong annual bonuses
• Tax-free GCC compensation
• Excellent expatriate packages

Comparison

Firm	Compensation
McKinsey	Higher
BCG	Higher
Bain	Higher
Strategy&	Very High
Kearney	Similar
Oliver Wyman	Similar
Big 4 Consulting	Lower

Consensus: Strategy& compensation is usually closer to MBB than to traditional Big Four consulting.

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3. Strong Brand in the Region

An interesting finding:

Globally, Strategy& does not have the same prestige as MBB.

However, inside the GCC consulting market:

• Government clients know the brand extremely well.
• Public-sector clients use Strategy& extensively.
• The firm often wins projects directly against MBB.

Many consultants specifically note that Strategy& has a stronger reputation in the Middle East than in Europe or North America.

Consensus Level

High

Observed repeatedly among consultants familiar with GCC consulting.

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4. Excellent Exit Opportunities

Former consultants commonly move into:

• Sovereign wealth funds
• Government entities
• PIF portfolio companies
• Strategy departments
• Private equity operations teams
• Corporate strategy roles

Many GCC employers actively target former Strategy& consultants.

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What Employees Consistently Dislike

1. Extremely Long Working Hours

This is by far the most common criticism.

Common complaints include:

• Late-night deliverables
• Weekend work
• Frequent client demands
• Public-sector deadlines
• Intense project cycles

Many consultants describe Strategy& as having work-life balance very similar to MBB.

Consensus Level

Very High

Appears in nearly every source.

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2. Public Sector Dominance

This issue divides consultants.

Advantages

Public sector projects provide:

• Large-scale impact
• Exposure to national transformation
• Senior government stakeholders

Disadvantages

Some consultants report:

• Less private-sector exposure
• Fewer commercial projects
• Less exposure to private equity work

Compared with Bain and BCG, Strategy& consultants sometimes feel their portfolio is more government-heavy.

Consensus Level

Moderate to High

Frequently mentioned in Middle East discussions.

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3. Organizational Complexity from PwC Integration

Another recurring complaint involves the relationship between Strategy& and PwC.

Some employees mention:

• Internal bureaucracy
• Administrative processes
• Confusing organizational structures
• Differences between Strategy& culture and PwC culture

Not all employees see this negatively, but it appears regularly enough to be noteworthy.

Consensus Level

Moderate

Not universal but recurring.

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4. Staffing Can Be Uneven

Several consultants mention:

• Strong projects depend heavily on staffing
• Some teams are outstanding
• Others are less supportive

This criticism is common across consulting firms but appears frequently in Strategy& reviews.

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Comparison Against Competitors

Strategy& vs McKinsey

Strategy& Advantages

• Slightly easier entry
• Stronger government exposure
• Similar regional project types
• Excellent compensation

McKinsey Advantages

• Stronger global brand
• Better exit opportunities globally
• Larger alumni network
• More international mobility

Winner: McKinsey

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Strategy& vs BCG

Strategy& Advantages

• More government transformation work
• Stronger GCC public sector presence

BCG Advantages

• Better work culture according to many reviews
• Broader industry exposure
• Stronger global prestige

Winner: BCG

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Strategy& vs Bain

Strategy& Advantages

• Larger Middle East footprint
• More government projects

Bain Advantages

• Better culture
• Better mentorship
• More private equity exposure

Winner depends on career goals.

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Strategy& vs Kearney

Strategy& Advantages

• Stronger regional brand
• Larger office network
• More government work
• Larger recruiting pipeline

Kearney Advantages

• Often perceived as more collegial
• Smaller teams
• More personalized experience

Winner: Strategy&

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Strategy& vs Oliver Wyman

Strategy& Advantages

• Stronger public-sector franchise
• Larger Middle East presence

Oliver Wyman Advantages

• Better financial-services expertise
• Strong analytical reputation

Winner depends on industry interests.

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What AUB and LAU Students Should Know

Strategy& is one of the most realistic top-tier consulting targets for Lebanese students.

Historically, the firm has recruited:

• Engineering students
• Economics majors
• Business majors
• Mathematics students
• Data-focused graduates

The firm values:

1. Strong academic performance
2. Leadership experience
3. Structured thinking
4. Case interview skills
5. Communication abilities

Students should expect:

• Multiple interview rounds
• Case interviews
• Personal experience interviews
• High competition

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Final Verdict

Best For

Students who want:

• Top-tier strategy consulting
• Government transformation projects
• GCC career opportunities
• Strong compensation
• Excellent exits into government and corporate strategy

Less Suitable For

Students who prioritize:

• Work-life balance
• Predictable schedules
• Private equity specialization
• Smaller team environments

Overall Ranking (Middle East)

Category	Rating
Prestige	9/10
Compensation	9/10
Learning	9.5/10
Exit Opportunities	9/10
Work-Life Balance	3/10
Government Exposure	10/10
Private Sector Exposure	7/10
Fresh Graduate Opportunity	9/10

Overall Score: 8.8/10

Among all non-MBB consulting firms operating in the GCC, Strategy& is consistently viewed as one of the strongest destinations for ambitious graduates from AUB, LAU, UAE, and Saudi universities seeking a long-term consulting career.