Associate

Associate

Slough Entry level 28800 - 43200 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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BCG Expand

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support data analysis projects for clients in financial services, focusing on efficiency and performance.
  • Company: Expand is a fast-growing data and analytics firm, part of BCG since 2015.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative culture, regular social events, and opportunities for personal ownership.
  • Other info: Immediate vacancy; apply early with a cover letter to stand out!
  • Why this job: Gain diverse experience, work with C-level executives, and develop broad business skills.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative subject; relevant internships are a plus but not required.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.

Associates support the Delivery team with data analysis projects for clients in the financial services industry, focusing on areas such as Asset & Wealth Management, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Commercial Banking. The role involves handling and examining large data sets, using these to share benchmarking insights with clients to help improve their efficiency and business performance.

Associates are encouraged to take responsibility for their own deliverables, ranging from periodic benchmarking activities to bespoke client projects and industry roundtables. Additionally, they may assist with the management of client accounts and support the development of internal initiatives such as knowledge sharing groups, process improvements, or organising social activities.

While oversight is provided by senior team members, Expand’s culture emphasises personal ownership from the very start of your career. Associates get involved in all aspects of the delivery lifecycle, from sales through to initial data collection, thorough analysis, visualisation, and communication of the findings to the client. This provides a great deal of diversity on the job and enables you to develop broad business skills and knowledge. As you progress, you will have an increasing level of direct client exposure, which in many cases reaches C-level executives. Experienced Associates also get involved with BCG cases in addition to our direct client work, providing exposure to high-level stakeholders within our parent company.

We are looking for proactive, curious, and diligent individuals: analytical and articulate problem solvers who, with clear instruction, will play a large part in the delivery process. The role involves learning and increasing business knowledge and technical skills quickly, with the resulting opportunity to progress internally and take on more responsibility as your knowledge grows.

Job requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a quantitative or science subject, with a 2:1 (+3.4 GPA) or higher or corresponding equivalent
  • Interest in the financial services industry
  • Relevant work experience/internship in financial services, consultancy, research, or analytical work is helpful but not essential

Key competencies

  • Strong analytical skills, including the manipulation of data in Excel and translating the findings into clear messages and visuals
  • Effective written and verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders and strong interpersonal skills
  • Strong attention to detail, with a proactive, efficient, and thorough approach
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and stakeholder relationships in parallel
  • Collaborative, dependable, responsive team player with the ability to work independently and take initiative as you build trust

About us

Expand is a fast-growing data and analytics firm with a strong team-based culture. We were founded in 2001 and have been a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCG since 2015. Expand provides peer benchmarking and research to the world’s leading financial institutions – across banking, capital markets, private equity, and asset & wealth management segments, and more recently ESG.

Our capabilities focus on measuring firms’ performance from a technology, operations, and human capital perspective, looking at investment and outcome metrics and KPIs. Clients trust our research and syndicated benchmarks to support and inform product and strategic roadmaps, investment decisions, staffing and product strategy, and facilitate their budgeting process.

Our enthusiastic and committed team has a supportive, diverse, fast-paced small company feel with regular social events and a highly collaborative, professional, and entrepreneurial working culture. The Expand team services clients out of our London, New York, and Singapore offices.

Apply now

This is an immediate vacancy; an early application would be an advantage. Please include a cover letter with your CV submission. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

At Expand, we’re proud of our inclusive, diverse, and authentic team. It takes diversity of thought, culture, background, and perspective to drive a global growing business, understand our clients’ needs, and create a welcoming culture for us all to enjoy. Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. If you’re a quick learner, conscientious, and friendly, you might be just the person we’re looking for.

By submitting your personal information, which could include a job application, you give Expand and BCG permission to process, screen, and store it for the purposes of the recruitment process. We may share this personal information with a third-party IT provider which hosts our recruitment platform and with third-party assessment providers who assess your qualifications as part of the recruitment process. Your personal information will not be shared with any other parties except as set out herein. For additional information, please review our privacy policy on our website which we will update from time to time. You give Expand and BCG permission to retain your application and contact details to verify whether you have previously applied and so that we may notify you of further opportunities.

BCG Expand

Contact Detail:

BCG Expand Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the financial services industry, especially areas like Asset & Wealth Management and Corporate Banking. Understanding current trends and challenges in these sectors will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Brush up on your data analysis skills, particularly in Excel. Being able to manipulate large data sets and present your findings clearly will be crucial in this role, so consider taking online courses or tutorials to enhance your proficiency.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with professionals in the financial services and consultancy sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture at Expand.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities during the interview. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've tackled complex issues or managed multiple tasks effectively, as this aligns with the proactive nature they seek in candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Associate

Strong Analytical Skills
Data Manipulation in Excel
Effective Written Communication
Effective Verbal Communication
Interpersonal Skills
Attention to Detail
Proactive Approach
Efficient Task Management
Stakeholder Relationship Management
Team Collaboration
Independent Work Initiative
Curiosity and Diligence
Visualisation of Data Findings
Ability to Manage Multiple Tasks

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experiences, especially any analytical work or internships in financial services. Emphasise your strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel, as these are key competencies for the role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss your interest in the financial services industry and how your background aligns with the responsibilities of an Associate. Be sure to mention your proactive nature and ability to manage multiple tasks.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: In both your CV and cover letter, demonstrate your effective written communication skills. Use clear and concise language, and consider including examples of how you've successfully communicated complex data insights to stakeholders in the past.

Highlight Your Teamwork and Initiative: Since the role requires collaboration and independence, provide examples of how you've worked effectively in teams and taken initiative in previous roles. This will show that you can thrive in Expand's team-based culture while also being dependable and responsive.

How to prepare for a job interview at BCG Expand

✨Show Your Analytical Skills

Since the role involves handling large data sets, be prepared to discuss your analytical skills. Bring examples of how you've manipulated data in Excel and translated findings into clear messages or visuals. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the core responsibilities of the position.

✨Communicate Effectively

Effective communication is key in this role, especially when dealing with stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a brief presentation on a past project to showcase your ability to communicate complex information effectively.

✨Demonstrate Proactivity and Ownership

Expand values personal ownership from the start. Be ready to share instances where you took initiative in previous roles or projects. Highlight how you managed tasks independently and contributed to team success, as this aligns with the company culture.

✨Prepare for Client Interaction Scenarios

As you'll have increasing exposure to clients, think about how you would handle various client scenarios. Prepare to discuss how you would build relationships and manage expectations, especially with high-level stakeholders. This will show that you're ready for the responsibilities that come with the role.

Associate
BCG Expand
Location: Slough
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