At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial transformation projects and empower client teams to achieve measurable growth.
- Company: Boutique consultancy with a focus on direct-to-consumer businesses.
- Benefits: Flexible engagement, competitive day rates, and access to high-profile projects.
- Other info: Minimal bureaucracy, focus on delivery, and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a network of top-tier consultants and make a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: 7-20 years of consulting and client-side experience in commercial transformation.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
About REAL Consulting
REAL Consulting is a boutique management consultancy built for one thing: delivering measurable commercial growth for direct-to-consumer businesses. It is built from a network of top-tier ex-consultants (e.g., BCG, McKinsey, Bain) and senior industry operators (e.g., CCO, CDO, CMO). We operate almost exclusively with retail, consumer goods, fashion, luxury, travel, and leisure players, and relevant private equity and investment funds on value creation plans, commercial due diligence, and transformation programmes.
Our work is customer-centric, execution and value-delivery focused – we embed with client teams, transfer capability, and make change happen from P&L to Org to Tech landscape. We don’t hand over a slide deck and walk away.
The Opportunity
We are building a community of independent commercial transformation consultants to join live projects across the UK. You will lead end-to-end commercial transformation initiatives – from defining the growth levers to enabling the client team to deliver them – across digital, marketing, brand, price & promotion, media, CRM, e-commerce, and beyond. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, as well as train and upskill client teams, and ensure that commercial strategy is not just written, but lived in the business.
What You’ll Work On
- Digital & eCommerce: online trade, customer journeys, digital channel optimisation, performance media
- Brand & Marketing: brand positioning, customer segmentation, campaign planning, marketing investment effectiveness
- Pricing & Promotion: price architecture, promotional strategy, revenue management, design-to-value and gross margin management
- Media & CRM: paid media strategy, measurement frameworks, personalised CRM programs, Marketing Mix Modelling
- Go-to-Market, Trade & Omnichannel: retail operations, customer experience, merchandising
- Data & Insights: marketing mix modelling, customer analytics, decision-support dashboards, Customer Data Platform build
- Organisational Enablers: team design, capability building, HR and tech implications of large-scale commercial change
Who We’re Looking For
This is not for career consultants who have never delivered in industry. You must have:
- 7–20 years of experience with a mix of top-tier or second-tier consulting (BCG, Bain, McKinsey, OC&C, Simon-Kucher, etc.) and ideally senior client-side commercial roles
- Proven hands-on leadership of commercial transformation programmes – from strategy through to measurable delivery
- Direct-to-consumer experience (retail/consumer preferred, but travel, leisure, and other D2C industries welcome)
- Strong capability in at least one core commercial discipline (digital, brand, pricing, media, CRM, data) with ideally ability to work cross-functionally
- Ability to embed with client teams, build trust quickly, and upskill them while delivering results
- UK-based (or EU with UK work rights) with willingness to work hybrid and travel to client sites
Why Join REAL’s Network
- Access to live, high-profile projects with notorious clients
- Work alongside former top-tier consultants and senior industry leaders
- Be part of a network built for execution – same calibre as big firms, but with real impact and client immersion
- Flexible engagement models, competitive day rates, and opportunities for longer-term roles with clients or REAL
- Minimal bureaucracy – focus on delivery, not admin
How to Apply
If you meet the criteria and want to deliver commercial transformation that sticks, please send your CV and a short summary of your most relevant project experience.
ex-MBB Consultant - Commercial Transformation Retail in London employer: REAL Growth Consulting
REAL Consulting is an exceptional employer for those seeking to make a tangible impact in the retail and consumer goods sectors. With a focus on delivering measurable commercial growth, employees benefit from working alongside top-tier ex-consultants and industry leaders in a collaborative, execution-driven environment. The company offers flexible engagement models, competitive rates, and ample opportunities for professional development, making it an ideal place for ambitious individuals looking to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ex-MBB Consultant - Commercial Transformation Retail in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the consulting world, especially those who have experience with commercial transformation. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your hands-on experience! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, highlight specific projects where you’ve led transformation initiatives. They want to see how you’ve made a real impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for case studies! Many consulting firms love to test your problem-solving skills on the spot. Brush up on your analytical thinking and be prepared to tackle real-world scenarios related to retail and consumer goods.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re building a community of independent consultants, and we want to hear from you. Your unique experience could be just what we need to drive commercial transformation for our clients.
We think you need these skills to ace ex-MBB Consultant - Commercial Transformation Retail in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in commercial transformation and direct-to-consumer roles. We want to see how your background aligns with the specific needs of REAL Consulting, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects!
Craft a Compelling Summary:When writing your summary, focus on your hands-on leadership experience and the measurable results you've delivered. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their impact, so make it clear how you’ve driven change in previous roles.
Showcase Cross-Functional Skills:Since the role involves working across various commercial disciplines, highlight any cross-functional experience you have. Whether it's digital, brand, or pricing, we want to see how you can bring diverse skills to the table.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your CV and summary, and it helps us keep track of all applications efficiently!
How to prepare for a job interview at REAL Growth Consulting
✨Know Your Commercial Transformation Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and strategies in commercial transformation, especially in retail and direct-to-consumer sectors. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully led transformation initiatives.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Leadership
Prepare to share stories that highlight your hands-on leadership skills. Think about times when you’ve embedded with client teams and delivered measurable results. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can build trust and drive change.
✨Understand the Client's Needs
Research REAL Consulting and their clients thoroughly. Understand their business model and challenges they face in the retail and consumer goods space. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs and how you can add value.
✨Be Ready for Cross-Functional Questions
Since the role requires working across various commercial disciplines, be prepared to discuss your experience in areas like digital, pricing, and CRM. Have examples ready that showcase your ability to work cross-functionally and deliver integrated solutions.
