For Deloitte folks out there... How difficult is it to come into Deloitte GPS in the Core/Traditional model as an experienced hire making somewhere in the ballpark of $160k-$180k as a non-technical Federal Acquisition and program/project management person w/ 12+ YOE and a PMP and a TS/SCI. I recently turned down an offer because it was PDM, but would be interested if it was Core/Traditional. Didn't know how likely or unlikely that might be, as I was told that many open positions were PDM only?De
Very Doable for Manger level TS/Sci to come in as core.
PDM is usually when they think you have niche experience that's only applicable to 1 client /project or you don't have past consulting experience.
To get into "core" just emphasize your ability to be a multiclient consultant vs. a SME or niche resource for a particular project.
Would also consider specialist roles (specialist leader is manger equivalent) - treated as core for staffing/networking and doesn't really have the USDC/PDM stigmas
Let's clarify here on equivalent levels since D1 you keep getting them wrong. I've also included typical tenures at each level. Nobody has a "set" promo timeline - that all depends on performance and readiness, and to SpL and MD, ability to meet metrics (eg pipeline). Specialists CAN stay at level forever if they want to - there's not an up or out requirement. Traditional does have an up or out requirement.
Benefits are the same - it's core consulting. There's no "similar" bc benefits are literally the same. Comp is also in the same range but can sometimes be higher on average because of the deep technical skill sets we see in a lot of specialists.
Specialist Senior = Senior Consultant (2-4 years)
Specialist Master = Manager (3-5 years)
Specialist Leader = Senior Manager (5-7 years)
OP, it would be very difficult to come in at the Specialist Leader level unless you have a proven market and network of buyers.
Oh, and everyone going up for SM or SpL has to do a business case and presentation.
Mentor
Not difficult - that range is good
OP, it depends on what you want. PDM can be great if you want a more predictable schedule and don't want to do all the firm extras. For example, I'm staffed full time to meet my client util target of 70% but I also did 500 hours of BD this year, which is all nights and weekends kind of stuff. PDM doesn't have to do anything outside client work, which can drive a very different WLB. If you're still trying to climb the ladder and make Partner or a managing director, the PDM isn't for you.
Some engagements are pushing more for PDM hires right now due to costs and being able to profitably deliver based on the bill rates we have. Indirect costs associated with core hires are much higher and sometimes blow the individual cost beyond what we are billing which makes it not profitable for us. Just the nature of things right now. Glad your employer matched.
Was it M1 or M2 within PDM? We bifurcate the M level for some reason in the PDM model but if you switch to another track you’ll stay an M. I would push for SM if they’re offering M2.
I don't believe I would be a candidate for SM level. I think M level is more likely if I were to move to D in the near-term.
Can you just stay as a specialist master forever in GPS? Do your 40 and have no worries in life?
EY1 as an SpM you'd be expected to do BD - if you didn't do any BD/firm initiatives as an SpM you'd be considered below from a performance perspective.
Did you bring up that you would prefer the traditional track? I have done PDM interviews where that is that case and we flipped them to core because they interviewed well.
It was a win.. I got a 20% bump. But I would have probably still jumped if the offer was Core or Specialist track.