Technology & Digital Consulting
Discover what technology & digital consulting involves: how consultants help organisations with digital transformation, technology and new ways of working, what they do day to day, the career ladder, and how students prepare for an application.
Introduction
What is technology & digital consulting?
Technology & digital consulting is about how an organisation uses technology to work better, faster and more digitally. Consultants advise on digital strategy and help actually build and implement it, from new systems to new ways of working.
The work sits at the intersection of business and technology: the client wants a result, and the consultant translates that into a solution that is technically sound and works in practice. That requires both analytical ability and a feel for technology.
Technology & digital is one of the fastest-growing parts of consulting. It appeals to students who love technology but want to stay close to the business, and offers broad exposure to sectors and solutions.
The practice
Three settings where you practise this field
The breakdown below mainly says something about the type of employer and the clients you serve, not about the quality of the work.
At large technology firms you work on extensive, often international transformations. Digital transformation firms sit closer to the Dutch market and combine advice with delivery. Strategy and Big Four firms often approach technology from the broader strategy or advisory platform.
What they do
What technology & digital consultants do
The work differs by project, but the building blocks below come up in almost every digital project.
Types of project
The main types of project
Technology & digital consulting has a number of recurring project types, even though the technology and sector differ greatly.
Sub-areas
The main sub-areas
Technology & digital is broad, and many consultants specialise over time in a technology or type of solution.
Step by step
How a digital project unfolds
Most digital projects follow a similar path, from exploring the need to support after go-live. With agile working, these steps often run through each other in short iterations.
Who does which step depends on seniority and role. Junior consultants do much of the analysis, design and testing, while senior consultants set the approach and bring the client along.
Not every project ends at roll-out: many run on into support and further development, where the solution is improved step by step.
Roles
Roles in the technology & digital practice
Each step up the ladder shifts the emphasis further from delivery toward leading teams and managing the client relationship. Most consultants climb this ladder at the same firm, though moving to a technology company or the business is common at any level.
Analyst / Consultant
The entry role straight after a bachelor's or master's.
Senior Consultant
Independently handles part of a project.
Manager
Leads a team and the day-to-day running of a project.
Senior Manager / Principal
Carries responsibility for several projects and client relationships.
Partner / Director
Holds ultimate responsibility for clients and the practice.
Career timeline
How long each step takes
Technology & digital consulting has a relatively fast career path. The pace differs by firm and individual, and relates to the projects and results you show.
Many consultants stay a few years and then move to a technology company, a digital role in the business or a startup. Those who stay progress toward Manager and eventually partner or director.
Certifications in, for example, cloud, data or a specific system are common in this field and can speed up progression.
| Level | Typical time in role |
|---|---|
| Consultant | 2 to 3 years |
| Senior Consultant | 2 to 4 years |
| Manager | 2 to 4 years |
| Partner | top level, 10+ years in total |
Compensation
Compensation in technology & digital consulting
Compensation usually consists of a fixed salary that rises with seniority, and at many firms a bonus tied to individual and firm performance. Technology & digital consulting pays well, though starting salaries are typically a little below those of the strategy houses.
The ranges below are general indications for larger technology and consulting firms, and do not apply specifically to any particular firm. Actual pay varies by firm, background and year, and is listed where known in the individual vacancies on this site.
From partner or director level, the nature of compensation changes, tied more closely to your own client portfolio and the results of the firm as a whole.
| Level | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Consultant | €45.000 – €65.000 |
| Senior Consultant | €65.000 – €95.000 |
| Manager | €100.000 – €150.000 |
| Partner / Director | €200.000 – €500.000+ |
Ranges are general indications for larger technology and consulting firms, not specific to any particular firm. See the vacancy pages for concrete salary figures where a firm publishes them.
A day in the life
A typical day for a junior consultant
The day often starts with a short team stand-up on progress and the day's tasks. After that, much of the time goes into analysis, design or testing a solution, in close cooperation with the client and the technical team.
A technology & digital consultant constantly switches between the business and the technology: what the client wants has to be translated into something that works technically. That requires a lot of alignment and clear communication.
On a day with a demo or delivery, the pace shifts: the team gets the solution ready, shows the results to the client and works the feedback into the next iteration.
Juniors
What junior consultants do
Junior consultants carry much of the analysis, design and testing work a digital project rests on, under the supervision of a Manager.
- Mapping needs and processes
- Helping design solutions
- Gathering and analysing data
- Configuring and testing
- Writing documentation
- Preparing demos
- Joining agile ceremonies
- Supporting the client with implementation
Much of this work goes back and forth in short iterations within the team and with the client. That repetition is not inefficiency, it is how a junior consultant learns what really works in practice.
Skills
Skills you will need
Technical affinity gets the most attention, but the consultants who stay longest often stand out for the ability to translate technology into what the business gains from it.
Getting in
How you get into technology & digital consulting
The routes are broader than in strategy consulting: alongside business and economics degrees, students from technical and computer-science programmes also enter. An affinity with technology is a plus.
Preparation
How to prepare as a student
Preparation works best when it starts well before the application. Firms test your analysis and your feel for technology, and whether you can explain clearly.
Compare
Technology & Digital versus other paths
These paths sometimes overlap, which is why students mix them up. The distinction mainly lies in the type of work and how close you sit to the technology.
Technology & Digital vs Strategy Consulting
Strategy decides an organisation's choices. Technology & digital designs and builds the digital solutions that follow from them.
Technology & Digital vs Data & Analytics
Data & analytics focuses specifically on data and models. Technology & digital is broader and covers systems, cloud and ways of working.
Technology & Digital vs Operations Consulting
Operations improves processes and execution. Technology & digital often does so with technology as the engine of change.
Technology consulting vs a software engineer role
A software engineer mainly builds. A technology consultant sits closer to the client and connects the technology to the business.
Technology consulting vs an in-house IT role
An in-house role works for a single organisation. As a consultant you work for many clients and see many different solutions in a short time.
Employers
Technology and digital firms in the Netherlands
A selection of technology and digital consulting firms with an office in the Netherlands. We only name firms whose practice is confirmed.
In addition, the strategy houses and the Big Four have their own digital and technology units, and many technology professionals work in-house at a tech company.
Global technology and consulting firms
Digital transformation firms
Strategy and innovation firms with a digital practice
Vacancies
Technology & digital vacancies
We only show real, current openings with a link to the employer. Internships, traineeships and consultant roles appear here. In the meantime, browse all current vacancies.
View all vacanciesResources
Recommended resources
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is technology & digital consulting?
It is the advisory field around digital transformation and technology: consultants advise on digital strategy and help build and implement it.
Do I need a technical degree?
No. Students come from business, economics and technical programmes. Affinity with technology and analytical ability matter more than the exact field of study.
What does a technology consultant do day to day?
Consultants map needs, design and implement solutions, work with data and agile teams, and guide change at the client.
What is the difference with a software engineer?
A software engineer mainly builds, while a technology consultant sits closer to the client and connects the technology to what the business needs.
Do I need to be able to code?
For some roles yes and for others no. For most consulting roles, affinity with technology matters more than deep programming skill.
How much do you earn in technology & digital consulting?
It pays well, though starting salaries are typically a little below those of the strategy houses. Actual pay varies by firm and is listed where known in the vacancies on this site.
What skills do you need?
Analytical thinking, technical affinity, problem-solving, communication and the ability to translate technology into the business.
How do I get into this field as a student?
Go deep on a technology, do a relevant internship, optionally build something yourself, and apply via campus or the firm's website.
Related
Related consulting paths
Start your journey in technology & digital consulting
Browse open vacancies or discover the other consulting paths.