Manager, Consulting Programs

Company: Bain & Company
Location: Schiller Park
Posted on: January 7, 2026

Job Description:

Description & Requirements What Makes Us a Great Place to Work We are proud to be consistently recognized as one of the world’s best places to work. We are currently the 1 ranked consulting firm on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list and have maintained a spot in the top four on Glassdoor’s list since its founding in 2009. Extraordinary teams are at the heart of our business strategy, but these don’t happen by chance. They require intentional focus on bringing together a broad set of backgrounds, cultures, experiences, perspectives, and skills in a supportive and inclusive work environment. We hire people with exceptional talent and create an environment in which every individual can thrive professionally and personally. Who You’ll Work With This role is a key member of the Chicago Program Management (PM) team that focuses on staffing, professional development, performance evaluation, and employee experience for the Chicago consulting team. This role includes a mix of Program Manager responsibilities as well as PM team operational responsibilities, which require a blend of organizational skills, analytics, effective communication, and high emotional intelligence to drive impactful people results for Bain Chicago. Where You’ll Fit Within the Team This role reports into a Director on the PM team with regular touchpoints across the full PM team, with the HR Partner, the Office Head, the local Human Resources team, and regional HR Operations team. What You’ll Do AC1 Staffing and Program Management AC1 Staffing In partnership with broader PM team, coordinate with case team leadership to understand staffing needs, including nature of assignment, staffing requirements, and support staffing of teams to projects based on understanding of client, office and individual needs. Work with Program Management leadership team and HR Partner to ensure staffing decisions best optimize tradeoffs between client service, utilization and retention, specific to AC1 class. Ensure current capacity at the AC1 level is up to date and accurate as well as support the broader staffing team in determining both short-term and long-term pyramid planning to inform personnel decisions (e.g. transfers, etc.) and weekly GP capacity planning (e.g.: overall current capacity, forecasted capacity). AC1 Program Management Lead onboarding processes and integration of new AC classes into the office. Develop one-on-one relationships with the AC1 cohort to provide guidance and mentoring on career management. Regularly meet with each AC to discuss their career development, goals, objectives, and interests. Make trade-offs between client needs, office utilization and individual needs. Monitor case team assignments to ensure ACs have a variety of consulting projects and diverse experiences. Manage professional development of AC staff throughout their first year. Review all case end and professional development reviews to ensure quality feedback and clear messaging. Manage the First Cycle Review process for AC1 cohort, and in the first ratings cycle, help determine appropriate ratings for individuals in partnership with PD Advisors, Program Management and the Performance Evaluation Committee (PEC). Work with non-traditional AC hires (industry, etc) in a bespoke, customized way based on their pre-Bain experience, their tenure in the role, and their PD – and refine our best practices and approach to how we incorporate new types of employees into our systems. Hold regular AC1 class meetings and trainings; invite relevant parties to ensure ACs are provided relevant content as pertains to their careers. Support Director in similar activities for AC2 and SAC cohorts, maintaining holistic view of (S)AC program learning and development. Coordinate with in-office training leads to help curate local AC training programs, including Pre-ACT and the First Year Training program. Partner with HR on performance management, employee relations and other issues related to employment law, risk and policy matters. Coordinate with HR on transfer process and leaves of absence for ACs. Participate in the development and recommendation operating policy and procedural improvements for AC/Consultant staff. Work with HR on processes impacting including Upward Feedback, Ratings, case-end and consensus reviews, and CTSU. Perform other duties and projects as assigned including leading strategic initiatives such as sustainability task force, AC value proposition, etc. Support of Office Talent operations Talent processes Work with AC Promotion Committee to support promotion decisions Manage the diligence process by setting the calendar, assigning to-dos and reviewing Guardian assignments Develop first pass strawman of promotion outcomes and first pass tailored messaging for ACs Proactively identify areas for process improvement and drive execution across cycles, applying deep functional knowledge of processes PD advisor program Own PD Advisor matching processes Run annual process to gather and collate input on preferences, match preferences and communicate assignments Prepare dashboard of current subscriptions and maintain master reference list Manage ad hoc PD advisor assignments for transfers in as well as assignment of sponsors Monitor program and identify / drive continuous improvement opportunities Coordinate regular cadence of advisor trainings are calendared (e.g. “Advisor BDPs” for those new to the advisor role, “How to use your advisor” for new ACs/Cs) Affinity Group support Own Sponsor matching processes for ACs-SMAPs in relevant Affinity Groups Keep tabs on new starts / promotes who are eligible for a sponsor Run ongoing process to gather and collate input on preferences, match preferences and communicate assignments Ensure Ring of Support check-ins and individual sponsor/sponsee check-ins are happening and have the right participants. Plan and deliver ongoing training for sponsors and sponsees Coordinate with the Program Management teams to prepare for and facilitate the regularly occurring Affinity group pulse check meetings (e.g. reach out to sponsors for updates, work with Program Managers to establish priorities, arrange for required content) Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities for sponsorship programs (e.g. via regular surveys of sponsors and sponsorees) About You Bachelor’s Degree is required A minimum of 6 years of professional experience is required in human capital and/or program management, preferably at a professional services firm Deep knowledge of Bain & Company is preferable Strong ownership for areas of responsibility, excellent organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail and strong customer service orientation Ability to work with limited supervision and a knack for staying on-track of multiple timelines, processes and competing demands (“self-starter”) Proven track record of designing, developing and implementing streamlined, repeatable and innovative processes that create clarity and alignment for stakeholders Strong analytical mindset and business acumen Outstanding interpersonal and strong written/verbal communication skills; able to confidently communicate with senior leaders Ability to handle highly confidential information in a professional manner Extensive experience with Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint is required U.S. Compensation Information Compensation for this role includes base salary, annual discretionary performance bonus, 401(k) plan with an annual employer contribution based on years of service and Bain’s best in class benefits package (details listed below). Some local governments in the United States require a good-faith, reasonable salary range to be included in job postings for open roles. The estimated annualized compensation for this role is as follows: - In Chicago, IL, the good-faith, reasonable annualized full-time salary range for this role is between $145,000-174,500; placement within this range will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to experience, education, licensure/certifications, training and skill level - Annual discretionary performance bonus - This role may also be eligible for other elements of discretionary compensation - 4.5% 401(k) company contribution, which increases after 3 years of service and is 100% vested upon start date Bain & Companys comprehensive benefits and wellness program is designed to help employees achieve personal independence, protection and stability in the areas most important to you and your family. - Bain pays 100% individual employee premiums for medical, dental and vision programs, offering one of the most comprehensive medical plans for employees without impacting your paycheck - Generous paid time off, including parental leave, sick leave and paid holidays - Fully vested 401(k) company contribution - Paid Life and Long-Term Disability insurance - Annual fitness reimbursements

Keywords: Bain & Company, Wheaton , Manager, Consulting Programs, Human Resources , Schiller Park, Illinois