Director of Consulting

Lead client consulting engagements from kickoff through final delivery, overseeing project strategy, team execution, and client relationships.

This opportunity is a part-time, volunteer leadership experience with Appalachia Advisory, a chartered non-profit corporation supporting underserved small business owners across Appalachia through pro bono consulting engagements.

As a Director of Consulting, you will oversee 1–2 client engagements at a time, each consisting of a Team Lead and approximately 4–5 Consulting Analysts. Directors are responsible for ensuring teams produce high-quality, actionable recommendations while providing mentorship and strategic guidance throughout each ~8 week engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee 1–2 client consulting projects holistically from initial scoping through final recommendations
• Manage and mentor Team Leads responsible for the day-to-day execution of each engagement
• Guide teams in structuring client problems, developing hypotheses, conducting analyses, and translating findings into actionable recommendations
• Review and provide feedback on analyses, presentations, and client deliverables to maintain a high standard of quality
• Participate in key client meetings and help Team Leads manage client communication, expectations, and project scope
• Identify project risks, roadblocks, and gaps in analysis and work with teams to resolve them
• Ensure projects remain on schedule and that workstreams align with the client's highest-priority business objectives
• Support the professional development of Team Leads and Analysts through mentorship, feedback, and consulting guidance

Ideal Candidates

Experienced student leaders and young professionals who are strong analytical problem solvers, effective communicators, and confident team managers. Ideal candidates should be comfortable providing strategic direction, reviewing others' work, interacting directly with clients, and mentoring developing consultants.

We are specifically seeking individuals who are passionate about our mission, supporting small businesses, and advancing social impact initiatives that create meaningful change in marginalized communities.

Previous experience in consulting, strategy, finance, business analysis, entrepreneurship, or project leadership is preferred.

What You’ll Gain

• Engagement leadership: Own the strategic direction and quality of multiple real-world consulting projects
• Client management experience: Build experience managing relationships with small business owners and presenting directly to decision-makers
• Team leadership: Mentor Team Leads and Analysts while overseeing teams of approximately 5–6 consultants per engagement
• Consulting development: Strengthen skills in problem structuring, strategy, operations, market analysis, and executive communication
• Professional network: Collaborate with a diverse network of students, young professionals, advisors, and industry leaders
• Community impact: Help underserved small businesses access strategic resources and consulting support at no cost

About Us

Gain real consulting experience with real community impact.

Appalachia Advisory is a chartered non-profit corporation in the State of Tennessee. We connect students and young professionals from across the U.S. with small businesses throughout Appalachia, providing strategic consulting support to businesses in under-resourced communities.

Our teams work directly with business owners through ~8 week consulting engagements focused on areas such as strategy, marketing, operations, growth, and organizational enablement.

Our work is entirely pro bono for clients, allowing our members to develop meaningful consulting experience while creating tangible value for the communities we serve.

Position Details

Job Title: Director of Consulting
Position Type: Part-Time / Volunteer Leadership Experience
Location: Remote
Schedule: Part-Time
Expected Time Commitment: Approximately 8 - 10 hours per week
Compensation: Unpaid
Work Authorization: U.S. work authorization not required

Recommended Candidate Background

School Year: Junior, Senior, Graduate Student, or Alumni

Relevant Majors / Backgrounds:
Business Administration & Management, Consulting, Finance, Economics, Business Analytics, Marketing, Management Science, Data Science, Entrepreneurship, or related fields

 Applications Close September 16, 2026 11:59 pm