Organizational Development Consultant Career Explained
Business owners and team leaders are always looking for ways to work more efficiently, communicate more clearly, and serve clients more ably. Often, the best way to identify opportunities for improvement is to bring in a fresh set of eyes. Organizational development consultants can not only provide fresh perspectives but also share data-based analysis to help organizations function at a higher level.
For those with a passion for process improvement and who have an educational background in organizational leadership or a related field, this can be a highly rewarding career path.
What Is an Organizational Development Consultant?
Organizational development consultants are typically experts in a specific area, providing their insight, analysis, and perspective to other organizations within the field. These consultants can be brought in to address specific challenges or simply to offer general ideas for improving process efficiency. Consultants may assess a company through research, close-up observation, or analysis of internal data. Based on these data points, they’ll share a strategic plan, including actionable insights that the organization can execute.
Typically, organizational development consultants are brought in as third-party contractors. This position can be especially rewarding for those who want to see the inside of many different organizations as opposed to remaining with a single organization for an extended period of time.
Organizational Development Consultant Job Description
- While the specific duties and responsibilities of the role can vary, a typical job description might include the following:
- Providing an assessment of business policies, structures, procedures, and resource allocations
- Advising executives and other leaders about how to develop cost-effective strategies for improved performance
- Interviewing personnel and assessing their skills to identify potential skill gaps
- Collaborating with human resources departments for recruiting and staffing initiatives
- Recommending ways to restructure organizations for improved efficiency
- Conducting focus groups, surveys, and other forms of research to better assess business performance
Organizational Development Consultant Specializations
Some consultants provide broad expertise in organizational leadership, working with businesses of all types. However, consultants generally specialize. Some of the most typical areas for specialization include the following:
- Business operations
- Environmental impact
- Employee development
- Financial services
- Marketing
- Public relations
- Technology implementation
Organizational Development Consultant Salary and Job Outlook
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t provide exact data for organizational development consultants, it does cover the overarching category of management analysts. In 2023, these analysts earned a median annual salary of $99,410. Many different factors can affect the salary, including level of education and years of experience.
The BLS forecasts job growth of 11% for management analysts between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average for all professions.
How to Become an Organizational Development Consultant
To succeed in this profession, cultivating the right skills and subject matter expertise is important. This involves a combination of formal training and on-the-job experience.
Education
Success in this field usually begins with a bachelor’s degree in a particular area of specialization or a general field related to business management or development. While earning a graduate-level degree in organizational leadership isn’t usually required, it can not only provide a broader range of skills but also potentially lead to more senior-level and higher-paying jobs.
Experience
Consultants typically have several years of experience working in a business setting, ideally divided between a few different organizations within their chosen field. This provides them with a higher level of insight and the ability to address various professional issues with greater authority.
Skills Formation
Through this combination of education and experience, aspiring consultants should foster a rich set of core competencies, including the following:
- Analytic thinking
- Attention to detail
- Written and oral communication
- Time management
- Multitasking
Prepare for Success as an Organizational Development Consultant
For those who desire to help different kinds of organizations succeed, becoming an organizational development consultant can be a rewarding career path. An important first step is seeking formal education in a related field.
At Claremont Lincoln University, we offer an online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MOL), providing students with both robust theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills they can use to help companies thrive. Our program is designed to ensure a breadth of expertise that can translate into many different industries, making it an especially good choice for those seeking a path into consulting.
With the option to choose a concentration in healthcare, human resources, management, professional studies, or sustainability, you can tailor your education to your specific goals. Plus, with both a part-time track that leads to graduation in 26 months and a full-time option that leads to graduation in 13 months, the program allows you to decide how an advanced education fits with your work and family obligations.
Find out how we can help you meet your career goals today.
Claremont Lincoln University is a non-profit university offering affordable online degrees, graduate certificates, and professional development programs. Through a socially conscious education framework, CLU’s mission is to create a new leadership ecosystem through its proprietary Claremont Core®, a distinctive model that encompasses the knowledge needed to become an effective leader of positive change in the workplace or community. CLU is regionally accredited by the highly regarded WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which ensures institutions meet strict standards and fulfill their missions to serve their students and the public good. Degree programs at CLU focus on healthcare administration, human resources, organizational leadership, management, professional studies, public administration, social impact, and sustainability leadership.
Claremont Lincoln University is the university of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a non-profit global thought leader solving social, environmental, and economic challenges. Together, we are mobilizing leaders worldwide to tackle the most pressing climate, land, water, finance, housing, infrastructure, and other issues.
