Early Careers in Consulting: Project Coordinator

Project Coordinator

The Role

You will be responsible for providing support to the Consulting and Project Management teams with all aspects of project management to assist in meeting day-to-day tactical objectives. You will be internally focused, contributing to all elements of budgeting and timelines, and will be responsible for facilitating effective communication with the Consulting team and wider business.

The Candidate

A bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Finance, Business Management, or a Science-related subject is highly advantageous. You will have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and be comfortable working within tight deadlines.

 

Meet Edmond, Project Coordinator in Consulting

What prompted you to pursue an opportunity in coordinating projects for the Consulting team?

I’ve always enjoyed a challenge and ongoing education. Being a project coordinator means I constantly have the chance to collaborate with new people, as well as gain exposure to new areas of learning. Of course, there are challenges along the way that keep me on my toes, but I find it very rewarding when a project is delivered and the client is satisfied. I also really enjoy working in a team environment. As a project coordinator, you never work in isolation—your team will always be there to support you and vice versa.

Describe your role as a Project Coordinator in three words.

Flexible, proactive, people-oriented.

Describe your academic background and which transferable skills you have leveraged the most in your role.

I have a business degree and a master’s degree in project management, which is certainly advantageous to this role. However, I believe industry/project management experience is equally important. My previous work experience continues to play a critical role in my daily operation as a project coordinator, especially when it comes to stakeholder management. I’ve also learned the importance of adapting to one’s environment, and I believe this has become my biggest strength in an industry that is constantly evolving.

What are your top three tips for someone who may be looking to start a career as a project coordinator in a healthcare communications agency?

1. Do the research! It’s important to understand the various case studies consulting teams work on (Avalere Health’s website has several good examples).
2. During the interview process, select one project you’ve previously worked on to showcase your relevant experiences and abilities.
3. Familiarize yourself with some basic project management terminology—for example, what do “agile” and “SCRUM” mean and what are their differences?

How would you describe your career experience at Avalere Health so far?

Avalere Health supports employees in all aspects of their careers. I had a very smooth onboarding experience when I first joined the company and was assigned a work-buddy within the Consulting team. I found the buddy program extremely helpful, particularly in a hybrid working setting. There is also a real emphasis on career experience at Avalere Health. Among other initiatives, the company provides us with access to Coursera, which is a platform that allows us the freedom to enroll in any course we like, anytime and anywhere! I personally enjoyed enrolling in “Drug Development Product Management” as I’m eager to learn more about this industry. I also love the working environment at Avalere Health. I’m based in our London office, which throws weekly social events. It’s a great way to encourage employees to get to know one another in a relaxed and friendly setting.

 

Other entry-level roles in Consulting include: Associate Consultant.