Experienced Associate, Industry Specialty Services

BDO USA; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Job summary

BDO USA's Industry Specialty Services Group seeks an Experienced Associate to deliver advisory services for nonprofit and grantmaker organizations. The role focuses on organizational strategy, process improvement, technology transformation, and change management across diverse missions and geographies.

The team collaborates with clients to enhance operational excellence, modernize technology, and drive impact, with client input at every engagement stage. Occasional travel up to 20% is expected.

Qualifications

• One or more years of demonstrated experience in management consulting or advisory services.
• Experience serving nonprofit organizations is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Executes defined tasks within advisory engagements including strategy, process improvement, and technology transformation.
• Documents current-state processes through interviews and material review.
• Prepares drafts of reports, slides, and memos for review by senior team members.
• Supports change enablement activities with training materials and adoption tracking.
• Contributes to performance indicators, dashboards, and reporting.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Project management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field

MBA or MPA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data visualization tools

Job description

Job Summary

An Experienced Associate in the Industry Specialty Services Group provides professional advisory services that are sensitive to the needs and values of nonprofit and grantmaker organizations. This is a unique opportunity for a mission-oriented professional who wants to leverage their organizational strategy, consulting, and business transformation expertise to support these mission-driven organizations across many mission areas and geographic reach.

The team is a growth-oriented consulting practice dedicated to building the capacity of nonprofit and grantmaker organizations. We partner with organizations to help them attain operational excellence, sharpen organizational strategy, improve business processes, modernize technology, navigate change, and effectively achieve their desired impact. Our collaborative approach includes client input and involvement at each stage of an engagement.

Job Duties

Service Delivery

• Executes defined tasks and components within advisory and consulting engagements, including organizational strategy, business process improvement, technology transformation, and change management
• Conducts research and gathers data to inform the development of client policies, procedures, and operating models
• Documents current-state processes, workflows, and organizational structures through interviews, observation, and review of client materials
• Performs analysis of client data and information, organizing findings into structured formats such as spreadsheets, process maps, and summary tables
• Prepares first drafts of engagement components, including sections of reports, presentation slides, memos, and correspondence, for review by senior team members
• Captures and documents meeting notes, action items, and stakeholder input, and maintains engagement documentation and version control
• Assists in the assessment of technology solutions by compiling requirements, researching vendors, and summarizing options for evaluation
• Supports change enablement activities by drafting communications, preparing training materials, and tracking adoption metrics under direction
• Compiles inputs for performance indicators, dashboards, and effectiveness reporting
• Supports financial modeling by populating templates, validating data inputs, and performing defined calculations

Project Management

• Tracks assigned tasks, timelines, and deliverables within a workstream and escalates risks or delays to senior team members
• Coordinates logistics for client meetings and working sessions, including scheduling, materials preparation, and follow-up documentation

Practice and Service Development

• Contributes to internal initiatives and monthly meetings by preparing materials and researching topics that support the development of services for nonprofit organizations

Professional Development

• Builds foundational consulting skills and industry knowledge, applies feedback from senior team members, and progressively takes on components of greater complexity

Supervisory Responsibilities

• N/A

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Leadership or Development, Management, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Information Technology, Data Analytics, Human Resources Management, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or Communications, preferred
• MBA or MPA, preferred

Experience

• One (1) or more years of demonstrated experience in management consulting, advisory services, organizational strategy, business process improvement, or technology transformation, preferably serving nonprofit organizations, required

License/Certification

• N/A

Software

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, required
• Experience with project management, collaboration, and data visualization / dashboarding tools, preferred

Language(s)

• N/A

Other Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex information and present findings to a variety of audiences
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Familiarity with organizational strategy, business process improvement, technology transformation, and change management concepts
• Awareness of how AI and automation are reshaping workflows, roles, and adoption in mission-driven organizations
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including but not limited to the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

National Range: $75,000 - $90,000

Maryland Range: $75,000 - $90,000

NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $75,000 - $90,000

About Us

At BDO, how we show up matters. We build strong relationships by supporting one another, our clients, and our communities with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Here, you’ll find meaningful work, leaders invested in your success, and opportunities to build a career around what matters most to you.

Our purpose is to be the people our clients count on to grow with confidence and achieve what matters most. Our values guide how we bring that purpose to life each day. Together, they shape how we work with one another, serve our clients, and create meaningful impact.

BDO provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients across the U.S. and around the world. No matter your role, you’ll be part of a team helping clients navigate complexity and move forward with clarity.

We are proud to be an ESOP company, offering participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well‑being. As a qualified retirement plan, the ESOP is a meaningful addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. It also reinforces an ownership mindset that strengthens our connection to one another, our clients, and the future we’re building together.

Learn more about our benefits: BDO Total Rewards encompass more than traditional benefits. Click here to find out more !

• Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets

Click here to find out more !

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

`"BDO USA, P.A. is an EO employer M/F/Veteran/Disability"`