Summer DDA Associate - 2027

LEK; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

L.E.K. Consulting is seeking a Summer DDA Associate to apply data science to business problems in our Digital, Data, & AI team. You'll train, then work 1–2 projects across summer, handling data acquisition, modeling and client-ready analyses.

You'll collaborate with consultants and data scientists on live client work, delivering insights and visualizations. Hybrid schedule applies to U.S. offices.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in applied data science, including machine learning, generative AI/LLM and agentic AI applications, statistical modeling and analysis.
• Proficiency in Python, common data science and AI/ML libraries and SQL.
• Experience with data lifecycle: acquisition, cleaning, analysis, modeling and visualization.
• Strong problem‑solving and communication skills; translate business questions into analysis.
• Strong academic achievement, initiative and collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

• Acquire, clean, manipulate and analyze structured and unstructured data.
• Develop statistical and machine learning models and validate approaches.
• Create visualizations that communicate complex findings clearly.
• Collaborate with consultants and data scientists to translate client questions into analytical approaches.
• Contribute findings to case-team discussions, written presentations and client deliverables.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Computer Science

Statistics

Data Science

Mathematics

Operations Research

Engineering

Economics

Tools

Python

SQL

AI/ML libraries

Pandas

NumPy

Job description

Job Description

About L.E.K. Consulting

L.E.K. Consulting is a premier global strategy consulting firm that partners with clients to solve their most critical business challenges and deliver high-impact outcomes. We bring deep industry expertise and rigorous, evidence-based insight to global corporations, growth companies and private equity investors, helping them turn strategy into action.

How do we deliver impact? It’s the people. We hire exceptional individuals and invest in their growth through hands-on client work, close collaboration and a culture of ownership, inclusion and continuous learning. Across every level, curiosity unites us and challenge excites us.

Founded more than 40 years ago, L.E.K. employs more than 2,200 professionals worldwide and is consistently recognized as one of the industry's best firms to work for. For more information, visit lek.com.

Job Description:

If you are a bright, motivated undergraduate student graduating in 2028 and interested in applying data science to complex business problems, consider joining L.E.K. as a Summer Associate within our Digital, Data, & AI (DDA) team.

The internship kicks off with a week of training with peers from all of our U.S. offices, where you will learn the fundamentals of what it takes to be a successful Associate at L.E.K. At the conclusion of training, you will spend the next ~8 weeks in your home office doing real DDA casework as a part of a team.

As a Summer DDA Associate, you will gain hands‑on experience as a Data Scientist intern within our DDA team. You will be dedicated 100% to a single project and can expect to be on 1-2 projects over the course of the summer. You will be staffed on client case teams alongside L.E.K. Consultants and Data Scientists, applying advanced analytics and data science techniques to solve complex business problems. While casework varies every day, a Summer DDA Associate’s primary responsibilities typically include:

• Acquire, clean, manipulate and analyze structured and unstructured data
• Conduct exploratory analysis and develop statistical and machine-learning models
• Validate analytical approaches and translate outputs into meaningful business insights
• Create visualizations that communicate complex findings clearly
• Collaborate with Consultants and Data Scientists to translate client questions into analytical approaches
• Contribute findings to case-team discussions, written presentations and client deliverables

L.E.K. offers associates the broadest range of fast-paced, high-impact, and diverse cases for maximum learning. In addition, you can expect to participate in the following throughout the summer:

• Weekly check-in meetings with your case team Manager to discuss your experience and feedback
• Professional development sessions, including sector introductory lunches
• A program of formal mentoring
• Fun social events with the entire office

L.E.K. offers Summer DDA Associates very competitive compensation and benefits. High-performing Summer DDA Associates may be considered for opportunities to return to L.E.K. as full‑time members of the DDA team following graduation, along with additional bonus incentives.

WHY L.E.K.?

The Summer DDA Associate role at L.E.K. is differentiated from other firms in several key ways:

• Immediate technical responsibility: Apply data science to live client problems from the beginning.
• Business impact: Work at the intersection of advanced analytics and strategy, with analyses directly informing client decisions.
• Breadth of problems: Apply data science across industries, datasets and business questions rather than working on one product/problem.
• Integrated teams: Work alongside consultants and DDA specialists, building both technical and commercial problem‑solving skills.
• Development: Receive regular feedback, mentorship and exposure to L.E.K.'s broader consulting environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

We do not use a rigid checklist – L.E.K. hires Summer DDA Associates with backgrounds in Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Operations Research, Engineering, Economics, or other quantitative disciplines.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• A strong foundation in applied data science, including machine learning, generative AI/LLM and agentic AI applications, statistical modeling and analysis
• Proficiency in Python, common data science and AI/ML libraries and SQL
• Experience working with data across the analytical lifecycle, including data acquisition, cleaning and manipulation, exploratory analysis, model development and validation, and visualization
• Strong problem‑solving and communication skills, including the ability to translate business questions into analytical approaches and explain technical findings clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences
• Strong academic achievement, initiative, intellectual curiosity and ability to collaborate effectively

Additional Information:

• The expected salary for this position is $1,850 weekly during the course of the summer internship.
• This role follows our hybrid work model for U.S. offices. We require employees to be in their assigned home office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week, as well as the first Friday of each month.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without the need for employer sponsorship. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider candidates requiring visa sponsorship, including but not limited to H-1B, TN, F-1 (OPT/CPT/STEM), or other work authorization.
• L.E.K. Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
• In accordance with applicable state and local laws, we will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances.