Greater responsibility, more autonomy – my day‑to‑day life as a Senior Consultant at zeb

If you had to describe your job in one sentence: what is it about in its essence and what topics do you deal with in your day‑to‑day project work?

We essentially help banks solve their problems by structuring them and actively driving change. For me, this primarily happens in the context of integrated performance and risk management. We enhance models and simulations, for example, so that opportunities and risks can be identified and managed earlier and more effectively.

How does your day‑to‑day work as a Senior Consultant differ from that as a Consultant?

As a Senior Consultant, I take on more responsibility for project progress and engage more often independently with stakeholders. This gives me more autonomy and allows me to contribute my knowledge and experience a lot more. However, as responsibility grows, identifying and executing the right next step becomes more challenging, too.

How does your day typically start, and what do you do in the first 30 minutes?

My day usually starts with a coffee. Then I review the articles our research team has compiled that morning, for example from industry journals, on the current state of the financial services industry or on banks we are currently advising. After that, I take stock of upcoming meetings and open items, prioritizing the relevant topics for the day.

What do you do before your first client meeting?

Before each client meeting, I start by clarifying the objective – what we want to achieve – and identifying any open questions that need to be addressed. If I’m unsure about something, I consult with my colleagues beforehand. At times, however, I deliberately place such questions at the top of the meeting agenda.

What are the most stressful moments for you and what routines help you stay calm and effective?

The most stressful moments arise when a project stalls and discussions go in circles. In such phases, I make a conscious effort to unwind by meeting friends, going for a mountain-bike ride or reading a book. This helps me clear my head so I can return to the task with greater focus.

What do you enjoy most as part of your day-to-day routine?

I don’t follow a fixed routine, as my work depends heavily on the issues at hand, and these change constantly. It is precisely this variety that makes the role so appealing. And closing my laptop after a successful day is, of course, always a rewarding highlight.