SEI Consulting Firm Profile: History, Careers, Opportunities

SEI Consulting is a well-known boutique consulting firm that attracts candidates interested in a people first culture, local staffing model, and strong work-life balance. If you are exploring SEI Consulting careers or evaluating whether the firm is the right fit, understanding its history, operating model, interview process, and compensation can help you make an informed decision. This guide outlines what the firm does, how it works, and what candidates can expect throughout the hiring journey. 

TL;DR – What You Need to Know

SEI Consulting is an employee-owned consulting firm that operates through local staffing, experienced hiring, and long-term client relationships across its US offices.

• The firm evolved from a local staffing model that emphasizes regional expertise and long-term client partnerships.
• SEI careers focus on experienced professionals who contribute directly to client delivery across flat and collaborative teams.
• SEI practice areas include technology enablement, data and analytics, security and compliance, concept to delivery, and strategy and operations.
• Interviews assess skill set, cultural fit, and motivation through structured conversations based on real project experience.
• Compensation starts near one hundred thirty thousand dollars and increases with seniority through performance and employee ownership.

What Is SEI Consulting and How Does the Firm Operate

SEI Consulting is an employee-owned consulting firm that operates with a flat structure and a local staffing model that places consultants with clients in their own cities. This approach reduces travel, strengthens long-term client relationships, and supports consistent project delivery across its regional offices.

SEI Consulting focuses on experienced professionals who integrate quickly into projects and deliver practical results. Because the firm does not hire entry-level candidates, teams work with consultants who already possess relevant experience and can contribute immediately.

The firm’s employee ownership structure gives consultants a direct stake in business outcomes. This increases transparency, accountability, and participation in firm decisions. The flat structure also improves access to leadership and encourages open communication.

Local staffing is a defining feature of SEI’s operating model. Consultants work with clients in their own cities, building deeper relationships and supporting predictable routines. This model also reinforces regional expertise by keeping teams active within local markets.

Key elements of how SEI Consulting operates include:

• A flat organizational structure
• Employee ownership across the firm
• Local staffing that limits weekly travel
• Experienced hiring for fast project integration
• Regional expertise shaped by long-term client partnerships

SEI Consulting History and How the Firm Evolved

SEI Consulting began in 1992 when founder Dan Pierce built a consulting firm based on local staffing, long-term client relationships, and experienced hiring. The firm grew steadily across major US markets while maintaining its people first culture and practical delivery approach.

Pierce launched SEI in Cincinnati with a belief that consultants deliver stronger outcomes when they live in the same city as their clients. This idea shaped the firm’s approach to relationships, staffing, and team structure.

As SEI expanded, it added new practice areas in technology, analytics, operations, and strategy. The shift to full employee ownership further strengthened the firm’s collaborative culture and alignment around long-term success.

SEI now operates in more than ten US cities and continues to grow through deliberate expansion, experienced hiring, and strong regional reputations. Throughout this evolution, the firm has maintained its commitment to client partnerships and practical consulting work.

Key milestones in SEI’s growth include:

• Founding in 1992 in Cincinnati
• Expansion into major US cities
• Development of multidisciplinary practice areas
• Adoption of an employee owned model
• Continued focus on long-term client relationships

What Makes SEI Consulting a Good Firm to Work For

SEI Consulting is considered a strong place to work because it offers a people-first environment, a flat structure, and a local staffing model that reduces travel. Consultants build long-term client relationships while maintaining stable routines and predictable schedules.

The firm’s culture emphasizes collaboration and respect. Teams are composed of experienced professionals who bring a mature, thoughtful approach to client work. This creates an environment where you can contribute meaningfully without navigating steep learning curves.

Employee ownership adds another layer of connection to the firm. Consultants share in the organization’s success and participate in decisions that shape office culture and long-term growth.

Key reasons professionals enjoy working at SEI include:

• Local staffing that supports balanced work routines
• A collaborative and mature professional culture
• A flat structure with access to leadership
• Employee ownership that encourages long-term commitment
• Predictable travel and consistent client relationships

SEI Consulting Careers and Roles Explained

SEI Consulting careers focus on experienced professionals who can contribute to client delivery immediately. The firm uses a flat structure with several core roles that shape project execution and firm growth.

The consultant role is central to project delivery. Consultants lead workstreams, manage client interactions, and drive execution. This role offers autonomy and requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Business development managers work on sales, proposals, and pipeline management. They connect client needs with firm capabilities while maintaining strong relationships across markets.

Managing principals oversee multiple engagements and guide consulting teams. They are responsible for delivery quality, stakeholder management, and office level leadership.

Managing directors support growth across multiple offices or regions. Their responsibilities include strategy, mentorship, and long-term planning.

Vice presidents manage broad areas of the firm, overseeing financial performance, delivery standards, and organizational direction.

Career advancement at SEI is based on meaningful contribution rather than rigid timelines. Growth depends on client impact, leadership, business development, and cultural alignment.

SEI Consulting Practice Areas and Service Capabilities

SEI organizes its work into five practice areas that cover both business and technology consulting. These capabilities allow the firm to support wide ranging transformation and modernization efforts.

Concept to Delivery

Covers change management, design thinking, product planning, rapid prototyping, and end to end solution delivery. This practice focuses on aligning people, processes, and technology.

Technology Enablement

Includes application development, Agile Transformation, DevOps, and cloud adoption. Consultants help clients modernize technology and improve delivery methods.

Data and Analytics

Involves data strategy, governance, engineering, visualization, and advanced analytics. Teams support clients transitioning to data-driven decision-making.

Security and Compliance

Covers risk management, training, business resilience, and compliance strategy. This area helps organizations strengthen security and regulatory readiness.

Strategy and Operations

Supports M&A, organizational design, operational transformation, and process improvement. Consultants improve structures, workflows, and performance across clients.

These practice areas give consultants exposure to diverse industries and complex problem-solving.

Industries SEI Consulting Serves Across the United States

SEI Consulting works with clients across multiple industries, including consumer products, financial services, healthcare, education, government, infrastructure, and enterprise technology. The firm’s local staffing model supports regional expertise and long-term client partnerships.

Consumer companies often engage SEI for product transformation, digital work, and operational improvements. Financial services clients rely on SEI for data modernization and regulatory initiatives.

Healthcare organizations partner with the firm on analytics, operations, and modernization efforts. Government and education clients engage SEI for technology upgrades, program management, and data work.

Infrastructure and enterprise technology clients rely on the firm for workflow optimization, modernization, and strategy support.

SEI Consulting Locations and Where the Firm Operates

SEI Consulting operates in more than ten US cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington DC. Consultants work locally, supporting clients within their regional markets.

Each office reflects the firm’s people first model and focuses on long-term relationships with local clients. The geographic footprint allows SEI to operate nationally while preserving strong regional reputations.

Because consultants remain in their home markets, they develop deeper understanding of industry trends, competitive dynamics, and local business challenges.

SEI Consulting Interview Process and What Candidates Can Expect

SEI Consulting evaluates candidates through a structured interview process that focuses on skill set, cultural fit, and motivation. The firm does not rely heavily on traditional case interviews and instead emphasizes real project experience.

Skill Set Interview: This conversation evaluates technical strengths, problem-solving approaches, and your ability to deliver client value. Candidates discuss previous work, specific contributions, and measurable outcomes.

Cultural Fit Interview: This stage assesses communication style, teamwork, and alignment with SEI’s people first culture. Candidates explain how they work with teams, manage clients, and build relationships.

Motivation Interview: This conversation explores long-term fit, including why candidates want to join SEI, how they view the local staffing model, and how their goals align with the firm’s structure.

To prepare, candidates should:

• Review key project examples and measurable results
• Practice articulating collaboration and communication style
• Understand SEI’s experienced hiring model
• Explain interest in long-term work within local markets

Does SEI Consulting Pay Well and How Much Consultants Earn

SEI Consulting salaries start around one hundred thirty thousand dollars per year for experienced hires. Compensation increases with seniority and includes opportunities for additional ownership based financial benefits through the firm’s employee ownership structure.

Because SEI does not hire new graduates, starting pay reflects the experience required to join the firm. Consultants earn competitive base salaries, and leadership roles include higher pay with performance incentives.

Ownership opportunities create long-term financial upside for employees who perform well and contribute to the firm's continued growth.

SEI Consulting Internships and Early Career Opportunities

SEI offers limited internship opportunities, primarily in data and analytics. Interns complete structured modules in data strategy, engineering, visualization, and analysis before applying their skills to a real-world capstone project.

The most consistent program is in the Washington DC office. Other offices may offer occasional internships, such as roles in talent acquisition.

Because the firm focuses on experienced hiring, internships serve as exposure opportunities rather than standard entry points.

SEI Consulting Exit Opportunities and Alumni Paths

SEI Consulting exit opportunities include roles in larger consulting firms, major technology companies, client organizations, and independent consulting. Alumni often transition into leadership positions due to their hands-on experience and mature project background.

Many move into strategy, operations, analytics, or transformation roles within technology companies. Others join client organizations they supported during their time at SEI. Some professionals launch their own consulting practices, drawing on regional relationships and delivery experience built during their tenure at the firm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does SEI Consulting do?
A: SEI Consulting provides business and technology consulting services through practice areas such as technology enablement, data and analytics, strategy and operations, and concept to delivery. The firm focuses on practical execution and long-term client partnerships.

Q: Is SEI Consulting a good firm to work for?
A: SEI Consulting is considered a good firm to work for due to its people first culture, local staffing model, employee ownership, and emphasis on experienced professionals.

Q: How much do SEI consultants make?
A: SEI consultants typically earn salaries starting near one hundred thirty thousand dollars, with higher compensation for senior roles based on performance and experience.

Q: Who owns SEI Consulting?
A: SEI Consulting is fully owned by its employees through an established employee ownership structure that shapes decision-making and long-term firm alignment.

Q: How many employees does SEI Consulting have?
A: SEI Consulting has more than three hundred employees across its US offices, reflecting steady growth while maintaining a boutique consulting firm profile.