Job Description
Associates in Foresight independently lead workstreams that translate emerging external signals into clear strategic implications for clients and for the firm. The role combines client-facing strategic advisory with thought leadership and asset building, helping shape Kearney’s perspective on the future of business, policy, and society. Associates contribute across one or more Foresight domains while collaborating across the broader Foresight agenda.
The role is expected to balance strategic advisory and thought leadership contributions, with exposure to topics across geopolitical dynamics, geoeconomics, technology and innovation, environment, and social/public policy.
Key responsibilities:
Workstream Leadership and Delivery
Independently structures and leads workstreams, defining key questions, hypotheses, analytical approach, and outputs.
Identifies the most effective and efficient approach to solve complex problems, including where data is incomplete, ambiguous, or evolving.
Develops and manages clear workplans, ensuring outputs are timely, decision-relevant, and of professional quality.
Foresight and Insight Generation
Conducts and synthesizes research on global macro trends, geopolitical risk, policy shifts, technological disruption, environmental change, and other emerging external signals relevant to client agendas.
Applies foresight methodologies such as horizon scanning, scenario development, uncertainty framing, Delphi, Three Horizons, and cross-impact analysis to generate differentiated insights.
Translation to Strategy and Client Impact
Supports and increasingly leads the integration of foresight into client problem solving, workshops, briefings, and strategic advisory engagements.
Thought Leadership and Asset Building
Contributes to the development of white papers, reports, executive briefings, and other thought leadership that elevate Kearney’s market voice.
Develops intellectual capital into reusable frameworks, methodologies, assets, or briefs that can be applied across teams, regions, and clients.
Helps convert insight into scalable offerings and differentiated foresight-led propositions.
Stakeholder, Team, and Network Management
Builds effective relationships across project teams, practices, and Foresight colleagues, and collaborates in an inclusive, high-performing way.
Builds and maintains a network of relevant internal and external experts, including academics, policy thinkers, and subject matter specialists where relevant.
Commercial Contribution and Firm Building
Contributes to proposal development and opportunity shaping by using foresight to frame client issues and differentiate Kearney’s perspective.
Identifies opportunities to extend current work and helps position foresight capabilities as competitive differentiators in client pursuits.
Actively contributes to Foresight capability building, internal knowledge development, and broader firm initiatives.
Invests in continuous personal and professional development to deepen domain expertise and increase impact over time
Who you are:
Previous experience:
Typically 3–7 years of prior experience in consulting, strategy, public policy, economics, research, or another well-respected environment relevant to Foresight
Relevant functional experience may include strategy, transformation, policy, economics, geopolitical analysis, technology, sustainability, or related fields
Communication:
Clearly articulates complex ideas, insights, and implications in a concise and confident manner for internal and client audiences
Tailors communication style to executives, client teams, and expert stakeholders as appropriate.
Writes clear, succinct, logical, and compelling communications, including presentations, briefings, and thought leadership content.
Education:
MBA, MSc, MPP, PhD, or equivalent advanced degree preferred
Strong academic grounding in strategy, economics, international affairs, political economy, public policy, technology, sustainability, or related fields is a plus
Other requirements:
English
