Behind Simon-Kucher’s global consulting business is a diverse network of corporate functions teams whose expertise is essential to how our firm operates and grows. At Simon-Kucher, our corporate functions colleagues provide the structure, expertise, and processes that allow our consulting teams to deliver meaningful impact for clients around the world.
In this article, we would like to give you a closer look at corporate functions careers at Simon-Kucher, the variety of roles available, and how you can prepare for interviews in these areas.
The role of corporate functions in a global firm
At Simon-Kucher, our corporate functions teams support our operations and strategic priorities across countries and business areas. Many of these roles involve close collaboration with international stakeholders and contributing to cross-country initiatives.
We see corporate functions as an integral part of how we work every day. These teams help create consistent processes and smooth coordination while contributing to a positive experience for candidates, employees, and clients across our global organization.
Our Spanish HR team emphasizes the long-term perspective when it comes to careers in corporate functions:
 | “Our corporate functions are essential to how the business performs every day. We are especially interested in professionals who want to stay, grow with the company, and play a meaningful role in helping the organization reach higher levels of excellence.” Ines Cubillo, Senior HR Coordinator, Madrid |
Key corporate functions areas and roles
At Simon-Kucher, our corporate functions teams are key to how we operate and grow globally. These areas bring together a wide range of expertise and offer different ways to contribute to the success of the firm.
Corporate functions at Simon-Kucher include, among others:
- IT & Digital team ensuring reliable systems infrastructure, data security, digital tools, and user support that enable smooth collaboration across teams and locations.
- Finance & Controlling team supporting with budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial governance, helping us make informed and responsible business decisions.
- Human Resources, a broad area that covers employer branding, recruiting, onboarding, learning & career development, learning initiatives, and any other processes that support our employees throughout their journey with us.
- Marketing & Communications focusing on brand positioning, content creation, event management, market communication, and visual design that strengthen our global presence.
- Operations & Office Management team overseeing office operations, vendor management, and internal coordination, contributing to an efficient and well-organized working environment.
- Legal & Compliance supporting contract management, regulatory topics, and risk mitigation, helping us operate with integrity and transparency.
- Business Services & PMO-type roles focusing on process improvement, internal projects, and cross-functional coordination, ensuring that our organization continues to evolve and improve.
- Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) team supporting Simon-Kucher’s commitment to creating a positive impact for our planet, our people, our communities, and our clients, driving sustainability and social impact in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
- Inclusion & Belonging team helping create a workplace where everyone feels they belong, can grow, and knows their work makes a difference, while fostering an environment where our people can thrive and help shape the future of our business.
Each of these areas contributes directly to how we operate effectively and continue to grow internationally.
Common corporate functions’ competencies
While technical expertise naturally varies depending on the role, at Simon-Kucher, our recruitment teams consistently focus on several core competencies.
- Organization and planning help us understand how you manage tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a structured and reliable way.
- Stakeholder management gives us insight into how you collaborate with internal teams and partners across functions and locations.
- Communication allows us to see how clearly you explain topics and adapt your message to different audiences.
- Ownership and reliability show how you take responsibility for processes and follow through on commitments.
- Adaptability reflects how you respond to changing priorities and navigate dynamic environments.
Your CV is often the first opportunity to demonstrate these competencies and show how you have applied them in practice. As we review your application, we look for clear, concrete examples that help us understand not only what you have done, but also how you approach your work and the impact you have made.
How to prepare for corporate functions interviews
At Simon-Kucher, we see the interview as a genuine dialogue and an opportunity to get to know each other. We encourage you to ask questions, share your perspective, and use the conversation to better understand our teams, our culture, and how the role fits into the broader organization. Our German HR team highlights:
 | “We aim to get to know applicants as individuals, including their strengths, personality, and motivation. An authentic presence is crucial, as a successful team fit results from genuine alignment rather than adopting predefined roles.” Michaela Scherhag, Team Lead Junior Recruiting, Frankfurt |
Preparation can help you make the most of that exchange. One good practice before interviews is to review the job description and reflect on how your background, projects, or responsibilities relate to what the role involves. Thinking through concrete examples, such as improving a process, coordinating stakeholders, or managing competing priorities, can help you share your experience in a clear and structured way.
Because many corporate functions involve collaboration across teams and countries, we are also interested in hearing how you work in international environments or across functions.
At Simon-Kucher, our interviewers often use behavioral questions to explore these areas in practice. We may apply structured approaches, such as the STAR method, to better understand how you have demonstrated these competencies in real situations.
Our HR team in Poland brings this together with one practical piece of advice:
 | “My advice to candidates is simple: come prepared but stay authentic. Know your experience, be ready to explain the reasoning behind your decisions, and don’t be afraid to ask us thoughtful questions. We are interested not only in what you have done, but also in how you think, communicate, and approach challenges.” Joanna Sienkiewicz, Senior HR Manager, Warsaw |
Understanding the recruitment process
At Simon-Kucher, we design our recruitment processes to be transparent, structured, and tailored to each role.
Interviews are structured to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance with applicable regulations. Questions focus on skills, experience, and role-specific competencies, and candidates are assessed against clearly defined objective criteria.
While processes may vary depending on the position and seniority level, you can usually expect an initial screening call with HR or a recruiter. Our Polish HR Team recruitment team highlights the importance of making the most of this first conversation:
| “The recruiter screening interview is a key part of our recruitment process. It is where we look at how you present yourself and whether you can communicate complex thoughts in a clear, concise, and structured way. Being to the point does not mean saying less. It means knowing what matters and communicating it effectively." Joanna Sienkiewicz, Senior HR Manager, Warsaw |
Following the initial screening, the next stage typically involves one or several interviews with the hiring manager and relevant stakeholders from the business. These conversations give us the opportunity to explore your experience, skills, and motivation in greater depth, while giving you further insight into the role and the team.
For some positions, the process may also include a case interview. While case discussions are most common in consulting, they can also appear in corporate functions roles. The case itself depends strongly on the role. However, usually it is an opportunity to explore how you approach a practical business or operational challenge. In these situations, we are primarily interested in hearing how you structure your thinking and communicate your reasoning.
Where relevant, additional steps such as technical discussions or assessments may also form part of the process, helping us gain a broader understanding of your skills, experience, and mindset.
This structured approach helps reduce bias, supports equal opportunity, and ensures that hiring decisions are based on relevant qualifications and alignment with the role requirements, as well as Simon-Kucher’s values and ways of working.
If you are ready to explore your next opportunity with us, discover our current openings and learn more about careers at Simon-Kucher below.
Explore our careers page to learn more about opportunities at Simon-Kucher.
Find out more about our recruitment approach here: What we look for in applicants at Simon-Kucher