The 2024 Best Firms to Work For: Eagle Hill Consulting

CLIENT INDUSTRIES SERVED: Financial Services, Technology, Media and Entertainment, Health and Life Cciences, Nonprofits and Federal, State and Local Governments

CONSULTING SERVICE LINES: Strategy and Performance, Talent, Change

Eagle Hill Consulting is a woman-owned business that provides unconventional management consulting services in the areas of Strategy and Performance, Talent and Change. A leading authority on employee sentiment, we deliver innovative solutions to financial services, technology, media and entertainment, health and life sciences, nonprofits and governments in Washington, DC, Seattle, Boston and across the United States. Eagle Hill tests, refines, and validates new ideas of revolutionary business potential in our own work environment, and as best practices rise to the top, we polish them and bring them to the marketplace for our clients' benefit. At Eagle Hill we are a community of consultants, rather than a traditional consultancy. Our culture and approach to clients is rooted in a strong sense of relationships and collaboration. Eagle Hill's environment for employees is supportive, not driven by internal competition. We believe that a culture that provides real work-life balance and an outstanding employee experience is the best way to deliver extraordinary management consulting results to our clients. This culture is what continues to drive Eagle Hill's growth and success.

CMAG: What characteristics and elements would you attribute to your firm's inclusion as a Best Firm to Work For?

Eagle Hill's environment for employees is supportive, not driven by internal competition. We provide an atmosphere for those new to consulting to thrive—hiring individuals with diverse backgrounds and career histories who align with our core values, which promotes varied points of view and life experiences to be represented in our company. We believe that a culture that provides real work-life flexibility and an outstanding employee experience is the best way to deliver extraordinary management consulting results to our clients.

CMAG: Are there any specific programs or initiatives that contributed to you being included as a Best Firm?

Eagle Hill invests in ensuring employees feel connected and engaged both in person and working from home. Our Community Core Team hosts regular employee events and engagements including Family Days, virtual challenges, local sporting events, watch parties and fitness classes. Our DEI Team also hosts events, activities, and panels that support the observance and celebration of various holidays, heritage months and days of recognition. Our Corporate Citizenship Team plans a companywide Day of Service where employees volunteer in person and virtually with local nonprofits.

Eagle Hill's benefits package includes 100% company-paid health care, dental, and vision for employees and their families, flexible schedules and hybrid work, and 12-week paid parental leave. These benefits are essential to Eagle Hill as they demonstrate the emphasis we place on our employees and their experience as valued team members of the company.

CMAG: In describing your firm, what would you say sets it apart from other consulting firms?

We are a woman-owned and run company, and it is essential for Eagle Hill to foster an environment where women can thrive. Currently 66% of Managers and above, and 75% of Directors and above, identify as women, as well as 66% of all employees. Additionally, 84% of our leaders who identify as women have been promoted from within the company.

Genuine work-life flexibility is an essential tenant of working at Eagle Hill—creating a supportive environment for our many working parents and all employees across the firm. This work-life flexibility is regularly demonstrated by leaders who pick up their children from school or bring their children on camera during meetings, our flexible hours and hybrid work model, our robust paid time off and parental leave policies, and implementation of new trends in work-life balance, such as Summer Fridays. Work-life flexibility is the second most common response as to why employees love Eagle Hill and is a key contributing factor to our annual top workplace awards and rankings.

Eagle Hill has been a proponent of hybrid work and telework since the COVID-19 pandemic began, while also prioritizing engagement for all employees and the success of the firm. Eagle Hill has demonstrated the ability to provide outstanding, best-in-class consulting project opportunities with clients across a range of service areas and industries- both locally and across the country, inperson and virtually. We prioritize the wants and needs of the individual employee's working preferences, understanding that some employees prefer to work from home, while others prefer to work in an office setting.

CMAG: Where your workforce is concerned, what would you say your priorities look like for the upcoming year and beyond?

From an internal perspective, a priority for Eagle Hill will always be our strong culture along with the engagement and well-being of our employees. Because our employees drive our business success, we will continue to prioritize our core values by seeking out new and creative ways to engage our workforce, experimenting with new best practices, and listening to employee feedback to drive change. From a business standpoint, we will continue to grow the firm, deliver exceptional results to clients in a variety of industries, and be a leader in the field of employee sentiment.

CMAG: What opportunities do you see as the most promising?

In 2024 and into 2025, several key workforce opportunities are emerging due to technological advancements, evolving business needs, and shifts in global economic conditions. These changes are creating new workforce demands and an increasing need for specialized jobs in both the private sector and government. For example:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): As AI and ML continue to integrate into various industries, demand for data scientists, AI specialists and ML engineers is increasing. These roles are crucial for developing, deploying and maintaining intelligent systems. Remote Work Coordination: As remote and hybrid work models persist, roles and skills related to managing remote teams are becoming all the more essential.

DEI Specialists: Companies are prioritizing diversity and inclusion, leading to more opportunities for DEI professionals who can help shape and implement policies that promote a more inclusive workplace. These workforce opportunities reflect broader trends and the evolving nature of work. Organizations that can recruit, retain, and engage employees with the right skills, training, and adaptability will find growth and thrive.

CMAG: What market forces do you see as the most challenging?

In 2024 and beyond, organizations are facing several significant workforce challenges that impact their ability to attract, retain and manage talent effectively. Here are some of the biggest challenges:

1. Talent Shortages and Skills Gaps: There is a growing demand for workers with specialized skills in areas like AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing and data science. However, the supply of qualified professionals in these fields often falls short, leading to intense competition among employers.
2. Reskilling and Upskilling Needs: As technology evolves rapidly, the need for continuous learning has become critical. Employers must invest in reskilling and upskilling programs to keep their workforce relevant, but this can be costly and time-consuming.
3. Changing Employee Expectations: Employees increasingly expect flexible work arrangements, including remote work options, flexible hours and a better work-life balance. Employers who fail to offer these may struggle to attract and retain talent.
4. Aging Workforce and Retirement: As the workforce ages, many experienced employees are retiring, leading to a loss of institutional knowledge. Employers must focus on succession planning and knowledge transfer to mitigate the impact.

CMAG: What impact do you think Best Firm to Work For honors will have on your employees? The firm overall? Clients?

The honor of Best Firm to Work For 2024 from Consulting Magazine confirms that our retention and engagement strategies are succeeding with our employees, and that are we are achieving the goals we set as a firm to prioritize, cherish, and listen to our most valuable resource: our employees. We hope that this honor helps build awareness of Eagle Hill among job seekers and clients who share our values so we can continue to grow our firm.