How to write a compelling Strategy & Advisory CV that positions you as a trusted expert
After more than 25 years as a UK-based career coach and professional CV writer, I can confidently say that a strong Strategy & Advisory CV is not about listing responsibilities. It is about demonstrating impact, influence and measurable commercial value. Whether you are targeting a strategy consultant role, advisory consultant position, or a senior executive appointment, your CV must communicate clarity of thinking, leadership presence and tangible results.
The Strategy & Advisory sector is highly competitive. Employers expect precision, commercial awareness and evidence of transformation. Your CV should reflect exactly that.
Start with a powerful executive profile
Your executive profile is prime real estate. In four to six lines, you must present yourself as a strategic thinker and trusted advisor. Avoid generic statements. Instead, position yourself as a commercially astute strategy professional with experience in business transformation, growth strategy, operational improvement or M&A advisory, depending on your background.
Use keywords naturally throughout your profile such as Strategy & Advisory CV, management consultant CV, strategy consultant, business transformation, corporate strategy and stakeholder engagement. This supports both applicant tracking systems and human readers.
For example, rather than writing “Experienced consultant with strong analytical skills”, you might say you are a “Strategy consultant with 12+ years’ experience delivering board-level advisory services, driving revenue growth and leading complex transformation programmes across FTSE 250 and private equity-backed organisations.”
Demonstrate impact, not activity
The biggest mistake I see on a consulting CV is a focus on duties rather than outcomes. In Strategy & Advisory, results are everything.
Every bullet point in your professional experience section should answer one question: what changed because you were involved?
Use measurable achievements wherever possible. Include revenue growth percentages, cost savings achieved, EBITDA improvements, operational efficiencies delivered, successful market entries or digital transformation milestones. Quantifying impact is critical in a management consultant CV.
For example:
Led cross-functional team to deliver £15m cost reduction programme across European operations.
Advised board on market expansion strategy, resulting in 28 percent revenue growth within 18 months.
Designed and implemented operating model transformation improving productivity by 22 percent.
Numbers create credibility. Specifics create authority.
Structure your Strategy & Advisory CV clearly
Clarity and structure matter enormously in consulting. Your CV template should reflect logical thinking and professionalism.
A strong Strategy & Advisory CV template typically includes:
Executive Profile
Core Competencies
Professional Experience
Selected Strategic Projects
Education and Professional Development
Additional Information
The Core Competencies section should include relevant keywords such as corporate strategy, commercial due diligence, change management, growth strategy, risk management, financial modelling, stakeholder management and programme leadership. This ensures your CV is optimised for UK recruiters and executive search firms.
If you have worked in a consulting firm, you may wish to include a Selected Strategic Projects section to highlight high-value client engagements. This is particularly effective in a strategy consultant CV example as it allows you to showcase breadth of sector exposure and strategic depth.
Tailor your CV to your target audience
A Strategy & Advisory CV for a Big Four firm will differ slightly from one aimed at a boutique consultancy or an in-house corporate strategy team. Tailoring is essential.
Research the firm’s sector focus, culture and recent projects. Reflect relevant terminology and priorities within your CV. If the role emphasises digital transformation, highlight digital strategy and technology-enabled change. If it focuses on private equity advisory, showcase due diligence and value creation expertise.
A generic consulting CV will rarely secure interviews at senior level. A tailored executive CV significantly increases your success rate.
Highlight leadership and influence
Strategy & Advisory roles are rarely technical alone. They require gravitas, stakeholder management and the ability to influence at board level.
Make sure your CV reflects:
Board-level presentations delivered
C-suite stakeholder engagement
Cross-functional leadership
Complex programme governance
Change leadership and cultural transformation
These elements elevate your profile from analyst to trusted advisor.
Keep your CV professional and concise
In the UK market, two to three pages is typically appropriate for a senior Strategy & Advisory CV. Avoid unnecessary graphics, overly creative layouts or dense text blocks. A clean, well-structured CV template ensures readability and professionalism.
Remember, your CV is a strategic document. It should reflect the same rigour you would apply to a client engagement.
Do not forget LinkedIn optimisation
Your LinkedIn profile should align with your CV. Recruiters in London and across the UK actively headhunt strategy professionals. LinkedIn profile optimisation is no longer optional.
Ensure your headline, about section and experience mirror your positioning. Use consistent keywords such as Strategy & Advisory, corporate strategy, transformation, consulting, and executive leadership. A well-optimised LinkedIn profile increases visibility and credibility significantly.
Final thoughts from a seasoned UK career coach
Writing a compelling Strategy & Advisory CV requires commercial storytelling, precision and strategic positioning. When done correctly, your CV becomes a powerful personal marketing tool that opens doors to senior consulting and advisory opportunities.
If you would like expert guidance, I would be delighted to help. Book an appointment to have your CV and LinkedIn profile professionally written or refined by me, Jerry Frempong, or one of CVLondon’s expert CV writers. Together, we will position you as the high-impact strategic leader organisations are searching for.
Secure your consultation today at https://www.cvlondon.net/book-an-appointment/ and take the next confident step in your Strategy & Advisory career.
Strategy and Advisory CV Sample
