Associate Consultant

Job Summary:

Cornerstone established the Cornerstone Resource Network (CRN) to bring together independent contractors who are subject matter experts and banking leaders that provide periodic, as needed, on-demand consulting services for Cornerstone clients. CRN is a collection of the industry's top professionals who, based on their unique skills and area of focused expertise, can be utilized on active Cornerstone engagements. Associate Consultants comprise CRN. CRN is exclusively a group of 1099 contractors. Associate Consultants are marketed to our potential clients as members of our project teams and their time is built into our engagement budgets. Associate Consultants work on confidential client matters, speak directly (in most cases) with Cornerstone clients, function as members of the Cornerstone team, and help prepare strategies, plans, and leave-behind deliverable documents.

Please note: This is not a full-time role. Associates are 1099 contractors who have flexibility and control over their schedules and can dedicate a portion of their time to working with Cornerstone.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No supervisory responsibilities are associated with this role.

Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Work with peer consultants to collaborate and advise engagement teams
• Deliver insights, analysis, and prescriptive directions to client leaders
• Prepare reports, work plans, and detailed deliverable documents for banks, credit unions, vendors, and other financial institutions who have engaged Cornerstone for management consulting services. NOTE: Services could include core systems selections, strategic planning, contract negotiation services, M&A due diligence/planning, operational effectiveness, cost reduction, advisory, research, branch strategies, among others.
• Subject matter expert; go-to person on a project team for deep knowledge in a specific area
• Work independently on multiple nonrecurring projects, with limited direction, and draw upon extensive knowledge, and experience to deliver remarkable consulting services
• Protect Cornerstones intellectual property to prevent loss/infringement
• Provide strategic advice based on client business interests on a real-time basis
• Facilitate kickoff, workshops, group meetings with client(s)

Qualifications

• Alignment to Cornerstone Values (see below)
• Hustle. You will be on a team of hard-working, industry-leading consultants.
• Excellent service delivery skills: demonstrated ability to create, plan and successfully execute projects; the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to interface and communicate effectively with clients and Cornerstone employees
• 10 or more years of relevant work experience in a related role, financial industry experience highly preferred
• Highly-developed "emotional intelligence" and related personal characteristics
• Clear and succinct communication skills
• Client service leader; responsive to needs; escalates issues to project leaders (as needed)
• Adept and creative problem solver with strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to proactively set and share goals, stay connected to team, focus on results and constantly want to learn.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple project priorities in a deadline-driven environment

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or higher
• Three years of project management experience in banks or credit unions

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel) required
• Proficiency with Internet search processes and research required

Preferred

• Previous consulting experience is preferred, but not required
• Advanced Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, nested conditional statements, and lookups) desirable
• Relationships with multiple banks and credit union executives
• Deep knowledge of leading Core and ancillary app vendors (preferred)
• Awareness of and familiarity with FI Vendor landscape (preferred)

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate Cornerstone and or clients facilities.

Cornerstone Values

• Stronger together. We leverage our collective talents to be better and do better. Our team complements, supports, and connects so that our output is always greater than the sum of our parts.
• Do the right thing. Always. We choose to be the force of good and the model of integrity in everything we do.
• Grit. We are lifelong learners who dig deep, seek truth, and share insights so that our teams and clients are left with real-world solutions and tangible benefits.
• Own it. Accountability and an expectation that if it is to be, it's up to me permeates the firm and enables a get it done culture. 100% ownership / 0% excuses.
• Lead with Humility. We treat our team, our clients, and our partners with the highest level of respect recognizing our way may not be the only way.
• Pay it forward. Generous sharing of time, effort, and support is part of our united belief that helping our clients, our communities and each other is its own reward.