Sr. Consultant, Small Business Strategy & Operations

Position Overview

Do you have a proven history of taking ownership, driving measurable business results, and increasing your scope of responsibility year over year? Are you leveraging AI to help you work more efficiently? Are you ready for bigger challenges, teammates who make you better, and a faster path to growth? If the answer is yes, then this is the role for you.

You'll work directly with senior leadership and high-performing small business owners across the Contrarian ecosystem. You will be responsible for diagnosing operational inefficiencies, increasing revenue, improving margins, and holding owner-operators accountable to improve their performance.


This role is implementation-focused consulting.

You will move fluidly between financial analysis, strategic planning, operational execution, and executive coaching. One week, you may be rebuilding the pricing strategy for a seven-figure service company. Next week, you may be restructuring compensation plans to increase close rates or helping a client build an AI agent to pull reports and create dashboards.

Though you are joining as a Sr. Consultant, we expect you to outgrow this role. As we scale, this position can evolve into:

• Engagement Manager
• Director of Value Creation
• Operator-in-Residence
• ...or something we haven't even planned for, and you are a perfect fit

We do not believe in stagnant roles. If you are not operating at a significantly higher level in 18-24 months, this likely is not the right fit.

Before you get excited, we have to tell you that this role is no joke.

You will be expected to advise and shepherd our clients to achieve measurable top-line and bottom-line growth. You will be expected to challenge strong-willed founders. You will be expected to move from insight to execution quickly.

This is for someone who wants to help build real businesses.

If that's you, then keep reading.
Skills and Qualifications

Here's what we believe is required to succeed in this role:

A minimum of 6 years of experience in one or more of the following:

• Management consulting (MBB or equivalent preferred)
• Private equity operations or value creation
• Corporate strategy
• Operational leadership inside a small or mid-sized business
• An MBA is preferred

This is for consultants who want to own outcomes. We use our strong financial acumen, structured problem-solving abilities, bias for execution, along with our polished executive presence to advise and challenge our clients directly, hold them accountable without ego, and build trust quickly, all to deliver tangible business results. We all thrive in an environment where results matter more than titles, and actions speak louder than words.
What is Contrarian Thinking?

Who are we: We are an investment and advisory firm powered by media and led by veterans of Wall Street, Private Equity, and operators of Main Street businesses. We help owners BUY, SCALE , and SELL businesses.

Our Ecosystem:

1. Capital & Investment Company - We invest millions annually in businesses, and support our portfolio businesses in scaling to create enduring, profitable businesses they love to run, but also change the world.
2. Events & Community - We help business buyers and builders with live workshops, weekly calls, and annual events around the country. We have two types of communities: 1) For Buyers - a vetted community of buyers who utilize our campus, curriculum, and advisors to buy or invest in businesses, and 2) For Builders - a community and events where we help builders use our proven scaling systems, advisors, and curriculum to grow profitable, enduring businesses.
3. Media & Content - We aim to be the biggest and most trusted business media company in the world - through podcasts, YouTube, books, and online education. We aim to make business and finance content better than any University degree.

Come build with us.

The Contrarian Creed

These are the words we stand by, live by, and define what it means to be a Contrarian.

1. People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
2. Be a great f*cking human. Do what's right even when it hurts.
3. How you do anything, is how you do everything.
4. We do the dirty work.
5. Your word is your contract.
6. We are Archimedes, find your lever.
7. Winners want pressure.
8. We want your weird. Better weird than boring.
9. Your job isn't done until THE job is done. We work the problem.
10. Assumptions are for assholes. Find the truth.
11. Less words, more meaning.
12. Even our notes are worth stealing. Make every creation a mini-masterpiece.
13. Show me your results, not your intentions.

If those resonate, you might belong here.
Compensation

Salary: Competitive base + performance bonus tied directly to measurable client EBITDA growth and value creation outcomes.

High performers will be rewarded aggressively.
Location

Austin, TX


In the office with your team all of the time.
Type of Employment

Full-Time
Crew Benefits

All benefits begin Day 1.

• 100% Company-paid health, dental, and vision for all full-time Crew Members (option to add dependents)
• Unlimited PTO Policy (with approval from your Direct Support) + 9 paid US holidays
• On-time direct deposit pay 2x/month
• 401K option via Vestwell
• 100% free access to all Contrarian courses and the flagship community
• Direct exposure to deal flow and portfolio companies