Associate Consultant - Business Performance + Operations

Associate Consultant - Business Performance + Operations

Harbor is the preeminent provider of expert services across strategy, legal technology, operations, and intelligence. We are at the forefront of driving digital transformation in the legal sector, helping clients leverage cutting edge technology, AI‑driven solutions and data driven insights to achieve measurable results.

Our globally integrated team of 800+ strategists, technologists, and specialists navigates alongside our clients – leading law firms, corporations, and their law departments to streamline processes, unlock new efficiencies, and prepare for the future of work.

As Harbor continues to grow at pace, we are committed to shaping the industry through innovation, AI adoption and a relentless focus on delivering value to our clients.

The Vendor Governance + Sourcing team provides end‑to‑end strategic sourcing and procurement services to identify and implement cost/business optimization opportunities. Project work encompasses a wide range of indirect spend categories, helping clients optimize purchasing processes, reduce costs, and improve overall business performance. Teams gain the unique opportunity to work closely with client leadership, including C‑level team, to support negotiations and deliver strategies that enhance procurement processes and business performance. Client engagements / projects are supported with a dedicated team from the onset to remain directly involved in developing and successfully implementing strategic recommendations, providing diverse experiences and building a skillset beyond traditional procurement.

Responsibilities

As a Consultant at Harbor, you will make an immediate impact by contributing to project execution with spend analysis, reviewing contracts, supporting negotiations, and developing client deliverables. Our projects will provide regular engagement with colleagues who are smart, innovative, and eager to meet new challenges. An entrepreneurial spirit and positive “can‑do” attitude are the common threads that unites us to drive forward and succeed. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop as a strategic advisor, combining analytical problem‑solving, client interaction, and real‑world impact. As a Consultant you will be responsible for the following:

• Respond to client needs with direction and support to ensure high quality of service and satisfaction across client accounts.
• Support cross functional teams, department + company initiatives, and other teams/groups outside of specific client engagements.
• Attention to detail with tasks performed, understand how data and information plays into specific deliverables, and work to achieve the appropriate goals in a timely fashion.
• Use critical thinking skills to address problems and offer or seek reasonable solutions.
• Produce thorough data sets and accurate spend analysis, and written communications, leveraging business writing principles in collaboration with project leadership.

Qualifications

• Ability to work onsite in Chicago office.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Finance, Business, Computer Science, Economics, Marketing, or Accounting.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint; proficiency with MS Project and Power BI is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, summarize, and organize data.
• Team player who can also work independently.
• Detail‑oriented multi‑tasker.
• Internship or relevant work experience within a professional services firm (preferred).

Why Choose Harbor?

We believe our focus should be on the development and well‑being of our most important asset, you. Below is a snapshot of what we offer all our employees.

• Work life balance – Flexible PTO, 10 Sick Days, 11 Holidays.
• 401K dollar‑for‑dollar matching up to 4%.
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Plans start day 1.
• A tech‑forward, future‑focussed workplace where you’ll work with the latest tools, platforms and AI‑driven solutions transforming the legal industry.
• Extremely collaborative and team‑based environment to foster strong communication skills with both colleagues and clients.
• Clear pathways for rapid career growth, with opportunities to take on emerging technology and AI projects, lead digital transformation initiatives and gain early client‑facing experience.
• Managers and leadership invested in your development through coaching, mentorship and access to continuous learning in your first year through our Academy program – ensuring you’re equipped with the skills for today and tomorrow.
• A dynamic, expanding company culture where your ideas shape our evolution, supported by wellness programs, social events, networking opportunities, and multiple employee representative groups that champion inclusion and collaboration.