Life at AArete

Our History

AArete was founded in 2008 with a mission of helping businesses across a number of industries increase profitability through data-driven decision making and people-centered conversations. Since then, we’ve grown 30-60% year-over-year, creating rapid and continuous expansion with our team of dynamic, high-performing “AAretians” at the heart of it all.

Today, our team has grown to more than 240 people who are dedicated to customer success, collaborative in their approach and determined to expand their knowledge. Together, we’re continually building a place where employees thrive in their careers and clients benefit.

The AArete Difference

AArete consultants are strategic visionaries who are passionate about delivering impactful results using powerful data and analytics. We enjoy a professional environment where employees can gain exposure to the most career-changing projects, while recognizing the importance of social interaction, rest, and experiencing life to the fullest.

An Award Winning Culture

At AArete, our people are the heart of our mission to humanize data for purposeful change. We’re proud to foster an environment where team members feel supported, empowered, and inspired to make a meaningful impact. While our work has earned recognition from Forbes and others, we’re especially grateful for the employee feedback that has led to acknowledgments from organizations like USA TODAY, the Chicago Tribune, Great Place to Work, and Crain’s. We’re also honored to be recognized by the ESOP Association for our commitment to employee ownership and long-term value.

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Career Growth

At AArete, your career growth is determined by your performance — not by your tenure or title. Our people come to AArete with outstanding skills, experience and passion for excellence, but also with an open mind and willingness to learn. We offer training that’s geared toward total career growth by studying new industries and becoming well versed in the methodologies and tools we use to increase client profitability. Approximately 85% of our training is developed in-house, with content curated by our team of consultants to ensure it relates directly to growth for our employees and clients.

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Formal Training

In addition to initial training in AArete methodologies, programs and products, we provide ongoing training at meetings and seminars held throughout the year, including:

Comprehensive intern and analyst training
In-person consultant, manager and director training and development
Industry and technical training “lunch and learn” sessions, where consultants share their on-the-job knowledge to help fellow AAretians grow
Bi-annual company meetings (all-inclusive for all AAretians regardless of level, tenure, or geography), which integrate development and training with fun team-building events, as well as community outreach activities in alignment with our guiding principles

Informal Training

Every consultant receives on-the-job training each day through his or her interactions with peers who have various backgrounds and experiences across all levels of the organization. Plus, all employees participate in “AArete Meet & Greet,” which pairs each new hire with a more tenured consultant from another project team who can answer questions big and small about our firm, processes and culture. Further, all new hires are trained on different types of projects in a variety of industries, while utilizing the latest digital visualization and analytics tools.

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Transparent Interview Process

At AArete, our culture blends professionalism with a human touch, and our interview process reflects that. We prioritize clarity and efficiency, so every candidate feels informed and valued.

Guided by our principles of excellence, passion, and inclusion, we create an environment where career growth and well-being thrive. We move quickly while maintaining consistency and open communication, and we actively seek feedback. Your experience during the interview process matters as much to us as your expertise.

Experienced Candidates

For experienced professionals, our process is designed to be clear, engaging, and reflective of the work you’ll do at AArete. It begins with a conversation with our Recruiting team to learn about your background, goals, and how they align with our values.

Next, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your skills through evaluations, which may include technical assessments, case studies, and behavioral interviews depending on the role. You’ll also meet team members across roles and tenures to gain insight into our collaborative, inclusive culture and ask questions in a true two-way dialogue.

We conclude with comprehensive feedback and next steps, whether it’s an offer or guidance for future opportunities.

Consulting Career Track

Analyst

Can you dazzle us with your data? Our Analysts must possess highly refined analytical and communication skills. You’ll operate effectively—and successfully—in both independent and group settings. It’s also important that you have an understanding of the general business context of current clients, as you work towards developing creative solutions for them.

Consultant

Are you a multitasking mastermind? Our Consultants are expected to provide meaningful support on multiple projects while immersed in—and applying—AArete’s methodology. You need to be able to deliver value to our clients and demonstrate proficiency in the requisite analytical tools and techniques, such as Excel and SQL.

Senior
Consultant

Can you navigate in front of the client and behind the scenes? Our Senior Consultants are responsible for driving our consulting projects to success—while collaborating with AArete’s leadership and consultants. You’ll need to identify and perform sophisticated analyses accurately, with only broad oversight. You’ll also be expected to be on top of market developments in your area of expertise.

Manager

Do you have uncanny instincts? As a leader, you’ll need to ensure your team is running smoothly and developing consulting careers. As a Manager, you will be accountable for having-and sharing- in-depth practical knowledge, skills to successfully execute project goals, and deliver analytical results.

Director

Are you a natural born leader? AArete Directors demonstrate in-depth practice knowledge and skills and will be accountable for the successful execution of project goals and analytical deliverables. They are recognized as the functional expert with their team or group. Additionally, Directors support firm-wide business development activities including lead generation, client relationship management, risk mitigation, and ongoing training and development of team members.

Managing
Director

Can you create and deploy strategy? AArete Managing Directors are responsible for facilitating AArete’ s strategy and vision by proactively managing personnel, business projects, and deliverables with minimal disruptions to clients and other work streams. Successful Managing Director’s will secure, design, and manage large, complex, team-based consulting projects. AArete Managing Directors are responsible for building a continuous book of business to drive revenue growth.

Summer Internship Program

Our competitive summer internship is designed for undergraduates entering their senior year of college. Interns assume Analyst-level responsibilities throughout the summer, gaining hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of our work and processes. This includes engaging in meaningful projects, developing business cases, and contributing to impactful client solutions.

We seek students with strong academic performance, active involvement in extracurricular activities, and alignment with our guiding principles. Our recruitment process is typically conducted virtually and may include technical assessments, as well as case study and behavioral interviews, where candidates connect with consultants to assess potential fit. To make the most of this opportunity, candidates are expected to be based in Chicago for the duration of the internship, allowing for a fully immersive and rewarding experience in the city.