Performance Management

New associates and consultants at ZS join a first-year program (called the 1Y Program) organized to provide key information relevant to new employees. These groups also become peer cohorts that create an instant network across roles and offices, and allow group exploration of common concerns about employment—acculturation into ZS norms and practices, using ZS tools and definition of expected core competencies.

Each employee works with his or her professional development manager to define objectives for professional growth, as well as to identify areas for professional development, either as a new learning experience or as a means of furthering expert knowledge. Through those developmental discussions, we identify opportunities for people to work in different offices, in different practice areas, or toward developing new concepts or technology to be used in our work.

At each level of the firm (associate, associate consultant, consultant, manager, associate principal and principal), ZS has identified competencies against which an individual can measure progress and ZS can assess performance.

We conduct performance reviews for all individuals twice annually, at midyear and year end. Throughout the year, as projects are completed (or on a regular basis for long-standing project assignments), team members are reviewed regarding their performance on that specific project. Team members review their project managers at the same time. All team members also have the opportunity to contribute peer reviews at the close of a project. Professional development managers receive all of the feedback regarding their reports as the reviews are completed, and make sure that all individuals have a good sense of their progress.

The performance review process is only one element of tracking career progress. We encourage an open environment for feedback, so that each team member can gauge performance throughout the project, not just during a formal review. We conduct the formal review to make sure everyone is contributing and developing, and to collect data to use for development, compensation and advancement decisions. However, it is through the daily collaboration and interaction with project managers and PD managers that each person really tracks his or her own performance.

Career development is a joint responsibility. We provide you with support and guidance, and count on you to take an active role in seeking professional growth opportunities. We seek individuals with career intentions. We want you to join, stay, succeed and contribute to future growth.