Women@BCG Middle East

As a woman at BCG, you'll develop career-enhancing skills and work on the projects with lasting impact across
the world.

Women@BCG Middle East

Women@BCG’s core objective is to guarantee equal opportunities for women and men, which operates on these 3 pillars:

Recruiting

We host numerous dedicated events for women throughout the year, aimed at encouraging women to explore career opportunities with BCG in the Middle East. These events are targeted for all levels of experience, from students to industry experts.

Career Development

We ensure a powerful support network for women from the early onboarding stages, throughout their careers at BCG. We combine learning and development opportunities, affiliation and practice area specific support, together with strong mentorship and career guidance as part of our Segment of One program.

Wellbeing at Work

We have numerous programs in place, including flexible working (i.e. flex hours, part-time, flex leave), and regular internal networking events (i.e. breakfasts, ‘confessions of a woman’ support circles, cohort socials, book clubs, sports events), to ensure an inclusive work environment that supports women to thrive.

Our numbers at a glance:

*We retain women and men at equal rates at all career stages.

44%

of our staff in the Middle East are women.

30+

women's events hosted per year.

1 in 3

women consultants reach top management positions after working at BCG.

Discover our Benefits

Hear Our Stories

Discover the inspiring journeys of Shaza in our Doha Office, Elisa in our Dubai Office, and Reema in our Riyadh Office.

Testimonials

Our colleagues will tell you what they value most about working at BCG:

My favorite thing about working in BCG ME is the diversity of projects and clients we interact with. I joined BCG right after my studies and have been a part of a beautiful vibrant, diverse community that motivates me on a daily basis.

Aya Mufti

Senior Associate, Riyadh

I greatly value working at BCG Middle East for its commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. The opportunity to engage in transformative projects that directly advance KSA's Vision 2030 agenda not only fuels my professional growth but also deeply aligns with my personal values.

Rahaf Almady

Senior Associate, Riyadh

Working at BCG Middle East has been a journey of continuous personal and professional growth, thanks to the collective genius of colleagues who challenge and inspire me with their brilliance. It's a community where wisdom is shared freely, and every day sharpens my acumen and shapes me into a more adept architect of change. At BCG Middle East, I have the privilege of working with a diverse team comprising over 80 different nationalities. This diversity brings a rich variety of perspectives and experiences, making our collaborative environment even more enriching and dynamic.

Shahla Panahi

Consultant, Doha

I appreciate the opportunity BCG has provided to explore working in the Middle East through a 10-month cross-office staffing assignment, while being based in the London office. This experience allowed me to explore the region before making a permanent move to relocate with my partner.

Sameera Karri

Consultant, Dubai

One of the aspects I value most about working at BCG Middle East is the opportunity to engage with high-impact projects in a region experiencing rapid growth and dynamic evolution. Each day brings new challenges that are as rewarding as they are demanding, providing a profound sense of fulfillment and professional growth.

Shadin Nassief

Project Leader, Riyadh

The safety of my three kids is my number one priority, and living in Doha gives me great peace of mind because it's known as one of the safest cities in the world. I also work on developing cities across the Middle East, which is really inspiring. It’s amazing to see how these cities grow by taking the best practices from around the world. It makes me proud to be part of it, and I’m grateful for how it helps me provide a safe and exciting life for my family.

Elena Zaytseva

Project Leader, Doha

I feel incredibly fortunate for the support and opportunities BCG has provided throughout my career journey. Moving from BCG London to BCG Dubai and transitioning to a four-day work week have been major milestones for me. As a mum to two wonderful daughters, this flexibility has been a game changer, allowing me to thrive professionally while being present for my family. My gratitude extends to BCG and my line manager for their understanding and support as I recognize it's something not everyone has the luxury of.

Bhaaval Shah

Recruiting Senior Manager, Dubai

Meet Some of our Women Leaders

Leila Hoteit

Managing Director and Senior Partner

BCG Global Lead for Education, Employment and Welfare Practice

Forbes Middle East's 100 most powerful Business Women Leaders for 2024

Natalia Gerashchenko
Managing Director and Senior Partner

Lead for BCG's Banking practice in Saudi Arabia

Shelly Trench
Managing Director and Senior Partner

BCG Global Lead for Sustainability Strategy and Investment Practice

Yvonne Zhou
Managing Director and Senior Partner

Part of BCG Global Leadership Team for Climate & Sustainability and Public Sector practice areas

Lana Koleilat
Managing Director and Partner

Women@BCG Lead

Maya ElHachem
Managing Director and Partner

Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices Lead

Lead for BCG Middle East's Education and Human Capital Development Practice

Sandra Garcia
Managing Director and Partner

Core member of the Principal Investors & Private Equity and Corporate Finance & Strategy practice areas with focus on transactions and portfolio acceleration.

Explore our Office Locations

Discover open roles in any of our three Middle East locations: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Jobs in the Middle East

Qatar

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Saudi Arabia

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United Arab Emirates

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Learn more about Women@BCG in the Middle East

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Improving education is a long journey enhancing the quality of a nation’s teachers, its resources, teaching methodologies, as well as the overall learning environment, cautions BCG’s Leila Hoteit.

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The Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things to Build a Sustainable Future

Celebrating visionary women leading climate and sustainability in the Middle East, the BCG V60 award presented in Dubai highlight the impactful work of 60 women across a variety of industries who are mobilizing communities and influencing policies to make progress towards net-zero targets.

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BCG is one of the Best Employers for Women by Forbes 2024

This is the most definitive list of top workplaces for women who want to advance through the corporate ranks. It celebrates companies that champion women’s advancement, with a focus on succession planning, profit-and-loss roles, gender pay parity, support programs, and flexibility programs.

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Follow our team on Instagram to hear more stories, programs, and events going on in our Middle East Offices.

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Connect with us.

Explore our local pages to get into contact with each local team and to apply for our roles available in the Middle East.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our clients in the Middle East hold us in high regard for the expertise and professionalism we bring to our engagements. They appreciate our contributions purely based on our professional merits. This appreciation underscores an environment where work is evaluated and respected without gender bias, aligning with our global standards of inclusivity and equality.

In our experience at BCG, particularly within our Middle East offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh—as well as globally—our commitment to meritocracy ensures that individuals are respected and advanced based on their capabilities and achievements, rather than gender. This principle is at the core of our operations and culture, affirming that the company provides equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender.

The dress code at BCG generally leans towards business casual, though it can vary depending on the specific client engagement. When working on client site, BCG consultants often adapt to the client's own dress code. If a client's environment is more formal, consultants might wear suits. Conversely, if the client has a more relaxed dress standard, the consultant might dress more casually. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, it is not mandatory for our women consultants to wear an abaya. However, many choose to wear one while visiting client sites as a sign of respect to the local culture. BCG supports this choice by covering the cost of the abaya.

Yes, many women, including professionals at BCG, live and work safely across the Middle East, where modern infrastructure, legal protections, and international communities create supportive environments. BCG is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive workplace, and provides resources to help women navigate local customs while thriving in their careers. Furthermore, the safety of all individuals in the Middle East can be assured, particularly in cities where our offices are located, such as Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Riyadh. These cities are renowned globally for their high levels of safety and security, making them some of the safest places in the world. The local governments prioritize safety and have implemented robust security measures, contributing to a secure living environment for both residents and visitors, irrespective of gender. This favorable security environment enables professionals to live and work with peace of mind, fostering both personal and professional growth.

Solving the world’s biggest problems requires input from all voices, perspectives, and backgrounds—and that’s why we’re committed to recruiting and hiring people of all gender identities, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. Whether your goal is a consulting career or you’re applying for another position, you’re most likely to succeed here with qualities like intellectual curiosity, creative thinking, integrity, an open and collaborative attitude, self-efficacy and drive. For client-facing positions, we also assess your problem-solving and analytical skills, supporting you with the tools and resources you need to prepare so you can excel on the big day.

No, it is not necessary to speak Arabic to work in the Middle East. While proficiency in Arabic can certainly be a bonus, as it may enhance communication within the local context, it is not a prerequisite for success. In our experience, all essential business transactions and operations are conducted in English, which is the common working language across diverse multinational teams. You will find yourself working alongside colleagues from various backgrounds and locations, reflecting the global and inclusive nature of our work environment. This diversity enriches our team dynamics and contributes to a more collaborative and innovative workplace.

BCG is committed to supporting working parents by offering flexible work arrangements to enhance work-life balance and sustainability. For expecting mothers, we provide options like limited travel and paid maternity leave. Additionally, our Global FlexCapacity Program allows all employees to request reduced working hours, also known as FlexCapacity or part-time work, accommodating personal needs while maintaining professional commitments.

At BCG, we prioritize sustainability and work-life balance through various flexibility programs. Our Consulting Staff get two Cool Down Days between projects, moreover, there is Teaming@BCG team that supports with “working norms” and personal goals. We encourage people to take vacation days, furthermore, there are also two office closures a year lasting one week each. In addition, there is 'Flex Leave' option which allows eligible staff to take one or two months off within each calendar year. Additionally, 'Flex Time' offers a specific part-time arrangement with reduced weekly working hours, providing staff the flexibility to manage personal commitments alongside professional responsibilities. For those seeking a more permanent arrangement, our 'Flex Month' program permits eligible staff to work only 11 or 10 months per year, taking 1 or 2 consecutive months as a Leave of Absence. These initiatives ensure a sustainable career with greater predictability and personal time management.

BCG is dedicated to supporting our employees’ well-being by offering a comprehensive range of health services. Our robust insurance program is designed to meet all the needs of our employees and their families, ensuring they can lead fulfilling lives. This also includes access to in-person psychiatry and psychotherapy sessions with qualified mental health professionals. Additionally, our proactive Employee Engagement team organizes a variety of well-being activities throughout the year on a wide range of topics including health and mental health awareness sessions, nutritional workshops, fitness activities, competitions, and awareness campaigns for conditions such as cancer and diabetes, alongside regular dissemination of well-being tips. These initiatives collectively foster a healthy work-life balance for our staff. Furthermore, there is Teaming@BCG team that supports with “working norms” and personal goals which also contributes a lot towards the work-life balance.

At BCG Middle East we have Women@BCG community, which is designed to increase the number, success, and satisfaction of women at BCG by offering tailor-made talent development, mentoring, and sponsorship. Our community engages in a variety of activities including women's breakfasts, executive presence workshops, and organizing markets for women entrepreneurs. Additionally, we offer a rotating book club and the "Women in Sport" initiative, which aims to increase women participation in sports at BCG.

If you would like to apply for our career opportunities, please submit your application to any of our open roles.