Management Consultant – Applications Modernization & Sourcing Advisory

ISG is seeking an experienced management consultant with strong expertise in application landscapes, modernization, and sourcing of application development and maintenance (ADM) and SaaS services. This senior role involves advising clients on modernizing legacy applications, migrating to cloud-native platforms, evaluating SaaS solutions, and strategically sourcing application services. The consultant will lead client workstreams, manage sourcing initiatives, assess provider capabilities, and translate business and technical needs into actionable recommendations, supporting transformation roadmaps and commercial negotiations.

Must Have

• Lead workstreams for application modernization, cloud-native adoption, SaaS transformation, and ADM sourcing.
• Assess application portfolios and identify modernization opportunities.
• Design sourcing strategies for ADM, agile development, SaaS platforms, testing, and digital product engineering.
• Manage RfX processes, including vendor evaluation and commercial negotiations.
• Evaluate providers’ application capabilities.
• Facilitate executive workshops on application strategy and modernization.
• Translate complex application and technology concepts into business recommendations.
• 5-8 years experience in management consulting, application services, or technology sourcing.
• Strong understanding of application architectures, SaaS, cloud-native, microservices, DevSecOps.
• Proficiency in German and English (C1+).
• Bachelor's degree in a technical or scientific field.

Good to Have

• Coaching or mentoring experience
• MBA or advanced degree

Perks & Benefits

• Impactful engagements modernizing application landscapes and sourcing next-generation application services.
• A clear development path toward more senior consultant and leadership roles.
• Access to ISG’s global expertise in application services, cloud modernization, SaaS benchmarking, and digital transformation.
• Modern, flexible ways of working (primarily remote).
• Competitive compensation.
• Flexible holidays.
• Inclusive, supportive culture.

Description

Company Overview

A global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. As a trusted business partner, we help corporations, public sector organizations, and services and software providers achieve operational excellence and business growth through digital transformation, market intelligence, and industry best practices. Our services encompass research, benchmarking, consulting, and managed services, providing unparalleled insights into the evolving technology landscape. We partner with our clients to determine a future vision, lead rapid change and realize the value of their digital investments at scale. We’re more than consultants: We help our clients achieve operational excellence and faster growth.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced management consultant with strong expertise in application landscapes, modernization, and sourcing of application development and maintenance (ADM) and SaaS services. In this senior role, you will advise clients on how to modernize legacy applications, migrate to cloud-native platforms, evaluate SaaS solutions, and source application services efficiently and strategically.

You will lead client-facing workstreams, manage sourcing initiatives end-to-end, assess provider capabilities, and translate business and technical needs into actionable recommendations. You will also support transformation roadmaps, target operating models, and commercial negotiations while guiding junior colleagues.

If you have a strong background in applications consulting, digital transformation, and sourcing – and enjoy navigating both technology and business conversations – this role offers significant impact, autonomy, and a clear path for growth within the firm.

Responsibilities

• Lead workstreams covering application modernization, cloud-native adoption, SaaS transformation, and ADM sourcing.
• Assess current application portfolios, identify modernization opportunities, and support development of transformation roadmaps.
• Design sourcing strategies for ADM, agile development, SaaS platforms, testing services, and digital product engineering.
• Manage RfX processes including requirements definition, vendor evaluation, solution assessment, and commercial negotiations.
• Evaluate providers’ application capabilities (e.g., cloud-native development, microservices, modernization accelerators, DevSecOps maturity).
• Facilitate executive workshops on application strategy, modernization approaches, and sourcing options.
• Translate complex application and technology concepts into clear business-oriented recommendations.
• Coach junior consultants and ensure quality of deliverables across workstreams.
• Support thought leadership initiatives, proposal development, and enhancement of the firm’s app modernization and sourcing frameworks.
• Collaborate with cross-border teams across consulting, research, sourcing advisory, and benchmarking.

Required Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in management consulting, application services, software engineering strategy, ADM delivery, or technology sourcing.
• Sound understanding of application architectures, SaaS platforms, cloud-native development, microservices, DevSecOps, testing frameworks, and legacy modernization approaches.
• Proven experience leading sourcing or transformation initiatives in the application domain.
• Ability to engage senior IT and business stakeholders and articulate complex topics concisely.
• Strong analytical and communication skills (German and English at C1+).
• Hands-on, structured approach and experience working in agile, cross-functional teams.
• Coaching or mentoring experience is a plus.

What we offer

• Impactful engagements modernizing application landscapes and sourcing next-generation application services for clients across industries.
• A clear development path toward more senior consultant and leadership roles.
• Access to global expertise in application services, cloud modernization, SaaS benchmarking, and digital transformation.
• Modern, flexible ways of working (primarily remote).
• Competitive compensation, flexible holidays, and an inclusive, supportive culture.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in a technical or scientific field
• MBA or another advanced degree (s) desirable

The duties and responsibilities described in this position description may not be a comprehensive list. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time and/or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

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