Birgit Seidl-Bisani
Engagement Manager at Allianz Consulting
My Job as an In-house Consultant:
I joined Allianz Consulting in October 2013 as a Senior Consultant. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to develop to Principal Consultant and further on to Engagement Manager in 2017. In this position, I manage a team of consultants while working on a number of varied tasks. Amongst others, these include pitching solutions, developing our organization, leading engagements and delivering content to clients.
My daily challenges:
As an Engagement Manager, I am the first contact person for my team and for my clients. My daily challenges include solving client problems, managing projects and their key stakeholders, acting as a sparring partner and content challenger, preparing sales pitches, recruiting, driving internal initiatives as well as developing and taking care of my team members, to name just a few. I do my best to take advantage of the tremendous learning opportunity that each new challenge brings.
Why I like to work as an In-house Consultant:
We do not only deliver concepts, but we also put our recommendations into practice. Even when we are not directly involved in an implementation phase, we are part of the organization and can observe the impact of our work and solutions on our company. I also like that our clients view us as colleagues – not just consultants. I am able to build strong, long-lasting relationships with my clients, and with every project I expand my network within the Allianz Group.
What I like most about being an In-house Consultant:
It never gets boring! I constantly encounter new challenges and new business areas in my projects. I have participated in the establishment of a Joint Venture in the Philippines, shaped the set-up of large bancassurance cooperation, and worked on projects defining the strategy of the Allianz Group, just to name a few examples. Besides the great variety in projects, I really enjoy our international work environment. Working together with highly motivated colleagues from different backgrounds and areas of expertise makes my daily work particularly interesting.
My life before joining the In-house Consultancy:
I studied International Business Administration in Regensburg, Paris and Vienna. Between my Bachelor and Master studies I completed an internship at Allianz, where I began to build the first professional networks that set the path towards my Allianz career today. After completing my Masters, I worked at an external management consultancy for two years, which helped me gain insights into various industries and business segments.
What I like to do in my spare time:
I spend most of my time with my little son and my husband, if possible in the mountains or outdoors. To relax I practice yoga, and I enjoy having good meals and a glass of wine with friends and family. I also take every opportunity to travel to new countries and learn about different cultures.