Vantaggi
Day-to-day colleagues (depending on team) are collaborative, professional and supportive. Rapid growth provides sustainability and growth opportunities. Competitive (but not superior) pay and benefits for industry. Hybrid/remote structure offers work-life flexibility (AQ terms it work-life “integration” vs. “balance”). Interesting and engaging work (for the most part) in a complex industry. Long-term outlook appears positive.
Svantaggi
In short, AQ executive leadership has failed to navigate ambitious growth. The new AQ (recent rebranding) doesn’t have a clear identity internally, undercutting an ambitious and commendable vision. Poor scaling, communication, and integration (a product of multiple acquisitions) has created inefficiencies that hamper ability for employees to do their jobs. Service lines operate as individual companies and often compete for business (no incentive to do otherwise since all service lines are judged based on individual performance). Strong individual contributions and leadership have been largely undercut by poor guidance/communication from executive leadership. Agency lifestyle often comes with nontraditional work-life balance; though managing this is possible with the right mindset (and support). Corporate culture is hollow - programs and initiatives are overshadowed from declining benefits and insincere/noncommittal commentary from executive leadership.