Rajat is a Management Consultant with over 11 years of experience in strategy consulting across diverse industries, including Energy, Natural Resources, and Industrial Products. Currently, he serves as a Manager in the Sustainability and Responsibility (S&R) Center of Excellence at Bain Capability Centre, Bain & Company. His early exposure to government projects and market research roles, particularly with Kantar IMRB, solidified his passion for research and consulting. Currently at Bain, Rajat now leads efforts in decarbonization strategy, providing bespoke solutions to global clients, while continuing to build on the values and skills nurtured during his time at IIFM.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajat-pratap-singh-0b716869
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. I am a Management Consultant with 11+ years of strategy consulting experience across diverse industries, including Energy and Natural Resources, Industrial products, and more. I am currently working as a Manager in the Sustainability and Responsibility (S&R) CoE of Bain Capability Centre.
My time at IIFM profoundly shaped my journey. The values it instilled in me have become guiding principles in my personal and professional life. After graduating from IIFM, I worked for the Department of Horticulture in Madhya Pradesh for a year. This exposure was invaluable, as it introduced me to the complexities of consultancy and advisory roles. I saw firsthand how major consulting firms, like the Big Four, were integrated into government projects.
However, this exposure helped me understand my true calling: research and consulting. This was when I joined Kantar IMRB (Business and Industrial Research Department) in 2015, where I spent 6+ enriching years. At Kantar, I worked in a wide range of sectors with both government and private clients on varied projects including go-to-market strategy development, usage and attitude assessment, product concept evaluation, supply chain analysis, etc. Post that, I had a very brief stint at KPMG before eventually finding my way to Bain, where I continue to build on the solid foundation that IIFM helped lay.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Pivotal experiences and learnings have shaped my journey, each contributing to the person and professional I am today. During my time at Kantar IMRB, my supervisors played a crucial role in helping me discover my strengths and understand what it takes for me to deliver my best work. They instilled in me the importance of questioning everything that seemed unclear, a mindset that has been invaluable in my career. The fieldwork was particularly enriching, as I felt like a detective on a mission, uncovering vital information for my clients. The absolute joy came when I saw my clients delighted with the insights shared with them through the research.
Joining Bain as Manager at Bain Capability Network marked another significant milestone in my career. The concepts of “Answer first” and the “80/20 rule” were revelations to me, offering the next level of problem-solving in a fast-paced environment. While these ideas were not natural for a researcher whose approach was more exploratory, I quickly grew to appreciate their importance in a fast-paced, objective-oriented business consulting environment. These learnings have been instrumental in shaping my approach to work and continue to guide me as I navigate my career.
Q. How has your experience been in your current Organization? In what areas have you worked here?
A. I joined Bain in December 2021 and worked in the Private Equity and Advanced Manufacturing Services vertical. However, when I got a chance to fully join the S&R CoE of Bain, I latched upon the opportunity, as being from IIFM, the work resonated with me. As a Manager at S&R CoE in Bain, I lead a vertical that focuses upon decarbonization strategy development for clients. We focus upon creating a comprehensive decarbonization lever library by doing LCA analysis and create Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACC) for hard-to-abate sectors. Leveraging this expertise, I provide bespoke solutions to clients across the globe to decarbonize their businesses and potential transition pathways for their business.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your career?
A. The most satisfying part of my career as a consultant is the thrill of solving complex challenges, learning from diverse perspectives, and helping clients solve their business issues. I truly enjoy the process of practical problem-solving and gaining deep knowledge while collaborating with amazing people from around the world.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped shape how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM changed me in lot many ways. My experience at IIFM has profoundly shaped how I approach my professional roles. The institute instilled in me core values and skills that continue to guide my career. The field trips at IIFM, for example, sparked my passion for connecting with people and understanding their perspective/rationale for their actions/decisions, and this became a cornerstone of my professional work. The development theories we studied, assignments, and club activities equipped me with essential soft skills like time management, leadership, team building, and conflict management. These experiences taught me that the learning at IIFM extends far beyond the classroom—it’s about building a holistic foundation that prepares you to face real-world challenges with confidence and creativity. The lessons I learned there are not just memories; they are tools I continue to use in my career.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with some truly inspiring leaders who have significantly shaped my professional journey. These mentors taught me invaluable lessons that have guided my path, and I owe much of my success to their wisdom and support. One such mentor was Rahul Bhardwaj (IIFM 2008 batch), my Manager at Kantar IMRB. Rahul and other exceptional bosses helped build my trust in my strengths and instilled in me the confidence to ask questions. Their influence has profoundly shaped how I approach challenges and my managerial style. For fresh IIFM graduates looking to build a career in consulting, my advice is simple: believe in yourself. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone—focus on enjoying your work. Having a mentor in the field is incredibly important, and regular interactions with them can provide invaluable insights. If there’s the mantra for success in consulting, especially in the early days, be inquisitive, don’t just assume things for the sake of, and adopt the 80/20 principle in problem-solving to have a focused approach since time is the key constraint in consulting. This mindset is critical to thriving in the consulting world.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. My time at IIFM was filled with unforgettable memories that made those two years special. Returning to academics after two years of work was exhilarating, and I truly cherished studying such diverse topics, those group assignments, and the hostel environment a day before exams. I can’t miss out on mentioning the amazing food of the mess and especially that “Sunday Biryani”. Those birthday celebrations under the neem tree, interactions with batch as a Placement Coordinator, and all that planning for the President’s election. I thoroughly enjoyed playing cricket with our Super XI team, and I cannot forget the tough time I had when I suffered a knee injury (ACL tear) during an Independence Day Football match. I fondly remember how my batchmates helped me, carried me literally on their shoulders (as I could not walk for a few weeks), and helped me attend classes, get meals, etc.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. IIFM’s alumni network is definitely the most remarkable one- people are active and supportive. Over the years, I’ve connected with many remarkable IIFMites— Santosh Singh, Rahul Bharadwaj, Sreyamsa Bairiganjan, Nakul Dogra, Parul Sharma, Rahul Bist, Avinaw Prasad, Hemant Joshi to name a few. The beauty of this network lies in its diversity and the depth of expertise it offers. Whether I’m seeking career advice, discussing industry trends, or navigating significant life events, there’s always someone to reach out to and have invaluable guidance. Last year, I underwent significant surgery for ACL tear and meniscus repair. Before the surgery, I connected with our alumni Kularanjan Kujur (who also underwent a similar surgery) to understand the precautions, etc.
(PFM 2008)
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. IIFM impacted my life in so many ways – From believing to stay a bachelor throughout my life, it was here that I met my life partner, Nupur Maroti, who was also my batchmate😊
I am still in close touch with a few close buddies: Nitish (also my childhood friend), Parag, Amit Agarwal, Deepak Goyal, Anuj Bansal, Saurav Kumar, Anoop TP, and Rana Pujari. Also to mention the incredible faculty at IIFM, can’t miss out to acknowledge them – C.S. Rathore Sir, A.K. Dharni Sir, C.V.R.S. Vijaya Kumar Sir, Dr Yogesh Dubey are few of those whose learnings have a very lasting impact on my way of thinking and how I approach things currently.
Q. As an alumnus, what advice would you give to freshers or those joining IIFM to get the most out of the two years there?
A. If I could advise those just starting their journey at IIFM, I would say-embrace everything the institute offers. The diversity of sectors and fields where IIFM alumni thrive is a testament to the rich and varied experiences you’ll encounter here. Use these two years to explore, immerse yourself in different opportunities, and discover what excites you. This is your time to determine
where your passions lie and what you want to build your career upon. Dive in wholeheartedly, learn as much as possible, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.
Q. What you do while you are on a break / Hobbies/ Family?
A. For me weekends are all about family time, especially with our 3-year-old daughter, who keeps us on our toes! We love to spend our weekends engaging in activities that revolve around her. Whether exploring a new park, reading storybooks together, or enjoying a lazy day at home, our daughter is the center of our weekend fun. We also try to balance this with our hobbies when time permits. For me, it’s catching up on some reading or squeezing in a game of cricket. It’s all about creating those moments of joy and making the most of our time together as a family. I am also a cricket enthusiast, and I watch cricket religiously. I enjoy watching a Test match on a weekend/when time permits, especially if it is happening in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia).
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students?
A. I would gladly engage with students and the alumni committee in any form suitable. I could share my thoughts with those who want to understand more about market research and consulting career.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Nitish Bharadwaj, Nupur Maroti, Anoop TP, Rana Pujari, Amit Aggarwal, Deepak Goyal & Parag Bhide.