Communication and storytelling key skills, finds strategy manager

Accenture’s Sophie Rowe discusses her work in the consulting space and how she stays motivated.

During her master’s degree at University College Dublin, Sophie Rowe, a customer strategy manager at Accenture Song, came to the realisation that she didn’t yet have a clear idea of what she wanted her career to look like. 

She told SiliconRepublic.com, “When I discovered consulting, it was the variety that immediately appealed to me. The opportunity to work across different industries, roles and projects, and to have a day-to-day that isn’t fixed in the long term, really stood out. I liked the idea of continuously learning and evolving rather than following a single, predefined path.”

What educational and work experiences led you to the role you now have?

I completed a BSc in neuroscience followed by a master’s in business and biotechnology. I knew I wanted to move towards the commercial side of science, and the master’s provided a strong bridge between those two worlds. During that time, I applied to the Accenture graduate programme, which marked the start of my consulting career. Those decisions are what have led me to my current role as a customer strategy manager, working with life sciences clients in Accenture Song.

What were the biggest surprises or challenges you encountered along the way?

When I first started my career, fresh out of college, I found it challenging to back myself and my work, especially when dealing with senior or difficult stakeholders. Not everyone will agree with you and there isn’t always a clear right answer.

Early on, I learned the importance of doing your research, forming a clear point of view and backing it up with evidence. Whether you’re proposing a new strategy, changing a process or introducing a new tool, you need to explain the rationale behind your thinking clearly and confidently. That confidence comes from strong preparation, using data and proof points to support your ideas so you can challenge constructively and stand by your recommendations.

Learning to replace that uncertainty with evidence-backed confidence was a key turning point in my career.

Was there anyone particularly influential in your career development?

I was fortunate to have some incredible female managers early in my career at Accenture, who had a significant influence on how I developed professionally. They taught me not only how to deliver high-quality work and navigate the consulting environment, but also how to lead with empathy and advocate for myself. They helped me recognise the importance of clearly articulating my achievements and contributions, something that doesn’t always come naturally, particularly for women. That lesson was pivotal to my progression.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The variety that initially drew me to consulting is still one of the things I enjoy most. I love tackling different types of client problems, especially now in the context of rapid AI and technology advancements. Over my career, I’ve worked on everything from retail customer strategy transformations to nationwide marketing campaigns designed to shift customer behaviour. Then there are also the people. I’m very much a people person and working alongside such talented, supportive teams makes all the difference, especially during the high-pressure periods.

What aspects of your personality make you well suited to this role?

My communication and storytelling skills are ones that I use every day in my role. In an environment increasingly shaped by AI, the ability to tell a clear, compelling story is more important than ever, whether that’s to engage challenging stakeholders, align cross-functional teams or to help bring strategy to life.

How has Accenture supported your career growth?

Accenture has provided a huge amount of opportunity to grow and stretch myself. There’s a strong culture of raising your hand, whether that’s contributing to thought leadership, running client or community events, or taking on additional project responsibility. That encouragement to step up has been key to my progression.

I’ve also been supported in external learning, such as completing a ‘mini MBA’ in marketing, which has been brilliant in ensuring I keep learning.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Absorb as much as you can – not just the work itself, but how senior leaders operate, collaborate and approach problem-solving. There’s so much to learn from the people around you, especially early in your career. Be curious, ask questions and don’t be afraid to seek advice. Taking that time to observe and learn will be hugely beneficial for your career.

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.