GLG Expert Council

The GLG Expert Council is an expert network operated by Gerson Lehrman Group. Instead of listing traditional vacancies, it functions as a marketplace connecting business professionals with institutional clients such as private equity firms, hedge funds, strategy consultancies, and corporate development teams. Clients use the network to conduct due diligence, understand competitive landscapes, and evaluate market trends. As an expert, your role is to take part in one-on-one advisory consultations—typically over the phone or via video—to share your operational experience and industry perspective.

For a jobseeker in Dubai or the wider region, GLG represents a distinct freelance opportunity. It is not an alternative to an employment contract, but rather an avenue to monetize specialized domain knowledge, maintain an active professional profile, and generate supplemental income, whether you are currently employed, consulting, or between roles.

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How the Platform Works

The primary mechanic of the GLG Expert Council is the paid advisory call, which usually lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. When a client launches a research project—for instance, an investment fund evaluating supply chain software, a healthcare firm expanding into the Gulf, or a private equity group acquiring a regional logistics company—GLG identifies council members whose resumes match the required expertise.

The typical process follows a specific sequence:

• Invitation: You receive an email or platform notification about a potential project matching your background, alongside a short list of screening questions.
• Screening: You submit brief written answers to confirm your direct experience with the topic, competitor, or technology in question, and verify you have no legal or contractual conflicts.
• Scheduling: If the client selects your profile, GLG coordinates a call time that fits your schedule.
• Consultation: You speak with the client to share broad industry dynamics, market practices, and operational lessons learned.
• Payment: GLG processes your payment based on the time spent on the call at your agreed hourly consulting rate.

What It Costs

It is completely free to create an account and join the GLG Expert Council. GLG does not charge membership fees, platform subscription costs, or commissions to the expert. The company operates by billing its corporate clients directly for the consultation time, applying its own markup on top of the rate you set for your advisory services.

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Who It Suits

GLG works across virtually every major industry, from banking, energy, and construction to telecommunications, retail, and pharmaceuticals. However, acceptance and call volume depend heavily on how niche, current, and relevant your operational knowledge is. It tends to suit:

• Mid- to Senior-Level Managers: Professionals who make or influence purchasing decisions, manage departmental budgets, or understand operational workflows.
• Former Employees of Key Vendors: Clients often want to understand how particular software, industrial equipment, or enterprise services perform from those who have worked with them directly.
• Regional Market Operators: Professionals with on-the-ground experience in UAE and Middle Eastern regulatory environments, infrastructure development, or commercial expansion.
• Contractors and Freelance Advisors: Independent professionals looking to fill downtime with high-value micro-consulting engagements.

It is less suitable for entry-level workers, recent graduates, or generalists who lack direct commercial or operational decision-making experience. Clients are paying premium rates for specific, practical answers rather than generic advice.

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What You Get Out of It

The most immediate benefit is supplemental income. Council members establish their own hourly consulting rates, and because clients are well-funded investment firms and multinational corporations, effective hourly earnings can be substantial compared to general freelance platforms. Calls are prorated to the minute if they run over or under the scheduled duration.

Beyond direct compensation, consultations offer a window into what the market and institutional investors are currently prioritizing. The questions clients ask can give you early signals on where investments are flowing, which competitors are gaining traction, and what operational challenges companies are trying to solve. Engaging in these discussions helps keep your commercial instincts sharp, particularly if you are in the middle of a career transition.

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Limitations and Important Considerations

While the earning potential on an hourly basis can be high, anyone considering GLG must be realistic about its structural limitations:

• Irregular Workload: GLG is not a steady source of income. You might receive three project invitations in a single week and then hear nothing for two months. It is impossible to forecast earnings reliably.
• Unpaid Screening Time: You must answer project qualification questions to be considered for a call. If the client decides your experience does not fit or selects another advisor, you receive no compensation for the time spent applying.
• Strict Compliance Boundaries: GLG enforces rigorous compliance protocols. You are strictly forbidden from sharing material non-public information, violating non-disclosure agreements, or discussing your current employer if your contract prohibits it.
• Employment Restrictions: If you are employed under a standard UAE labor contract, review your terms regarding outside income, moonlighting, or consulting in the same sector. Many professionals consult strictly on former industries or neutral operational practices to remain fully compliant.

Setting Up for Success

If you decide to join, accuracy and detail are essential. Ensure your work history explicitly lists the specific software platforms, vendors, regulatory frameworks, and market segments you have dealt with. Institutional clients search GLG's database using exact keywords rather than broad job titles. When setting your hourly rate, choose a figure that reflects your seniority without pricing yourself out of routine research calls, and respond to project invitations as quickly as possible, as clients often fill call slots within hours.