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Ilija

Capabilities and Insights AnalystZagreb

Ilija chose McKinsey to work hard and learn fast. With the support of his managers and McKinsey leaders, he created a new role that strikes the right balance of analyst and consultant.

I am grateful for my sponsors, mentors, and peers who continuously raise the bar while guiding me. I always expected to work hard and learn fast here, but I never expected to work with such caring colleagues.

I come from Bosnia-Herzegovina, and I am the first of my family to attend university and finish post-graduate studies. 

I moved to Croatia to start my bachelor studies in economics, including a student exchange and internship program in Germany. I moved to Belgium to earn my master’s in finance from Antwerp Management School.

Before joining McKinsey, I did a finance internship in Germany and one in procurement and logistics at a SME company in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

I joined the McKinsey Client Capabilities team in Zagreb when it was a one-person team. Thanks to the great research output and the growth of the Zagreb office, the research demand increased, allowing for additional hiring. Today, we continue to grow.

Why I chose McKinsey

I chose to come here because the firm provides unparalleled professional development, including in-person training with excellent internal and external faculty and mentorship through our McKinsey Mentorship program. Plus, I could still have a global impact while working in Croatia.

Making my own McKinsey

I created a completely new role within the team. Now, I hold a role that’s perfect for me—a combination of senior research analyst and client-development hub manager.

I wanted to take on consulting responsibilities, for example, coleading client development. So, my managers taught me how to become a client leader. Together, we created the business case and job description for the role. Leadership then gave me the freedom to try it.

I am grateful for my sponsors, mentors, and peers who continuously raise the bar while guiding me to take on new, challenging responsibilities. I always expected to work hard and learn fast here, but I never expected to work with such caring colleagues.

My life outside of work

I am a proud husband and a father of two kids. My weekends are dedicated to family, and we love to spend them outdoors or exploring Mediterranean cuisine.

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EDUCATION

Antwerp Management School
MBA, finance