Procurement

Specialist, External Capabilities and Insights (Expert Network Services)

Job ID: 93922

Join a highly dynamic team of professionals managing a portfolio of external resources that power client service across the firm. The External Capabilities and Insights (eC&I) team serves as a Center of Excellence, supporting Client Service Teams (CSTs) and Practices through Strategic Category Management, Risk mitigation and Optimized resource management.

  • Boston
  • Miramar
  • New Jersey
  • Tampa
+ 3 More
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Do you want to work on complex and pressing challenges—the kind that bring together curious, ambitious, and determined leaders who strive to become better every day? If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place.

Your Impact

In this role, you will work closely with the Global ENS,  Expert, the Director of eC&I, Partners, and local leadership to ensure the delivery of the eC&I value proposition and drive excellence across an integral portfolio.  
You will be based in one of our approved U.S. Office locations (Miramar, Boston, Newark or Tampa), and report directly to the eC&I Expert. 
You will contribute to the development and global implementation of the ENS category strategy, collaborating with the team to codify a clear vision and gain buy-in for critical outcomes. 
These include achieving 100% adoption of the buying channel, implementing GenAI capabilities, invoice automation, and enhancing risk management controls for CSTs and offices. 
You will build an ecosystem of advanced external capabilities that align with practice-specific client strategies, innovation priorities, and knowledge needs. 
You will safeguard the firm by managing third-party risks associated with external capabilities. 
You will drive high usage, minimizing costs, and optimizing investment management through best-in-class processes. 
You will manage vendor relationships, ranging from large strategic partners to regional specialists, balancing competitive pressures while overseeing negotiations, financial management, risk mitigation, and governance adherence. Your work will ensure that resource utilization aligns with the firm’s objectives. 
Tracking KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), you will continuously seek opportunities to optimize the ENS portfolio, lead cells to innovation outcomes, and manage significant investments in some of the firm’s largest and most complex initiatives. 
You will play a critical role in developing Navigator, expanding its reach to surveys, enhancing CST education, and implementing greater controls for offices and CSTs. 
You will support the management of complex and emerging risk topics, working across diverse stakeholder groups and demonstrating skill in navigating challenging situations. 

Your Growth

You will engage and collaborate with Partners, Experts, Directors, and Asset Leaders to ensure that the right external resources are deployed at the right time, helping teams deliver distinctive client impact. You will also be responsible for supporting high-value investment initiatives, overseeing the incubation of new external capabilities, and help steward some of the firm’s most complex and high-stakes investments. In doing so, you will provide strategic guidance on third-party relationships, streamline account dynamics, and work closely with senior account executives to shape commercial agreements that drive long-term, sustainable outcomes. 
Risk management and compliance will be key aspects of your role. You will collaborate with Legal, Risk, and Finance teams to assess and mitigate third-party risks, protect intellectual property, and implement best-in-class governance frameworks. Your ability to balance commercial needs with firm priorities will be critical in shaping an external capabilities strategy that is both innovative and secure. 
You will contribute to strengthening the firm’s external knowledge strategy by codifying best practices and sharing insights across eC&I. Your role will also involve monitoring emerging market trends, tracking competitive dynamics, and staying ahead of new entrants and industry developments. Additionally, you will help drive efficiencies in vendor management processes, optimize investment recovery planning, and ensure seamless integration of external resources into firm operations. 

Your qualifications and skills

  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred 
  • 6+ years of experience in consulting, research, or resource management  
  • Deep understanding of the external capabilities landscape and expertise in strategic resource management
  • Strong problem-solving, communication, and client service skills
  • Proven success in business development and entrepreneurial projects, with excellent project management capabilities, multitasking abilities, and experience working with senior stakeholders 
  • Ability to engage and influence leadership as a peer and collaborate effectively across diverse firm teams 
  • Knowledge of the information industry, client use cases, and related risks is a plus
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with adaptability to dynamic and changing environments
  • Experience working in large global corporations, with skills in managing budgets, performance metrics, and negotiations
Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.
Capabilities
  • Firm Administration
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FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. For new joiners for this role in the United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, a reasonable estimated range is $138,400 - $142,100 USD —to help you understand what you can expect. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest [salary/hourly wages] for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors like your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.

Job Skill Group - N/A
Job Skill Code - RPS - Relationship Portfolio Specialist
Function - Firm Administration
Industry -
Post to LinkedIn - Yes
Posted to LinkedIn Date - Fri Jan 24 00:00:00 GMT 2025
LinkedIn Posting City - Boston
LinkedIn Posting State/Province - Massachusetts 
LinkedIn Posting Country - United States
LinkedIn Job Title - Specialist, External Capabilities and Insights (Expert Network Services)
LinkedIn Function - Research;Strategy / Planning
LinkedIn Industry - Management Consulting
LinkedIn Seniority Level - Associate