Consulting
Focused, passionate and experienced, you rely on your own expertise to drive change. You are forward thinking, a structured yet flexible problem solver, and love learning about new industries or working at the cutting edge of your own area of expertise. Whether building a team of experts or bringing a multifaceted project to completion, you are driven by impact and relish your role as a leader.
Consulting at McKinsey falls into two main areas:
Generalist Consulting
Generalist consultants are highly adaptable, offering experience in a wide variety of disciplines, plus a willingness to learn and expand their knowledge across new industries or functions. Our consultants work with experts across the firm to solve complex problems and drive transformational change.
Practice Consulting
Practice consultants are experts in any number of fields who apply their deep, specialized knowledge to uncover new insights and convention-challenging perspectives to over 2,000 institutions worldwide, from start-ups to global enterprises—including 90 of the top 100 companies.
Generalist Consulting at McKinsey
The best part is the strong sense of support.”
Sizwe
Junior Associate, Johannesburg
Before joining McKinsey, Sizwe, a Junior Associate in Johannesburg, worked primarily for companies that were less than two years old. While they were exciting entrepreneurial environments, ultimately, he was yearning for something more.
“I knew I would have accelerated professional development through the McKinsey consulting experience. It was great to immediately have a group of people wanting to help me be successful.”
In addition to client work, Sizwe has set up secondments for consultants working with start-ups in the Innovation Hub in Pretoria. He’s also worked on a digital summit for more than 100 C-level business leaders, showcasing cutting-edge digital techniques.
Explore Generalist Consulting roles at McKinsey
Intern
As an intern, you’ll join a team of consultants for a truly representative experience of what it’s like to be a member of our team. Our most common intern roles—although they vary globally—include Business Analyst Interns and Associate Interns, who typically join us during their undergraduate studies and MBA or other advanced degree programs, respectively.
Business Analyst
As a Business Analyst, you will work in small, diverse teams to help our clients solve some of their most difficult problems. Most analysts—sometimes called Fellows—join McKinsey directly after their undergraduate studies or after a few years of work experience. Advanced degrees are not typically required.
Associate
As an associate, you’ll work hand-in-hand with colleagues and clients to solve difficult business challenges across industries and functions. You’ll have the opportunity to both lead and to learn from others. Associates typically join McKinsey after finishing an advanced degree or after more extensive work experience in their field.
Intern
As an intern, you’ll join a team of consultants for a truly representative experience of what it’s like to be a member of our team. Our most common intern roles—although they vary globally—include Business Analyst Interns and Associate Interns, who typically join us during their undergraduate studies and MBA or other advanced degree programs, respectively.
Business Analyst
As a Business Analyst, you will work in small, diverse teams to help our clients solve some of their most difficult problems. Most analysts—sometimes called Fellows—join McKinsey directly after their undergraduate studies or after a few years of work experience. Advanced degrees are not typically required.
Associate
As an associate, you’ll work hand-in-hand with colleagues and clients to solve difficult business challenges across industries and functions. You’ll have the opportunity to both lead and to learn from others. Associates typically join McKinsey after finishing an advanced degree or after more extensive work experience in their field.
Practice Consulting at McKinsey
I’ve received tremendous help and support from my leadership and teammates.”
Lingxiao
Engagement Manager, Shanghai
Before joining McKinsey, Lingxiao was a journalist with offers from several major media companies. But after returning to China, she joined McKinsey’s Shanghai office to take her career to the next level.
“I wanted to go beyond my media experience and sharpen my business knowledge and skills.”
As an Engagement Manager, Lingxiao focuses on digital and innovation, and currently works with a start-up client, co-building an online real estate rental and sales platform in China.
Functions within Practice Consulting
Digital
Work on everything from IT and strategy to cybersecurity and digital transformation.
Explore rolesOperations
Assist clients in solving complex operational problems from diagnosis to implementation.
Explore rolesRisk
Help organizations enhance their resilience through skill building and risk asset management.
Explore rolesMarketing & Sales
Expose client organizations to the full potential of omni-channel marketing and sales opportunities.
Explore rolesOrganization
Help clients master change and manage people through mergers, turnarounds, and reorgs.
Explore rolesStrategy & Corporate Finance
Help clients build enduring value with strategic, financial, and transactional advisory services.
Explore roles
Explore Practice Consulting roles at McKinsey
Consultant – Risk Dynamics
As a Risk Dynamics Consultant, you will be part of a team of exceptional risk analytics professionals supporting clients in a variety of industries. You will communicate complex analytics concepts to key client stakeholders, helping to develop and implement tailored concepts for risk recognition, measurement, and control.
Associate – Manufacturing
As a Manufacturing Associate, you’ll work directly with clients, acting as a source of expertise, blending forward-thinking strategy with hands-on practicality. You will use your expertise to redesign systems and networks, and help drive improvements to the overall execution of large operations.
Experienced Consultant – Service Operations
As an Experienced Service Operations Consultant, you’ll work with both colleagues and client staff to develop innovative service operations. By implementing holistic transformations with cross-cutting capabilities you’ll help deliver significant and sustainable cost impact for our client organizations.
Consultant – Risk Dynamics
As a Risk Dynamics Consultant, you will be part of a team of exceptional risk analytics professionals supporting clients in a variety of industries. You will communicate complex analytics concepts to key client stakeholders, helping to develop and implement tailored concepts for risk recognition, measurement, and control.
Associate – Manufacturing
As a Manufacturing Associate, you’ll work directly with clients, acting as a source of expertise, blending forward-thinking strategy with hands-on practicality. You will use your expertise to redesign systems and networks, and help drive improvements to the overall execution of large operations.
Experienced Consultant – Service Operations
As an Experienced Service Operations Consultant, you’ll work with both colleagues and client staff to develop innovative service operations. By implementing holistic transformations with cross-cutting capabilities you’ll help deliver significant and sustainable cost impact for our client organizations.
Considerations before you apply
- Keywords
- Use keyword search to identify specific opportunities that match your experience.
- Qualifications
- Review qualifications and requirements in each job posting to confirm the position is a good fit for your skills.
- Languages
- Keep in mind that fluency in the local language—and fluency in English—is a requirement of most positions.