Career Alignment and Seniority Assessment for MBB-level Consulting Roles

Hi,

To answer your questions:

Profile alignment: Yes your profile is well suited to:

• Client-facing: Specialist/Expert track e.g. Strategy & Corporate Finance Practice. 

  It really just depends on what you want to do.

  Because you can be a generalist consultant and just do alot of financial or regulatory studies (projects), or you can be a specialist. 

• Internal roles: Finance, Risk & Compliance would be the best places

Seniority:

I can't tell how senior the role you're currently at, but I would assume:

• Client-facing: Associate Partner or Engagement Manager.
• Back-office: Director levels 

What I recommend:

1. Look at the roles available on their websites and look at people on Linkedin - this is to give yourself a feel as to what you could do, what kind of person you want to become.  

    

2. Reflect and answer the questions:

• Why become a consultant?
• Do I just want another company and do the same job? (Go for internal roles)
• Do I want to do a semi-pivot and do something different but use my skills (Go Consulting and see what roles are available - I think given your experience you'd probably be able to come in at a more senior role for an Expert Track)

Then once you're ready :

• Tailor your CV
• Start case-prepping 

Happy to chat :)

Your profile is highly relevant for consulting, particularly in financial services and transformation-focused roles. Regarding:

1. Fit for MBB?

Yes, your background aligns well with MBB, especially in their Risk, Compliance, and Finance practices. Your blend of Big 4 consulting, industry leadership, and academic experience is compelling for firms looking for experienced hires with subject-matter expertise.

You may be especially well-suited for:

• Expert Track roles (e.g., McKinsey Risk/Finance, BCG Financial Institutions practice)
• Implementation roles if you enjoy operational delivery
• Potentially generalist consulting with FS focus, depending on how broad your current role is

2. Appropriate seniority level?

Given your leadership of transformation initiatives and prior consulting experience, Associate Partner (McKinsey), Principal (BCG), or Senior Manager (Strategy& / Big 4) could be realistic targets. Entry point may vary depending on firm and geography, but Senior Manager or equivalent is a strong starting point to explore.

Final tip:

Tailor your application to highlight strategic impact, stakeholder leadership, and transformation ownership; that’s what sets senior profiles apart in MBB interviews.

Happy to help refine your story or application if you’d like to connect further!

Hi there, 

I was in risk practice of McKinsey for three years, feel free to DM me for a private chat to discuss. Happy to help you calibrate. 

Best,

Han

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing your profile.

In short, yes, you have an attractive profile for consulting. It's important how this is effectively communicated in the CV, so make sure you write a good one. Also try and get referrals for all the top firms before applying. 

You might find this article useful on how to build a solid application strategy:

• Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

As to what seniority to apply for, discuss this directly with the recruiter from each firm that you are targeting. The expectations differ between firms and often times the recruiter might even suggest roles that are not available online but would be most relevant to you.

Best,
Cristian

You look more like the profile of a management consulting (more focused on operational and process topics) and strategy consulting based solely on your experience. 

That doesn't mean MBB will not value you and "convert" you if they need someone with your sector knowledge and they have a risk practice in your target office.

Your experience should land you a Manager role.

hey there!

Your background in regulatory reporting, risk management, finance transformation, and financial services consulting from Big 4 firms positions you well for roles in MBB (McKinsey, BCG, and Bain). These firms often look for candidates with strong sector experience, leadership abilities, and deep subject-matter expertise—particularly in highly regulated industries like financial services.

Here’s a breakdown of your alignment with MBB and the appropriate seniority level:

Alignment with MBB:

• Strong Fit for MBB: Your experience in financial services, regulatory compliance, and finance transformation would be valuable to MBB, especially in their financial services and risk management practices.
• Your leadership experience in transforming a business unit and overseeing large projects shows you have a strategic mindset and the ability to lead complex change initiatives, which MBB values in candidates.
• Additionally, your role as a university lecturer indicates thought leadership, which is attractive for consulting firms that value a mix of practical and academic expertise.

Seniority Level:

• Consultant/Associate: Given your Big 4 experience and leadership in transformation projects, you may be more suited to a Consultant or Associate level, as these are typically for candidates with 2-5 years of consulting experience. However, in some cases, MBB firms may hire senior consultants or associates with specialized industry expertise at the mid-senior level.
• Senior Manager: Your leadership in transformation roles might allow you to aim for a Senior Manager position, depending on your overall experience with client-facing work and whether you have led teams on consulting projects (beyond just internal projects). If your Big 4 experience was mostly client-facing and involved managing teams and delivering strategy-driven projects, this level could be appropriate.
• Director/Manager (depending on the firm): If you have significant experience leading large-scale transformation projects, you might consider exploring Director/Manager roles, especially in firms like BCG or McKinsey that often look for consultants with a high degree of leadership and client engagement.

What You Could Focus on:

1. Client-Facing Experience: Emphasize any direct client consulting work you’ve done, especially in financial services or regulatory reporting. The more client interaction and external consulting experience you have, the better.
2. Leadership and Transformation: Highlight your leadership experience in transforming business units, especially those with regulatory or risk management focus. MBB will be looking for your ability to lead teams and navigate complex transformations.
3. Industry Expertise: Your deep understanding of financial markets, regulation, and risk management will be a strong asset. Make sure to highlight this expertise, as many MBB firms focus on hiring specialists for key industries.

In Summary:

• MBB Alignment: Yes, you are well-aligned with MBB, especially in the financial services and risk management areas.
• Seniority: Depending on your experience, you may aim for a Consultant or Senior Consultant position. However, if you’ve been in leadership roles and managing projects with clients directly, a Senior Manager role could be a possibility.

Networking with consultants already in the firm and exploring these opportunities through referrals or informational interviews could help clarify the exact level and expectations for your profile.

Alessa