Growth in an Expert role in McKinsey

Question

Hello,

I have an offer as a sr. specalist role at McKinsey in expert track in data science. What are the growth options for the expert track as compared to traditional track? Is becoming a partner in expert track difficult and how long does it take to get to one?

I also have a tenative offer as a director at a fortune 500 corporation. Is it better to join McKinsey or a corporation as a director in terms of future growth opportunities?

Update: The director role is in a large multinational industrial company with revenue of 25+ B. It is a senior role, but not high enough to be an executive role (director -> sr. director -> vp). The growth in the company is bound to be slow though (3-5 years to promotion), considering folks I have spoken to in the company.

Answer 1

Hi!

You have to really understand what this role entails! Being an expert at McKinsey is (usually) extremely demanding regarding travel requirements and building your relevance internally! Data science is a hot topic currently, so that should play in your favor. However, your main concern for your career progression will be to create demand for your expertise and senior guidance you give to CSTs (client service teams - so the consultants who serve clients on the ground) worldwide! In order to be successful, (senior) experts usually have to work with CSTs across multiple geographies, and nearly all experts that I know are travelling ALL THE TIME across continents (e.g. Monday/Tuesday in the Middle East, Wednesday in Moscow, Thursday in Italy, Friday somewhere else in Europe, no home office day).

So the backing of senior partners and their willingness to guide and support you during the first 12 months at McKinsey will be crucial for you to generate the right traction and develop the required career growth momentum. The process is much less standardized then the "usual" path towards partnership.

Cheers, Sidi

Answer 2

Hi,

McKinsey has changed the org in recent years and now you have a partner track at expert positions. However, it still takes longer than for the generalist. On the bright side - the competition is lower and it's easier to build a case for promotion. Especially in data science - a hot topic right now.

Coming back to your case - Director in F500 could be a better title. It's a bit hard to say since depending on the company Director can be either a very high position, or a standard post MBA

Best

Answer 3

Hi,
I confirm the expert path lead to the partnership. Even if in terms of current position a director in F500 may be better than a senior expert in McK, the growth opportunities overturn the situation potentially in only 3 years.

Best,
Antonello

Answer 4

Hello!

McKinsey changed the carreer path structure in the past couple of years and indeed there are plenty of expert partners -I got them in more than half of my engagements, including one that was actually Advanced Analytics Expert Partner-.

It should not take longer than in the normal track -I know several cases that did it in the same time-.

Regarding the trade-off, it´s difficult to say without knowing more details about the other offer. However, the McK one is defenetly one to be taken into consideration -AA is growing crazy in McKinsey-.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara