Associate - Construction and Infrastructure Projects

McKinsey & Company; Darien (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey & Company is seeking a senior operations advisor to help clients develop and define operating strategies across industries, with a focus on performance improvement and change management.

You will work directly with clients and global colleagues, leading or contributing to projects, leveraging automation and digital processes to unlock rapid performance gains while navigating complex environments and travel up to 80% as needed.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• 6+ years of progressive experience at large multinational firms.
• Experience in mega-capital construction projects with leadership in performance improvement.
• Field-based experience in oil and gas, mining, energy, or chemicals.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to initiate tasks independently.
• Ability to create deliverables (PowerPoint decks, Excel models, articles).
• Excellent time management in largely autonomous environments.
• Willingness to travel up to 80% and work flexible hours.
• Strong verbal and written communication in English and local languages.

Responsibilities

• Advise on operational strategies and implement recommendations.
• Collaborate with clients and colleagues globally to share expertise.
• Drive automation and digital processes to unlock rapid performance gains.
• Lead and contribute to multiple projects across diverse situations.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Time management

Communication

Team collaboration

Presentation skills

Problem solving

Travel willingness

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

YOUR IMPACT

Blending strategic thinking with hands‑on experiences, advising on developing and defining operational strategies to help our clients around the world solve their most critical problems.

In your role you will provide a unique set of tools and techniques to help clients identify opportunities for improvement, and you will implement recommendations in support of our clients' business objectives. You will work directly with clients while sharing your expertise and insights with colleagues globally, thereby expanding our knowledge and refining our approaches in Service Operations.

You will make meaningful, hands‑on contributions to multiple projects across a dynamic set of situations in a way that utilizes your deep knowledge of functional transformations. To be successful, you will leverage automation and digital processes to help our clients realize significant performance improvements quickly. You will push both your co‑workers and our clients to think about challenging situations in new and transformative ways.

YOUR GROWTH

Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high‑performance/high‑reward culture – doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we’ll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues at all levels will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day you will receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast‑paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World‑class benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Undergraduate degree required; master’s degree in engineering, business, operations, or related disciplines preferred.
• 6+ years of relevant experience that includes a progressive career trajectory, outstanding professional achievement, and impact, preferably with large, multi‑national companies/organizations.
• Experience in a high‑performance, mega‑capital excellence construction projects, specifically demonstrating leadership skills in performance improvement & change management; project management experience is preferred.
• Field‑based experience working on projects in one or more of the following industries: oil and gas, mining, energy, chemicals.
• Excellent organizational capabilities, including the ability to initiate tasks independently and see them through to completion.
• Ability to create work‑product‑focused materials/outputs, which may include PowerPoint decks, Excel models, articles, or other written deliverables.
• Exceptional time management to meet your responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment.
• Ability to work or attend meetings outside of traditional business hours or take on projects with limited or no notice at times.
• Highly capable problem solver, able to work on complex problems requiring strong analytical, conceptual, and quantitative ability.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and create an inclusive environment with people at all levels of an organization.
• Ability to travel up to 80% and work in varying environments that may be challenging and/or not accessible (e.g., factories, hospitals, mines).
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and local office language(s), with the ability to adjust your style to suit different perspectives and seniority levels.

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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.

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.