Specialist - Defense and Security

McKinsey & Company; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 172,800 - 211,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement contributions program

Job summary

McKinsey & Company is seeking a dedicated professional for a role focused on supporting federal defense and security clients. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree, TS/SCI clearance, and a strong record of leadership. This position involves a significant amount of travel and project-based work to address critical issues.

In return, McKinsey offers a competitive salary of $192,000 annually along with a comprehensive benefits package to support the well-being of its employees and their families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree is a plus.
• TS/SCI clearance required.
• Outstanding record of academic and/or professional achievement.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

Responsibilities

• Support senior members of US defense and security community.
• Gather and analyze information for various projects.
• Formulate and test hypotheses and develop recommendations.

Skills

Analytical aptitude

Leadership experience

Collaboration

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

YOUR IMPACT

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem‑solver who is energized by challenges? You've come to the right place. You will be based in one of our North America office locations and dedicated to serving our federal defense and security clients. You will support senior members of the US defense and security community on some of their highest priority issues. You can expect up to 80% travel. Your work will include gathering and analyzing information, formulating and testing hypotheses, developing recommendations, and helping to implement sustainable changes. All your work will be project‑based and varied, involving strategy, operational performance improvement, risk and resource reallocation, organizational design and talent development, and digital issues.

YOUR GROWTH

• 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

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree is a plus (if you are less than 8 years out of undergrad, please include your GPA on your resume)
• TS/SCI clearance required
• Outstanding record of academic and/or professional achievement
• Demonstrated aptitude for analytics, both quantitative and qualitative
• Proven record of leadership at work or through extracurricular activities
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and effectively with people at all levels in an organization
• Commitment to high standards and core values
• Willingness to travel upwards of 80%
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing

Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

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.

Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. To help you understand what you can expect, the salary range for new joiners in this role in United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, is $192,000 - $192,000 USD gross per year. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest wages for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it is 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.