Client Capabilities Network Analytics Grad Program

McKinsey & Company; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global consulting firm is seeking participants for its Analytics Graduate Program in Johannesburg. This role focuses on AI and machine learning, offering a 10-month immersive experience. Candidates will work on impactful projects, develop critical skills, and receive mentorship while collaborating with diverse teams. A strong academic background and proficiency in Python are essential. Exceptional performance may lead to full-time opportunities.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Mentorship from senior practitioners

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong academic track record in relevant field.
• Experience with data science tools and languages is required.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and initiative.

Responsibilities

• Work across the full AI value chain.
• Develop and deploy AI solutions.
• Collaborate with clients and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Python

Data analysis

Machine learning

Commercial thinking

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in data analytics, computer science, or related fields

Tools

AWS

Docker

Kubernetes

SQL

Job description

Overview

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'll 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. 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.

At McKinsey’s CCN Analytics Graduate Program, you’ll work at the forefront of machine learning, generative AI, and emerging agentic AI technologies, helping leading organisations navigate into the age of Artificial Intelligence.

You’ll work across the full AI value chain, from big-picture thinking to hands-on building and coding:

• Setting AI strategy and operating model – Help a client decide where AI can create value across their business and put together a five-year AI roadmap. Shape how a client’s AI department should be structured to deliver the plan (how many data scientists, data engineers, software engineers, designers; what is the tech stack; what is the investment needed).
• Reimagine a business function – Redesign how different functions could work in an AI-native future. For example, we recently redesigned a financial services firm’s fraud detection department to be fully AI native with machine learning-based fraud detection, virtual AI agents that conduct desktop inspections of suspicious cases and gen AI co-pilots to assist field inspectors.
• Build and deploy AI solutions – Develop and scale AI components in the reimagined business functions using the latest tech stack: Python, PySpark, the PyData stack, SQL, Airflow, Kedro, Dask / RAPIDS, container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, cloud solutions such as AWS, GCP, and Azure, and more.

Working alongside clients and other McKinsey colleagues, you’ll combine research, expert and client interviews, data analysis, brainstorming in the team room over snacks and cracking open VSCode / your-favourite-code-editor to generate fresh insights and breakthrough models. You will then present your findings and recommendations to client stakeholders.

You will work with some of the most influential organizations around, from Fortune 500 giants to innovative startups. Your clients will span multiple industries – we’ve helped clients use AI for everything from optimising end-of-season pricing for retailers, to hyper-personalising in-app customer experiences for banks, to supporting national space agencies in launching spacecraft.

You will work in cross-functional teams of business consultants and techies. Our people come from all walks of life (engineers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, mathematicians, movie directors) and all four corners of the world.

You’ll learn :

• Commercial thinking – Every project starts with a clear numerical target such as increasing revenue, reducing costs, improving customer satisfaction, etc. You’ll learn how to apply AI not just to build cool models, but to hit real numbers.
• Cutting-edge tech – You’ll work hands-on with the latest tools and methods: machine learning, generative AI (e.g., LangChain and foundation models), data engineering, cloud computing, and emerging agentic AI frameworks. You’ll sharpen your skills through real project work and mentorship from senior practitioners.
• Different industries – You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of industries from banking to energy to public sector, learning how different organisations think and operate.
• Problem-solving and storytelling – You’ll learn how to break down messy problems, structure AI solutions to balance impact and complexity, and communicate your insights with clarity.

You’ll also be supported by a global network of experts, world-class training programs, and tailored mentorship. As we like to say – feedback is a gift. Whether you want to go deep in AI, lead teams, or one day launch your own startup as a CTO or CEO, what you learn at McKinsey will last you a lifetime.

The Analytics Graduate Program is a 10-month immersive experience designed for early-career professionals eager to accelerate their growth. Based in our Johannesburg office, you’ll be part of the broader Client Capabilities Hub in Africa, working on McKinsey client projects alongside our consultants.

Throughout the program, you’ll build critical skills in leadership, analytics, and business strategy, while receiving mentorship, sponsorship, and developmental guidance from firm leaders.

While this is a fixed-term contract, exceptional performance during the program will make you eligible to apply for full-time opportunities at McKinsey. Please upload your university transcripts along with your CV.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in data analytics, computer science, machine learning, applied statistics, mathematics or artificial intelligence, with a strong academic track record
• Experience (academic or professional) with data science tools and languages : Python (must), and possibly others like R, SPSS, SAS, or Hadoop
• Willingness to work on high-stakes problems that shape industries, solving tough challenges and learning from the best
• Entreprenuerial mindset with commercial instinct, and willingness to take initiative, and build the skills to lead teams, ventures, or products
• Ability to take ownership of your workstream, plan your approach, and deliver results—while managing competing demands and tight deadlines