Expert Associate Partner - Banking & Applied AI at McKinsey & Company

Locations

• Atlanta
• Austin
• Boston
• Charlotte
• Chicago
• Cleveland
• Columbus
• Connecticut - Darien
• Dallas
• Detroit
• Houston

Responsibilities

As a senior leader at the intersection of deep financial services domain expertise and cutting‑edge artificial intelligence, you will own advanced agentic‑system delivery on the ground with clients, advise C‑suite executives on strategic AI roadmaps, and actively shape the firm's global point of view on how AI transforms the banking landscape. You will lead complex client engagements by directing end‑to‑end transformations—from hypothesis‑setting through production implementation—to solve the most complex AI and banking challenges in the market, and advise at the C‑suite level by partnering directly with bank executives (CEOs, CIOs, CFOs, CROs, Heads of AI/ML, and Heads of Risk) as a trusted advisor, translating complex technical architectures into strategic business value. You will also architect and code, maintaining a hands‑on “player‑coach” stance by actively designing agent loops, architecting multi‑agent systems, writing core code when needed, and guiding engineering teams through debugging production traces. Additionally, you will build scalable assets by pioneering and institutionalizing reusable assets, proprietary frameworks, and industry‑leading points of view that can be deployed across the firm’s global portfolio, scale high‑performing teams by recruiting, mentoring, and growing an elite bench of consultants and engineers who bridge the gap between banking literacy and deep AI engineering, and represent QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey externally as a prominent voice for the firm—presenting at major client events, speaking at industry forums, and publishing thought leadership.

Qualifications

• Strong academic credentials (MBA or equivalent experience preferred; engineering, computer science, or quantitative research background is highly valued)
• 12+ years of progressive experience, blending senior advisory/consulting (top‑tier strategy or boutique), in‑house banking operations/P&L leadership (not strictly staff or strategy), and hands‑on AI systems engineering
• Proven track record of designing, building, and shipping production‑grade AI—specific expertise in agentic systems and LLM applications
• Recognized as an authority in at least one banking domain (e.g., Retail/Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, Payments, Capital Markets, Risk & Treasury, or Compliance) through publications, speaking engagements, or proven industry impact
• Exceptional ability to command trust and guide cross‑functional teams under pressure, with a demonstrated ability to sit comfortably as the most technical leader in an executive boardroom
• Willingness to travel (typically 60‑80%) and work dynamically to meet the needs of our global clients

Benefits

• 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.

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.

Most U.S. jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. The salary range for new joiners in this role across United States office locations is $243,000 – $249,000 USD gross per year. Actual salaries may vary based on location, experience, start date and organizational needs. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on individual and/or organizational performance.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that 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 contribution 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.