McKinsey & Company Data‑Science Jobs in 2025: Your Complete UK Guide to Turning Data into Impact

5 min read

When CEOs need to unlock billion‑pound efficiencies or launch AI‑first products, they often call McKinsey & Company. What many graduates don’t realise is that behind every famous strategy deck sits a global network of data scientists, engineers and AI practitioners—unified under QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey. From optimising Formula One pit stops to reducing NHS wait times, McKinsey’s analytics teams turn messy data into operational gold. With the launch of the McKinsey AI Studio in late 2024 and sustained demand for GenAI strategy, the firm is growing its UK analytics headcount faster than ever.

The McKinsey careers portal lists 350+ open analytics roles worldwide, over 120 in the UK, spanning data science, machine‑learning engineering, data engineering, product management and AI consulting. Whether you love Python notebooks, Airflow DAGs, or white‑boarding an LLM governance roadmap for a FTSE 100 board, this guide details how to land a McKinsey data‑science job in 2025.

Why McKinsey Remains a Top Destination for UK Data Scientists in 2025

1. Impact at Global Scale

McKinsey serves 70 % of the Fortune 100; one ML model can shave £100 m from a client’s logistics bill or prevent thousands of tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

2. QuantumBlack Legacy + Consulting Reach

Acquired in 2015, QuantumBlack melds data‑science rigour with McKinsey’s industry access. Teams deploy ML solutions end‑to‑end—strategy, build, and capability‑building.

3. Career Flexibility

Start as a data engineer, pivot to product management, or transition into pure strategy while keeping technical credibility. Internal mobility is encouraged via "Grow" platform.

4. Learning Culture & Resources

Employees get 10 % protected learning time, free Coursera & DeepLearning.AI licences, and GPU credits for self‑driven research.


2025 Hiring Outlook: GenAI, Sustainability & Advanced Ops Fuel Demand

Key drivers for 2025 UK hiring:

  • GenAI Enablement – LLM assessment/implementation across banking, retail and the public sector.

  • Sustainable Operations – carbon‑optimised supply chains and green‑hydrogen modelling.

  • Advanced Manufacturing & Pharma – digital twins, predictive maintenance, clinical trial analytics.

McKinsey plans to add 1,000 analytics professionals globally, ~300 in Europe, ~120 in the UK across London and Manchester.

Hot‑Demand Skills for 2025

• Large‑language‑model fine‑tuning & RAG pipelines
• Time‑series forecasting & demand‑sensing
• Reinforcement learning for supply‑chain optimisation
• Causal inference & econometrics (DoWhy, EconML)
• Data‑engineering on Databricks & Snowflake
• MLOps (Kubernetes, MLflow, Tecton)
• Responsible AI & model governance frameworks
• Client‑facing communication & storytelling

Key UK Locations & What Happens There

London (Victoria) – QuantumBlack studio, client delivery squads, AI Research hub.
Manchester Digital Tech Hub – Data‑engineering guild, public‑sector analytics.
Remote UK – Hybrid consultants and Engineers on client projects; travel 30–50 %.


Core Job Families Explained

Below are the analytics job families most in demand at McKinsey, plus ATS‑friendly keywords.

1. Data Scientist / Senior Data Scientist

Keywords: Python, scikit‑learn, PyTorch, XGBoost, Causal ML, Explainability

Own model development, validation and deployment, translating business questions into quant solutions.

2. Machine‑Learning Engineer

Keywords: FastAPI, Docker, Kubernetes, TensorRT, Feature Store

Productionise models, optimise latency, and ensure CI/CD for ML pipelines.

3. Data Engineer

Keywords: Spark, Delta Lake, Airflow, dbt, Terraform, CI/CD

Design data lakes, ETL/ELT workflows and serve features to ML teams with 99.9 % uptime.

4. AI Product Manager

Keywords: Agile, OKRs, GenAI roadmap, MVP scoping

Define vision, prioritise backlogs, align tech solutions with client value.

5. Analytics Translator / AI Consultant

Keywords: Storytelling, Stakeholder Alignment, Change Management

Bridge technical teams and executives, craft business cases, lead capability‑building.

6. Data Visualisation & Design

Keywords: Tableau, Power BI, D3.js, Dash, Narrative Visualisation

Turn model outputs into decision‑ready dashboards and interactive apps.


The McKinsey Hiring Process (UK Focus)

  1. Online Application & CV Screen – highlight quantitative impact.

  2. HR Call – discuss motivations, location, salary expectations.

  3. Technical Assessment – case study + coding task (Python/SQL) or take‑home challenge.

  4. Two Technical Interviews – model deep‑dive, system design or code walkthrough.

  5. Problem‑Solving Interview (PSI) – McKinsey signature case, tailored to analytics.

  6. PEI (Personal Experience Interview) – leadership and impact stories.

  7. Offer & Background Checks – references, right‑to‑work.

Typical timeline: four to six weeks.


Graduate & Internship Routes

McKinsey Analytics Graduate Fellowship – 12‑month programme inc. two client deployments; mentorship by senior data scientists.
QuantumBlack Summer Internship – 10 weeks; interns last year built a demand‑forecasting model for a global retailer.
Data Science Apprenticeship – 3‑year degree apprenticeship with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Applications open September; online assessments in November; interviews January–March.


Experienced Hires & Career Tracks

McKinsey analytics roles use levels: Junior Specialist → Specialist → Senior Specialist → Expert → Senior Expert → Partner (technical). Compensation examples: • Senior Data Scientist – £95k–£115k base + 20 % performance bonus.
• Machine‑Learning Engineering Lead – £110k–£130k base + 25 % bonus + profit‑share.
• Analytics Partner – £180k+ base + significant profit share.

Long‑term incentive points vest over five years.


What Salary & Benefits Can You Expect in 2025?

• Graduate Data Analyst – £50k base + £5k signing bonus.
• Data Engineer (mid‑level) – £75k–£88k base + 15 % bonus.
• AI Product Manager – £90k–£105k base + 20 % bonus.

Benefits: private medical (BUPA), 8 % pension, overtime meal allowance, 30 days’ holiday, sabbatical after 5 years, £2,000 annual learning fund, and global mobility programmes.


Remote, Hybrid & Travel Expectations

Hybrid Model – Two‑days on‑site when not at client; client travel 30–50 %.
Remote‑first Roles – Limited to specialised engineering positions.
Visa Sponsorship – Skilled‑Worker visas for critical tech talent; security projects require UK residency.


Stand‑Out Application Tips

  1. Quantify Impact – “Reduced forecast MAE 12 % saving client £25 m.”

  2. Show Collaboration – multi‑disciplinary examples align with translator culture.

  3. Demonstrate Business Acumen – link model KPIs to revenue or cost.

  4. Prepare for PSI – practice structuring ambiguous analytics problems.


How DataScience‑Jobs.co.uk Can Help

• We index every McKinsey/QuantumBlack analytics vacancy daily and tag skills like “Graph ML”, “GenAI”, “Spark”.
• Our 2025 UK Data‑Science Salary Benchmark compares consulting vs product companies.

Create a Personal Job Alert

  1. Register with your email.

  2. Select Employer → McKinsey & Company and skill tags.

  3. Choose alert frequency and click Save.


FAQ (2025)

  • Does McKinsey hire non‑UK nationals?
    Yes—visa sponsorship available; travel flexibility required.

  • Which languages/tools dominate at QuantumBlack?
    Python, Scala, Spark, PyTorch, MLflow, Databricks.

  • Do I need consulting experience?
    Helpful but not mandatory—technical hires receive consulting skills bootcamp.

  • How long is the hiring loop?
    Four to six weeks for experienced hires; graduates slightly longer.

  • Is GenAI knowledge critical?
    Growing importance; McKinsey offers internal upskilling if fundamentals are solid.


Conclusion: Turn Data into Decisions that Matter

At McKinsey & Company, analytics isn’t a side service—it’s central to solving the world’s toughest problems. From GenAI roadmaps to supply‑chain twins, you can apply deep technical skills and watch them transform industries.

Ready to make impact at scale? Browse the latest McKinsey data‑science jobs on DataScience‑Jobs.co.uk or head to McKinsey’s careers portal (mckinsey.com/careers). Your next model could reshape a global enterprise.

Related Jobs

Data Analytics & Data Science Lead

Michael Page have exclusively partnered with The Government Property Agency (GPA) to support on their continued Data Transformation programmes. The newly created role of Data Analytics & Data Science Lead is pivotal in this strategyClient DetailsGovernment Property AgencyDescriptionIntroduction:Michael Page have exclusively partnered with The Government Property Agency (GPA) to support on their continued Data Transformation programmes. The newly created role...

Birmingham

Sales Executive

Role: Sales Executive - TelecomsLocation: London / Office BasedPackage: £35k to £50k Basic plus Double OTE and BenefitsOur client is at the forefront of fibre connectivity in London, and they are now offering a wider range of internet and managed services to businesses across the capital.They are seeking a mid-market Sales Executive to drive new business and cross-sell and up...

Finsbury Square

Business Analyst

The primary objective of this role is to perform analysis, conduct testing, and manage assigned projects within the overall portfolio.As a member of a dedicated, cross-functional Agile delivery team, there may be instances where you’ll be expected to step in for Product Managers/Owners temporarily, and on occasion, take on responsibilities typically associated with the Product Owner role for an extended...

Bishopsgate

AI Automation Analyst

About the RoleWe're hiring an AI Automation Analyst (Power Platform) to join a digital and data team at the heart of business transformation. This is a hands-on role focused on delivering low-code automation and integrating emerging AI tools to create smarter, more efficient workflows.You'll work closely with operational teams and senior leaders to turn manual or inefficient processes into intuitive,...

Major's Green

Mandarin Speaking AVP Business Intelligence Analyst

To see more Chinese jobs please follow us on WeChat: teamchinapf AND pfteamchinaRef: 22912Job Title - Mandarin speaking Assistant Vice President Business Intelligence AnalystThe Skills You'll Need: Fluent in Mandarin, Experienced in data analysis, BI, or a related area.Your New Salary: Depending on experienceHybrid, the role will require an initial period of full time work in office. After the initial...

London

Dynamics CRM Developer

Dynamics CRM DeveloperLocation: London - Hybrid - 2-4x/month on-site.Salary: up to £65,000Are you an experienced CRM Developer looking for an exciting opportunity to shape digital transformation in a dynamic organisation? We are seeking a talented individual to take the lead in developing and enhancing Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions to improve business processes, enhance user experience, and drive efficiency across our...

London

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Further reading

Dive deeper into expert career advice, actionable job search strategies, and invaluable insights.

Hiring?
Discover world class talent.