New

Category Specialist - Event Services

McKinsey & Company
parental leave, paid time off

May 19, 2026
Procurement Category Specialist - Event Services Job ID: 108480 London New York City Poznan Prague Apply Now Apply Later 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. YOUR IMPACT You will play a key role in building and scaling a newly established global events category at McKinsey. You will help shape a category from the ground up-moving from a historically disaggregated, decentralized model toward a more transparent, strategic, and value driven approach aligned with McKinsey's Third-Party Management Framework. You will work closely with the senior category manager for Event Services to develop and implement a fact-based global category strategy, while supporting practical execution across regions. Your role sits at the intersection of strategy, analytics, stakeholder engagement, and implementing our third-party management framework in the event services category globally. As part of the Optimize Events team, you will contribute to McKinsey's broader ambition to deliver purposeful, responsible, and high-quality event experiences-balancing cost, quality, risk, and experience for both the firm and attendees. You will play a key part in establishing and evolving McKinsey's Event Services category, working closely with the senior category manager to translate strategy into actionable outcomes. Your work will encompass both foundational category development and ongoing execution, with a focus on driving transparency, alignment, and value across the firm. You will advance category insights and transparency by supporting efforts to improve visibility into event-related spend and supplier usage. This will help the firm better understand patterns, priorities, and opportunity areas across regions. You will contribute to the development and refinement of the global Event Services category strategy, including defining scope, success measures, and priority focus areas, all informed by fact-based analysis. You will collaborate across the organization by partnering with regional teams, cross-functional groups, and suppliers to ensure alignment with global priorities while balancing local needs. You will also communicate the rationale behind category initiatives clearly and effectively. Additionally, you will support supplier and sourcing initiatives by contributing to targeted sourcing in repeatable, high-volume areas. You will assist with supplier segmentation and preferred supplier models, including the development of rate structures, foundational commercial frameworks, and early performance and value insights. You will make a meaningful impact by shaping the Event Services category and driving value for the firm. YOUR GROWTH You are someone who thrives in a high-performance environment, bringing a growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle meaningful challenges that have a real impact. In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to help you quickly broaden your expertise, grow into a well-rounded professional, and contribute to work that truly makes a difference. 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. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Exceptional 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 University degree in business, operations, analytics, or a related field 5+ years of relevant experience, with 2+ years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing and contracting for events globally. Experience in event operations would be a plus Experience working in complex, stakeholder rich environments (professional services a plus) Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with comfort working with imperfect or evolving data Ability to structure ambiguous problems and translate insights into practical recommendations Experience with Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with event technology tools (e.g., Cvent) is a plus Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and priorities independently Collaborative mindset and comfort working across functions and geographies Pragmatic, action-oriented approach with attention to detail Limited travel, as required Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues. 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. Industries Capabilities Firm Administration Apply Now Apply Later 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. For new joiners for this role in the United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, a reasonable estimated range is $141,500 - $176,800 USD -to help you understand what you can expect. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest [salary/hourly wages] for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's 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. Share This Job