Category Specialist - Event Services

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.