Key Insights:
- Global Reach, Operations Focus: Kearney operates across 40+ countries with deep expertise in operations, procurement, and supply chain transformation, making it a top choice for candidates who want to solve complex operational problems at scale.
- Structured Career Path: From undergraduate Business Analysts to MBA Associates, Kearney offers clear progression through Manager, Principal, and Partner, with global mobility opportunities along the way.
- Competitive Interview Process: Kearney's two-round interview process emphasizes case interviews with an operational bent, so candidates should prepare heavily in cost optimization, supply chain, and performance improvement frameworks.
Kearney (formerly A.T. Kearney) is a global management consulting firm founded in 1926 and headquartered in Chicago. The firm advises clients across strategy, operations, procurement, transformation, and sustainability initiatives.
Kearney operates as an independent partnership and serves multinational corporations, private equity firms, and public sector organizations across more than 40 countries.
Kearney was recently named a 2026 Top Ranked Consulting Firm by Management Consulted.
Firm Key Stats
| Website | www.kearney.com |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
| Employees | 5,700+ professionals |
| Offices | 60+ offices across 40+ countries |
| Chairman & Managing Partner | Alex Liu |
| Annual Revenue | ~$1.6B (estimated) |
Kearney Careers
Kearney hires undergraduate, MBA, and experienced candidates into structured consulting career paths.
Entry Points
- Business Analyst – Undergraduate entry role
- Senior Business Analyst – Advanced undergraduate or experienced entry
- Associate – MBA and experienced professional entry
Career Progression
Consultants typically progress through the following levels:
- Manager
- Principal
- Partner
Promotion timelines vary based on performance, office, and business needs.
Professional Development
Kearney provides:
- Formal onboarding and skills training
- Project-based learning on live client engagements
- Ongoing feedback and performance reviews
- Global mobility opportunities across offices
Consultants are staffed on client engagements across strategy, operations, procurement, transformation, and sustainability initiatives, with exposure varying by practice area and geography.
Kearney Internship
Internship Program
Kearney offers summer internship programs for both undergraduate and MBA candidates.
Undergraduate Internships
Undergraduates typically join as Summer Business Analysts, working on live client engagements and participating in structured onboarding and skills training.
MBA Internships
MBA candidates join as Summer Associates and are staffed on consulting teams across strategy, operations, and transformation projects.
Program Structure
Internships generally include:
-
- Formal onboarding and methodology training
- Client project work
- Ongoing mentorship and feedback
- Midpoint and final performance evaluations
High-performing interns may receive full-time offer consideration, subject to business needs.
Travel expectations and project assignments vary by office and engagement.
Practice Areas
Kearney provides advisory services across:
- Strategy
- Operations & Supply Chain
- Procurement
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Organization & Transformation
- Digital & Analytics
- Sustainability
The firm is particularly known for its work in operations, procurement, and supply chain transformation.
Industries
Kearney serves clients across the following industries:
- Aerospace and Defense
- Automotive
- Chemicals
- Communications
- Consumer and Retail
- Energy
- Financial Institutions
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Industrial Goods and Services
- Infrastructure
- Media
- Metals & Mining
- Oil & Gas
- Private Equity
- Public Sector
- Technology
- Transportation and Travel
Kearney Locations
Kearney has office locations all over the world. Check their website for the most up to date list of locations. Here are some popular locations:
Americas:
-
- Atlanta
- Bogotá
- Boston
- Calgary
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Detroit
- Mexico City
- Minneapolis
- New York
- San Francisco
- São Paulo
- Toronto
- Washington, D.C.
Asia-Pacific:
-
- Bangkok
- Gurugram
- Hong Kong
- Kuala Lumpur
- Manila
- Melbourne
- Mumbai
- Seoul
- Shanghai
- Singapore
- Sydney
- Tokyo
Europe:
-
- Amsterdam
- Berlin
- Brussels
- Bucharest
- Budapest
- Copenhagen
- Düsseldorf
- Helsinki
- Lisbon
- Ljubljana
- London
- Madrid
- Milan
- Moscow
- Munich
- Oslo
- Paris
- Prague
- Rome
- Stockholm
- Vienna
- Warsaw
- Zurich
Middle East & Africa:
-
- Abu Dhabi
- Beirut
- Doha
- Dubai
- Istanbul
- Johannesburg
- Manama
- Riyadh
As the firm's headquarters, Kearney Chicago is the firm's flagship office and one of the most competitive to land an offer in. Kearney Chicago is located inside the swanky Franklin Center in downtown Chicago.
Kearney Career Path
As an undergraduate or non-MBA graduate, you start out as a Business Analyst or Senior Business Analyst, where you will be developing models, performing complex analyses, and working on research assignments at both the office and client sites.
MBAs join the firm as Associates and are involved in all phases of a consulting engagement, from pre-proposal research through final implementation.
From there you work your way up into the Manager position. Principals and Partners are elected into their position from amongst the Managers.
Kearney Culture
Kearney operates as a global partnership with a collaborative, team-based consulting model. Project teams are typically lean, which allows consultants to take on meaningful responsibility early and gain direct exposure to client stakeholders.
Global Mobility
Kearney offers a Global Mobility Program that enables consultants to gain international experience across offices and regions. Opportunities may include:
- Permanent transfers to another office
- International assignments tied to specific market or project needs
- Exchange programs designed for short-term professional development in another geography
These programs support cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing across the firm’s global network.
Work Environment
Consultants often work across industries, with a strong presence in operations, procurement, and supply chain transformation. Engagement intensity and travel requirements vary by project and geography. As with most consulting roles, client demands and deadlines can result in periods of increased workload.
Project mix may differ by office and practice area. Some teams focus heavily on operational transformation and cost optimization initiatives, while others work on broader strategic mandates.
Overall, Kearney’s culture reflects its positioning as an operations- and transformation-focused global consulting firm, with an emphasis on collaboration, early responsibility, and international exposure.
Exit Opportunities
Kearney alumni pursue a range of leadership and strategy roles across industry, private equity portfolio companies, and the public sector. Common exit paths include:
- Operations and supply chain leadership roles
- Corporate strategy and transformation positions
- Procurement and cost optimization leadership
- Private equity portfolio operations roles
- Graduate programs (MBA or other advanced degrees)
Given Kearney’s strength in operations and performance improvement, many alumni move into executive roles tied to operational excellence, value creation, and enterprise transformation initiatives.
Notable Alumni
- Meri Crowther Dinneen – Senior Director, eCommerce Strategy, Walmart
- Nina Bilimoria Angelo – VP Product Marketing and Strategy, Top Hat
- Sean Cohan – Chief Growth Officer & President, International at Nielsen
- Farrukh Bezar – Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, CSX
- Meghann Wu – Vice President Operations, Paragon One
- Sinead Bovell – Founder at WAYE
- Elvis Wong – Founder and Director, Innovate Financial Health
- Daniel Mahler – Chief Transformation Officer and Head, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
- Shujie Jiang – Chief Executive Officer, Buy42
- Juliana Chu – Vice President of Digital & E-commerce, Shiseido Asia Pacific
- Narayan Murthy – Founder and Managing Director, GoodSeeds
- Matthew Le Merle - Managing partner, Fifth Era and Chairman of the advisory board of Shanshan Group
- Antoine Rostand - President, Schlumberger Business Consulting
- Ulrich Spiesshofer - Chief Executive Officer, ABB
- Robert Nason - Group Executive, Telstra
- Alan D. Feldman - Board of Directors, JBT Corporation; Board of Directors Foot Locker, Inc; Former President & CEO, Midas (automotive service), Inc.
- Mir Aamir - Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Coupons.com
- Erica Bell - Co-Founder, Hukkster
- Steve Bratspies - Executive Vice President, General Merchandise, Walmart U.S.
- Eduardo Tobon - President, Diners Club International
- Ashu Goel - Chief Executive Officer, WinWire Technologies
- Bob Kupbens - Former VP Marketing, Delta Air Lines; VP Apple Inc. Online Store
- Ulrich Grillo - President, BDI
- Dirk Brouwers - Chief Executive Officer, Dussmann-Gruppe
- Uwe Krueger - Chief Executive Officer, WS Atkins PLC
- Hartwig Grewener - Chief Financial Officer, Sonova Holding AG
- Karl Gernandt - Executive Vice Chairman, Kuehne + Nagel International AG
Diversity at Kearney
Kearney has a number of diversity networks for consultants to plug into:
- The Women's Network
- Black@Kearney
- EnAble
- Proud
- South Asian Network
- East Asian Network
- Middle East and North Africa
- Hispanic Origin and Latin America
Learn more about diversity at Kearney here.
Target Schools
Kearney recruits from over 50 undergraduate schools and over 25 MBA schools in the U.S. If you are not at a target school, you can still apply online. See below for a non-exhaustive list of undergraduate and MBA target schools for Kearney.
Undergraduate Target Schools
-
- Northwestern University
- University of Michigan
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of California – Berkeley
- Cornell University
- Columbia University
- Carnegie Mellon
- California Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- University of Chicago
- Stanford
- NYU
- Virginia Tech
- MIT
- Yale University
- Johns Hopkins
- Howard University
- Clark Atlanta University
MBA Target Schools
-
- Booth School of Business
- Columbia Business School
- Darden School of Business
- Haas School of Business
- Harvard Business School
- Kellogg School of Management
- McCombs School of Business
- Ross School of Business
- Tepper School of Business
- Wharton School of Business
- Stern School of Business
Kearney recruits outside the U.S. as well in China, India, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, and Germany.
Kearney History
Kearney traces its origins to 1926, when James McKinsey founded an accounting and advisory firm in Chicago. Andrew Thomas Kearney joined in 1929 as the firm’s first partner. Following organizational changes in 1939, the business separated, and A.T. Kearney & Company continued operating independently from Chicago.
The firm expanded internationally beginning in the 1960s and grew its global footprint across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. After operating as a subsidiary of Electronic Data Systems (EDS) from 1995 to 2006, Kearney returned to independent partnership ownership through a management buyout. In 2020, the firm rebranded from A.T. Kearney to Kearney.
Timeline
- 1926 – McKinsey is founded in Chicago
- 1929 – Andrew Thomas Kearney joins as first partner
- 1939 – Firm separates; A.T. Kearney & Company continues in Chicago
- 1964 – First international office opens in Düsseldorf
- 1995 – Becomes subsidiary of Electronic Data Systems (EDS)
- 2006 – Completes management buyout and returns to independent partnership
- 2018 – Alex Liu appointed Chairman and Managing Partner
- 2020 – Rebrands as Kearney
- 2023 – Launches Regenerate sustainability initiative
Kearney Interviews
Kearney's interview process is rigorous and rewards candidates who combine sharp analytical thinking with clear, structured communication. The firm looks for consultants who can handle operational complexity, so expect cases that go beyond surface-level strategy and push into the numbers. Preparation is not optional here. The candidates who land offers at Kearney are the ones who put in the reps well before they walk into the room. A great place to start your prep is our Case Interview Prep Guide.
Interview Process
Kearney’s interview process typically consists of two rounds, though structure may vary by region and role.
First Round
Candidates usually complete:
- Two case interviews
- Behavioral / fit assessment
Cases emphasize structured problem solving, quantitative analysis, and operational thinking. Topics often reflect Kearney’s strengths in cost optimization, supply chain, and performance improvement.
Final Round
The final round may include:
- Additional case interviews
- Senior leadership interviews
- A structured case presentation (for Associate-level candidates)
Presentation cases typically require candidates to review exhibits, synthesize key findings, and deliver a concise recommendation.
Across all rounds, interviewers assess:
- Analytical rigor
- Structured communication
- Business judgment
- Client readiness
Preparation in market sizing, cost analysis, and operational frameworks is particularly helpful.
Kearney Salaries
Kearney pays competitively for a global consulting firm outside the MBB tier. Compensation can vary by level, office location, and experience. Here is what you can expect at each stage of the career path.
Undergraduate (Business Analyst)
Entry-level Business Analysts at Kearney earn a base salary in the range of $95,000 to $110,000, with performance bonuses on top. Total first-year compensation typically lands between $105,000 and $125,000 for strong performers.
MBA (Associate)
MBA Associates step in at a significantly higher compensation level. Base salaries generally range from $165,000 to $190,000, with signing bonuses and performance bonuses bringing total first-year compensation to $200,000 or more at many offices.
Senior Levels
At the Manager and Principal levels, total compensation climbs considerably and becomes more variable based on performance, tenure, and office. Partners operate on a profit-sharing model, and total earnings at that level can exceed $500,000 annually.
For complete, up-to-date salary figures across every level at Kearney and dozens of other top firms, check out MC's Consulting Salaries Report. It is the most comprehensive compensation database available for consulting candidates, built from real data across MBB, Big 4, and top firms like Kearney.
Conclusion
Kearney is a strong target if you want serious operational and transformation work at a globally respected firm. The lean team structure means you will take on real responsibility early, and the firm's depth in procurement and supply chain sets it apart from broader strategy shops.
That said, the interview process is rigorous. Cases lean operational, and preparation matters more than most candidates expect. If you are serious about landing an offer at Kearney, start your case prep now.
MC's Black Belt program has helped thousands of candidates crack the case at firms just like Kearney. With coaching from former MBB consultants and a structured prep curriculum, it is the most effective way to get ready. Check out our Consulting Salaries Report to see exactly what you can expect to earn once you land the offer.