Company Profile

Company Description:

McKinsey & Company established the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) in 1990 as its independent business and economics research arm. Its mission is twofold: to achieve breakthrough understanding of the most important global economic issues, using a “micro-to-macro” analytical approach, and to generate insights that shape decisions by corporate leaders and policy makers. MGI publishes major reports on six research themes: productivity and growth; the evolution of global financial markets; the economic impact of technology and innovation; urbanization; the future of work; and natural resources. 

MGI is seeking a publishing director who will focus on building and deriving impact from an improved institutional capability across MGI’s digital, innovation, and client communications agenda. Candidates will also be a very credible “editor in chief” with deep experience in and knowledge of: business and economics topics and concepts; content creation and production; editorial operations; people leadership.
 
If you fit this profile, we invite you to apply for the Editorial Director position and be part of McKinsey Global Institute. 

Who You'll Work With: 
You will work closely with MGI directors and partners (many of whom are economists), as well as client-serving McKinsey consultants who serve as rotational researchers within the unit. You will lead a seasoned global team (of ~10) comprising highly skilled executive and senior editors, digital and data visualization editors, senior graphic designers, and an editorial operations manager. And you will establish a network of internal leaders within the Firm’s publishing and communications communities with whom you will collaborate on MGI key initiatives.

What You'll Do: 
Much of your role will involve driving MGI’s key strategic priorities. These include (but are not limited to):

• Improving the quality and authority of our research and how it is communicated
• Evolving from a focus on big flagship reports toward simpler, sharper, more serialized content
• Adopting a “digital first” publishing model, where we make innovative use of our digital channels as more than just “distribution” for our pdf reports
• Advancing our iconic vertical format into a screen-friendly format that is distinctively MGI (and longer term, keep innovating our formats)
• Driving a “visual revolution” where our research manifests in inspiring iconography and graphics (building on our usual data-rich style)
• Improving the efficiency and discipline around taking our reports from ideas to published content, while maintaining the strong level of collaboration between editors and researchers
• Developing a positive, engaged global multidisciplinary team committed to building and furthering the mission of MGI

As a strategic leader and thought partner with exceptional writing skills and a keen visual sense, we will rely on you to help lead us into the future!

Responsibilities Include: 

• Help drive an overall publishing pipeline curated for thematic consistency and to be collectively powerful and relevant
• Build and cultivate the capabilities and processes needed for a digital-first publishing model, developing versatility across different digital formats beyond long form (e.g., video), and ensuring our MGI web page is a powerful and effective shopfront
• Drive design guidelines and style guides to create a strong, ownable visual identity that increases our distinctiveness and impact
• Establish and maintain relationships with McKinsey Publishing, McKinsey Quarterly, Firm Communications and other key internal and external stakeholders to help maintain and bolster MGI’s reputation
• Continue to build our visualization capabilities, including dynamic and interactive graphics, creating a visual-first model to communicate our key insights, drawing on the capabilities of the Firm more broadly (e.g. video assets)
• Build and maintain stronger common processes (such as stage gates) to create a streamlined “MGI way” of production, including introducing modern tools and methods, in collaboration with production manager.
• Oversee and build a global ‘one-team’ ethos, where challenges, opportunities and successes are owned by the whole team across time zones
• Integrate new talent and skills beyond deep editorial talent; be an integral member of MGI’s operating committee; and serve as thought-partner to our senior leaders.

Qualifications:

• Broad knowledge of current events and trends in economics, business, policy, and technology; familiarity with the media landscape;
• Global content experience and outlook
• Excellent and versatile writing and editing experience (15-20 years) focused on business and/or economics in a high-quality journalism, research, corporate, or think-tank environment.
• A proven track record in digital publishing, audience development and multimedia content creation and dissemination.
• Ability to distill complex concepts and quantitative data into easily understood written narratives.
• Ability to focus on the big picture while simultaneously being meticulous with small details.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and solve problems creatively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; flexible team player; approachable, enthusiastic “can do” attitude
• Proactive self-starter and creative problem solver
• Ability to lead and influence with power of ideas and creativity and not from positional authority.
• Proven ability to lead and develop an editorial and digital publishing team.
• Familiarity with PowerPoint and Excel
• Willingness to travel on occasion
• Bachelor’s degree or higher