Advice on MBB and Oliver Wyman Offices in Rome

Question

Hi everyone,

I’m currently considering opportunities with MBB and Oliver Wyman and would really appreciate any insights on their Rome offices. I’m particularly interested in understanding:

The working culture and lifestyle (e.g., work-life balance, travel expectations)
Types of projects and main industries covered
Growth opportunities and internal mobility
Differences (if any) between the firms in terms of team dynamics or prestige in the Italian market

Any first-hand experience or even general impressions would be incredibly helpful. Feel free to drop your thoughts here or DM me if you prefer. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I’ve worked with several colleagues from the Rome offices of McKinsey and can share a few insights based on that experience and industry perspective:

1. Culture & Lifestyle:
Rome offices tend to have a tight-knit and collegial culture, especially compared to larger hubs like Milan. Work-life balance can vary by project, but travel is generally less intense than in other regions, especially for public sector or local clients. That said, hours can still be demanding during peak periods.

2. Project Types:
You’ll find strong exposure to public sector, energy, financial services, and increasingly digital/innovation-focused work. I heard that Oliver Wyman Rome has a notable presence in financial services and risk, while MBB offices tend to be more diversified.

3. Growth & Mobility:
Internal mobility is encouraged, I've seen people transfer to and from Rome across European offices. Career progression follows global standards, but the smaller size means greater visibility to leadership, which can accelerate development.

4. Market Position:
All three MBB firms are well-respected in Italy, with McKinsey and BCG often seen as slightly more prestigious in terms of brand recognition. Oliver Wyman is considered a strong challenger, particularly in FS and analytics-heavy work. Team dynamics across all are highly professional, though OW feels a bit leaner and more entrepreneurial.

Happy to share more if helpful, feel free to DM!

Answer 2

Hi there!

Best thing you can do is to have a human to human coffee chat with the people from those offices. Nothing beats that. And it's not that complicated.

You might find this useful in terms of how to approach these coffee chats:

Expert Guide: How To Handle Networking Calls and Get Referrals

Best,
Cristian

Answer 3

Your quality of life should be your primary consideration. While prestige and salary at MBB firms are certainly attra... (read entire answer)

Your quality of life should be your primary consideration. While prestige and salary at MBB firms are certainly attractive, they aren't worth sacrificing your well-being and sle... (read entire answer)