Deal Services Consulting Principal - Deal Advisory M&A Integration and Separation Advisory (Los Angeles)

RSM•Los Angeles, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

RSM US, LLP is seeking a Principal for its Deal Services team within the Deal Advisory M&A Integration and Separation Advisory practice. The role leads client integration and separation efforts from planning through execution, coordinating professionals and services across RSM practices. It includes relationship management, supervision of multiple engagements, onsite client projects, business development, and development of the practice’s services and capabilities across the transaction lifecycle. The position offers a growth path to further leadership opportunities within the practice and firm. The Principal will help grow and mature a high-performing team, evolve M&A methodologies and thought leadership, build client and business networks, and develop engagement leaders. The role advises private equity and corporate buyers and sellers on deal thesis validation, pre-close and post-close planning, Day 1 operations, transition service agreements, stranded costs, synergies, value capture, and operational needs. The Principal also supports sales and profitable engagement delivery and works with practice leadership on firm and practice strategy.

Requirements

10–12+ years of M&A experience, or experience focused on mergers, acquisitions, or separations in a professional services firm, providing technical advice across business functions and executing complex transaction engagements.
Broad expertise and working knowledge of middle-market businesses, including private equity, privately held, or publicly traded companies; experience working with corporate development officers is a plus.
Experience across a range of industries; must be conversant in a range of business operating models.
Strong understanding of complex program management and leadership.
Ability to travel 3–4 days per week for 40–45 weeks of the year.
Ability to build diverse, high-performing teams with varied experiences and backgrounds.
Demonstrable skills in process and operating-model development to support current and future-state business operations.
Strong financial capability to manage engagement financial outcomes.
Strong communication, presentation, project management, and business skills.
Strong writing, research, and analytical skills.
Strong self-motivation and ability to work in a dynamic, time-sensitive environment with varying deliverables and changing requirements.
Strong technical facilitation, analytical, and report-writing skills.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Ability to lead by example, drive results hands-on, command the respect of teams and clients, and maintain focus on engagement outcomes.
High levels of professional and personal integrity and ethics; ability to support RSM’s brand promise, shared values, and firm strategy.

Nice To Haves

Experience with private equity and industry alignment to private equity.
Preferred experience in TMT, Life Sciences, or demonstrated depth in another industry such as financial services or healthcare.
MBA or master’s degree in business or a technical field.
Proven ability to hire, develop, grow, and lead professional teams and participate alongside the team.
Self-starter in consulting and advising; action-oriented and able to inspire people at every career level.
Exceptional executive presence and professionalism.

Responsibilities

Support the growth and maturation of the practice and develop a high-performing team of professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Evolve methodologies, tools, approaches, points of view, and thought leadership in support of the full-service M&A offering.
Develop business through internal and external channels, sell services across firm offerings, and build trust with diverse clients.
Develop a network of business connections inside and outside the firm to support practice and firm strategic objectives.
Develop and lead director- and manager-level engagement leaders on integration and separation engagements, creating valuable client outcomes through management consulting approaches and design tools.
Serve as a trusted advisor to internal and external clients and provide direction in support of broader business objectives.
Lead client workshops for private equity and strategic corporate buyers to validate deal thesis, investment objectives, and hold-time objectives.
Sell and structure engagements for pre-close planning, post-close planning, and Day 1 operational support; determine approach and staffing and engage subject-matter professionals for buy-side and sell-side transactions.
Provide management advice across business functional areas based on engagement scope, industry, and transaction complexity.
Use data, insights, and thought leadership to improve delivery and develop next-generation thinkers.
Direct pre-close transition service agreement (TSA) evaluation to identify the deal perimeter and anticipated execution gaps.
Identify TSA or reverse TSA requirements, evaluate pricing, structure services, and plan to address operational gaps with new services, systems, people, processes, or contracts.
Identify stranded costs on the sell side and manage the client’s exit process to preserve and enhance value.
Support pre-close synergy assessment and post-close synergy management and realization, including value engineering, cost management, and growth opportunities.
Work with complex delivery lead directors and teams to support the sales cycle and manage engagements profitably and professionally.
Work with ISA and Deal Services leadership to develop and deliver annual firm- and practice-level strategy.
Hire, develop, grow, and lead professional teams and inspire people throughout their careers.
Travel 3–4 days per week for 40–45 weeks of the year.