Senior Manager, Mergers & Acquisitions (merger & carve-out services)

West Monroe Partners • Chicago, IL

66d

About The Position

Our Mergers and Acquisitions Practice (M&A) is seeking a Senior Manager to join our rapidly growing Merger & Carveout Services (MCS) team. This leadership role will advise Private Equity and Corporate clients across all industries specific to mergers and divestiture / carve-out transactions with both an IT and cross-functional lens. Areas of focus for IT would include domain knowledge in business applications, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT organization. Cross-functional areas of focus include HR, Finance & Accounting, Sales & Marketing, and Operations. In this dynamic role, you will lead engagements through complex M&A transactions, from initial strategy and due diligence to integration/separation and post-deal activities including buy-side and sell-side engagements, mergers, integrations, and divestitures. This role demands executive presence, strong business acumen, financial acumen, technical domain knowledge, and the ability to align client investment objectives with actionable recommendations.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience managing complex operational and/or IT projects, with significant exposure to M&A transactions.
• Proven ability to deliver high-impact insights and recommendations to C-level executives.
• Experience in specific industries (e.g., Software, Healthcare, Consumer & Industrial Products, Insurance) preferred but not mandatory.
• Strong expertise in financial modeling, project management methodologies, and business strategy.
• Experience in C&IP, HLS, software mergers/integrations and/or carve-outs is highly desirable.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced certifications (e.g., LeanIX Practitioner) are a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of managing executive-level relationships.
• Ability to travel up to 50% for client engagements.
• Authorization to work permanently in the United States without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• A commitment to inclusion, diversity, and openness to new perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-complexity engagements across the transaction lifecycle, including due diligence, pre-close planning, and post-close integration and carve-out execution.
• Provide strategic advisory to C-level stakeholders by delivering concise, executive-ready insights.
• Ensure project milestones are met through rigorous project management and quality assurance.
• Guide the development of templates, frameworks, and deliverables, ensuring a high standard of quality and relevance.
• Lead Technology workstream planning / execution projects or overall program management office (e.g., IMO, SMO) overseeing all functions.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks, engage stakeholders, and ensure program success.
• Drive program economics, including budgeting, invoicing, and collection processes.
• Manage multiple teams including internal M&A and functional teams, internal and external workstreams, external buyer/seller teams, and external 3rd parties.
• Facilitate complex steering committees and cross-functional team meetings in conjunction with Partners.
• Oversee the spin-up of project infrastructure, including Teams Sites, SOWs, Data Request Lists, and data room reviews.
• Develop and refine methodologies for M&A services, including due diligence, planning, and carve-outs.
• Serve as a Career Advisor, Mentor, and coach to consultants, fostering a culture of growth and excellence.
• Play an active role in recruiting top-tier talent and contributing to the onboarding process.
• Drive business development efforts by identifying opportunities, developing SOWs and pricing models, and drafting and presenting proposals tailored to client needs.
• Build and nurture relationships with private equity and corporate clients, identifying, selling, and delivering upsell and cross-sell opportunities.
• Represent the firm at M&A industry events and build a robust professional network.
• Collaborate across practices to scope, propose, and deliver comprehensive solutions aligned with client objectives.
• Lead complex diligence activities, including TSA scoping, negotiations, and pricing, one-time and run-rate financial modeling, and standalone, cost synergies stranded cost analysis.
• Provide oversight across multiple workstreams, ensuring alignment with client investment theses.
• Maintain deep expertise in IT systems, financial processes, and operational domains, recognizing and delivering on 'what good looks like.'
• Guide teams in leveraging tools like CapIQ, PitchBook, SaaS based PM tools Smartsheet, PowerBI, SaaS based Enterprise Architecture Tools.
• Ensure accurate financial assessments, from P&L evaluations to growth strategy alignment.
• Deliver impactful, concise insights to stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration.
• Cultivate an internal and external network to drive engagement and practice growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree