Associate Director - Finance Transformation, M&A ; PE

Associate Director - Finance Transformation, M&A Support (PE/Growth)

Join Cross Country Consulting as an Associate Director to lead M&A integration projects for middle market private equity clients. You will work closely with our Private Equity practice to deliver tailored transformation solutions that drive value creation.

• Lead M&A integration projects from planning through execution, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives
• Set up the Integration Management Office (IMO), define its governance structure, roles, and responsibilities, and ensure it operates effectively to manage all aspects of the integration process
• Develop and implement integration strategies, including transformation initiatives and risk mitigation
• Create detailed integration plans that outline key milestones, timelines, dependencies, and resource requirements, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives
• Identify and implement synergy opportunities across operations, finance, technology, and roles to maximize value creation from transactions
• Identify, document, and track the progress of Transition Service Agreements, ensuring a streamlined transaction process and TSA exit
• Engage with key stakeholders, including private equity firms, portfolio companies, and internal teams, to ensure alignment and collaboration throughout the integration process for a smooth integration of operations, systems, and culture
• Lead change management initiatives to ensure successful adoption of new processes, systems, and cultures within the integrated organization
• Manage the IMO cross-functionally, monitor and report on integration progress, identifying and addressing issues proactively
• Continuously assess and refine integration processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness, leveraging best practices and lessons learned from previous integrations
• Assist portfolio companies with executing scalable “buy-and-build” strategies by developing and implementing repeatable integration playbooks
• Provide thought leadership and best practices in M&A integration within the middle market private equity space
• Lead client engagements, facilitate workshops, and build roadmaps of prioritized strategic initiatives to accelerate time to value
• Execute engagements utilizing agile principles – scrums, sprints, kanban, etc.
• Leverage expertise in leading business processes (e.g., Procure-to-Pay, Opportunity-to-Cash, Record-to-Report including Financial Planning/Analysis and Close, Recruit-to-Hire-to-Retire and Master Data Management) and cross-functional dependencies to implement best practices and provide value-added insights
• Utilize knowledge of finance tools, automation, data analytics, and cutting-edge solutions to meet client needs
• Support Business Transformation projects, including system strategy, process improvement, operational performance enhancement, change management, program management, data analytics, stakeholder management, and business analysis
• Effectively transition solutions back to private equity portfolio companies
• Contribute to developing and implementing firm‑approved, AI‑enabled solutions for clients, in accordance with company policies on data protection, intellectual property, and professional standards
• Stay informed about emerging AI tools and techniques and collaborate with firm leadership to identify compliant opportunities to enhance client solutions and internal processes
• Develop and maintain relationships with portfolio company representatives and Private Equity sponsors, collaborating with Cross Country team members to scope, clarify, and deliver excellent client service
• Seek opportunities to integrate additional solutions and service lines into clients to deliver full‑scale transformation services aligned with client needs
• Play an active role in talent acquisition, including interviewing, hiring, and retaining top‑tier professionals who embody our core values
• Serve as a coach and mentor to team members, fostering their professional growth and development
• Actively participate in business development opportunities and market a full range of services to prospective clients, including using existing relationships to generate new…