M&A Integration Project Manager/Sr. Manager

What You'll Do

Are you a seasoned Project Manager with experience creating and evolving M&A integration strategies and guiding key stakeholders along the way?  Do you have a proven track record of creating an exceptional integration experience for newly acquired team members?  Cohen & Co recently received a growth investment from Lovell Minnick Partners (a leading middle market private equity firm), and we have an opportunity for you to drive the success of integrating Cohen & Co’s strategic acquisitions.  The M&A Integration Project Manager/Sr. Manager will report to the Firm’s Director, Corporate Development and work closely with members of the Firm’s leadership team, as well as other key team members throughout the acquisition and integration process. 

• Lead and provide support for M&A integration efforts including integration strategy development, planning, execution and performance management, etc.
• Partner with project sponsors and stakeholders to build bespoke integration plans that clearly establish integration objectives and performance standards, develop value capture and operational integration plans, support execution management, and accelerate the career path of leadership joining Cohen & Co from the target company
• Develop and implement integration strategies, timelines, and plans to ensure a successful and seamless transition of acquired companies into the organization
• Strategically build out and lead dedicated cross-functional integration teams (Finance, HR, IT, Legal, Marketing, etc.) to ensure seamless integration including system integration, employee transition, and cultural assimilation while minimizing disruption
• Manage integration progress including timeline & milestone tracking, issue & risk tracking, meeting coordination, and holding stakeholders at various levels accountable for completion of assigned tasks
• Build cultural assessment process to help Cohen & Co identify alignment with potential acquisition targets
• Participate in due diligence processes to identify potential integration risks and opportunities, including operating synergies and integration costs
• Oversee the identification of integration cost, approval and tracking process
• Track and manage transaction synergies across the business
• Provide regular updates and timely status reports to leadership on integration status, risks, and opportunities, ensuring data accuracy and timely input from workstreams
• Monitor and ensure delivery of the key strategic, operational, and financial objectives of acquisitions, including earnouts and performance incentives through the M&A scorecard process
• Continually incorporate lessons learned and contribute to the continual improvement of tools and artifacts supporting the integration process, including playbooks, tools (such as M&A Accelerator), and documentation
• Promote culture of integration and collaboration
• Other project management tasks across the Firm as necessary

Who You Are

• Minimum of 5-10 years prior experience in Project Management with at least 5 years prior experience in M&A Integration
• Demonstrated success managing multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in the Accounting and/or Professional Services Industries a strong preference
• Previous experience working with private equity firms a plus
• Strong organizational, facilitation, and negotiation skills will be required to drive results
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to make formal presentations to leadership
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and lead internal resources to work together to resolve complex project problems
• Ability to independently shepherd complex interactions and situations
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed decisions
• Sense of urgency to deliver both short-term and long-term results
• Ability to set clear expectations and hold cross functional teams accountable to all deliverables
• Ability to handle ambiguous and volatile project requirements
• Ability to lead teams through influence and collaboration in a matrix organization
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage through ambiguity and complexity, and support multiple, simultaneous projects, multiple stakeholders and articulate dependencies and interrelationships
• Proficiency with various project management styles and software
• Management of projects with significant technology aspects a strong plus
• Positive attitude and willingness to be a team player

Location:

• Akron or Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL
• Hybrid work