M&A Integration Lead

About the job

We are seeking a seasoned M&A Integration Lead to drive the end-to-end value creation of our inorganic growth strategy. This role is not just about "post-close" project management; it requires a strategic partner who engages early in the deal lifecycle (during the diligence phase) to understand investment theses, identify operational risks, build an integration plan, and execute the plan in seamless collaboration with multiple stakeholders—both on the side of Neurealm and the acquired organization. Key Responsibilities 1. Pre-Close Strategy & Diligence • Operational Due Diligence: Partner with the CD Deal Team during diligence to assess the target’s operational maturity, technology stack, and cultural fit. • Risk Assessment: Identify integration risks / issues early—such as incompatible systems/policies and processes, key employee retention, and client contract issues—and build mitigation plans into the deal model and integration plan. 2. Integration Planning & Day 1 Execution • Integration Management Office (IMO): Stand up and lead the IMO, defining governance structures, steering committees, and reporting cadences. • Day 1 Readiness: Orchestrate the "Day 1" experience to ensure a flawless welcome for new employees and zero disruption to customers (e.g., email connectivity, payroll continuity, customer communications). • System & Process Cutover: Lead planning for full system migration (ERP/CRM/HRIS) and process cutovers, ensuring business continuity during 'Day 2' and beyond. • Operating Model Design: Develop the Target Operating Model (TOM) in collaboration with functional heads, defining how the combined entity will look and operate 30, 90, and 180 days post-close. 3. Post-Merger Integration & Value Capture • Cross-Functional Orchestration: Lead weekly workstream sprints across HR, Finance, IT, Sales, Delivery, Legal, etc., to execute integration milestones. • Cultural Integration and Change Management: Act as the “eyes and ears” with the acquired organization; listen and be empathic, assessing cultural differences and implementing change management strategies to retain talent and align values. • System & Process Cutover: Lead long-term planning for full system migration (ERP/CRM/HRIS) and process cutovers, ensuring business continuity during 'Day 2' and beyond. • Regular Reporting and Governance: Track and report on integration milestone, progress / issues and financials against the original deal business plan. • Playbook Development: Continuously refine the company’s “M&A Integration Playbook,” codifying lessons learned to accelerate future acquisitions. • Integration Budget: Own and monitor the integration budget in coordination with Finance and other functional teams. Qualifications & Experience • Experience: 10+ years of total professional experience, with at least 5+ years dedicated to M&A Integration, Corporate Development, or Management Consulting (focused on M&A). • Deal Volume: Proven track record of leading 5+ full-cycle integrations ranging from small to mid-sized, complex integrations. • Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree is strongly preferred. • Certification: PMP or Change Management certification is a plus. Critical Competencies • Operational Breadth and Influence: An detailed, operations oriented mindset with working knowledge of how every function (Sales, Delivery, Finance, IT, HR, etc.) operates in a Digital IT Services company; ability to influence stakeholders with conflicting priorities without necessarily having organizational authority over them. • Strategic and Financial Acumen: Ability to prioritize based on strategic importance; ability to translate/quantify issues into financial, strategic, or risk impacts. • High Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: Ability to navigate the high-stress, emotional landscape of acquisitions, influencing stakeholders who do not report to you. • Superior Program & Change Management: Ability to organize complex teams, projects, and timelines into a smoothly managed plan; ability to drive the plan and teams with outcome-orientation and conviction. • Problem Solving & Outcome-Oriented Mindset: Prioritizing value preservation over rigid adherence to a checklist. Ability to quickly pivot and find workarounds that keep strategic goals intact. Escalates issues sooner rather than later. Indicative Success Metrics • Synergy Achievement: Deal synergies (Cost/Revenue) realized within the promised timeframe vs. plan. • Employee Retention: Retention and satisfaction levels of employees from acquisitions. • Day 1 Stability: Zero critical disruptions to customer service or internal functions on Day 1. • Integration Velocity: Speed of decision-making and milestone completion vs. the integration plan. • Change Management Success: Successful migration of core business systems (IT/Finance/HR) with zero operational 'glitches' and minimal impact on delivery velocity. Minimal "noise" in the system; minimal escalations. Budget Management: Integration costs kept within plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• MBA or advanced degree is strongly preferred
• PMP or Change Management certification is a plus