Director - Performance Improvement - Transactions Advisory Group - Canada

Alvarez & Marsal; Toronto; On-site; CAD 122,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Discretionary bonus program

Job summary

Alvarez & Marsal Canada, with offices in Toronto and Montreal, leads Performance Improvement for corporate and private equity clients across North America. You will drive cost optimization, organizational redesign, and value-creation initiatives on large, cross-functional engagements in a fast-paced environment.

The role offers strong exposure to senior leadership, a merit-based development path, and a comprehensive benefits program.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of professional experience in industry and/or consulting, with a focus on cost optimization, operational restructuring, turnarounds, or operational improvement.
• Deep expertise in at least one functional area (pricing, margin, mix optimization; salesforce effectiveness; marketing efficiency; operations management; supply chain; SG&A cost reduction).
• Experience working with private equity firms or portfolio companies is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Translate complex data into actionable insights that uncover performance gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Identify and quantify cost transformation initiatives by optimizing organizational structures, staffing models, and operational processes.
• Develop and deliver strategic recommendations that align with business objectives and drive sustainable results.
• Contribute to the creation of implementation roadmaps, operating models, and business cases.
• Partner with clients to prioritize initiatives and lead end-to-end implementation of performance improvement programs.
• Conduct site visits, management interviews, and document reviews to validate operational assumptions and evaluate organizational capabilities.
• Perform industry research and benchmarking and gather financial and operational KPIs to inform decisions.
• Leverage experience in margin management, pricing strategy, product rationalization, S&OP, sourcing and global supply chain optimization, and working capital management.
• Manage multiple workstreams and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Provide hands-on leadership and guidance to delivery teams, ensuring high-quality execution and client satisfaction.
• Contribute to business development through proposals and client pitches.
• Support talent development through coaching, staffing input, and mentorship.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, business, finance, or a related field; MBA preferred.

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Description

About Alvarez & Marsal

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a global consulting firm with entrepreneurial, action- and results-oriented professionals. We take a hands-on approach to solving our clients' problems and helping them reach their potential. A&M is different by design: we give people ownership and impact from day one, fuel development through real opportunity, and provide direct access to leaders who invest in our growth. Our culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who positively impact clients and shape our industry. Guided by A&M's core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity, our collaborative, globally minded environment is why our people love working at A&M.

The Team

A&M’s Performance Canada, with offices in Toronto and Montreal, partners with corporate and private equity clients to drive sustainable improvements in operational performance and maximize value from transactions. Our professionals are aligned by service line, enabling deep functional expertise and tailored solutions that address each client’s unique business challenges. Our core service offerings include:

• Performance Improvement
• Operational Due Diligence
• Merger Integration & Carve-outs

Performance Canada is a growing service line with ambitious targets over the next 2–4 years. We offer outstanding opportunities for career progression and leadership development. Our leadership team is committed to supporting your professional journey through structured development programs, comprehensive training, and opportunities for international business exposure.

Join the Performance Improvement team at A&M Performance Canada and develop a broad, high-impact set of operational skills. You'll gain early exposure to high-profile clients and work alongside leading professionals in the field. From strategic design to hands‑on implementation, you'll contribute to large, complex engagements primarily across North America, with opportunities to support global projects.

A&M’s Performance Improvement services take a holistic, cross‑functional approach that rapidly identifies high‑impact opportunities, improving financial performance and enhancing processes across all functions. Our work includes top‑line growth strategy, operational streamlining, organizational optimization, and cost reduction, all supported by advanced technology, digital solutions, and artificial intelligence tools.

As you help corporate clients and private equity portfolio companies navigate transformation and achieve superior performance, you will gain valuable insight into how businesses evolve and succeed. You will also broaden your experience across industries and enjoy extensive opportunities to grow your career as part of a dynamic and fast‑paced team.

How you will contribute

• Translate complex data into actionable insights that uncover performance gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Identify and quantify cost transformation initiatives by optimizing organizational structures, staffing models, and operational processes.
• Develop and deliver strategic recommendations that align with business objectives and drive sustainable results.
• Contribute to the creation of implementation roadmaps, operating models, and business cases.
• Partner with clients to prioritize initiatives and lead end-to-end implementation of performance improvement programs.
• Conduct site visits, management interviews, and document reviews to validate operational assumptions and evaluate organizational capabilities.
• Perform industry research and benchmarking and gather financial and operational KPIs to incorporate external insights and challenge internal performance assumptions.
• Leverage deep experience in areas such as margin management, pricing strategy, product rationalization, sales and operations planning, sourcing and global supply chain optimization, organizational effectiveness, non-labor cost efficiency, process improvement, SG&A cost reduction, and working capital management.
• Manage multiple workstreams and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Provide hands‑on leadership and guidance to delivery teams, ensuring high-quality execution and client satisfaction.
• Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal development and client pitches.
• Support talent development through coaching, staffing input, and mentorship.
• Participate in recruitment and retention initiatives.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of professional experience in industry and/or consulting, with a strong focus on cost optimization, operational restructuring, turnarounds, or operational improvement.
• Deep expertise in at least one functional area, such as:
  • Pricing, margin, and mix optimization
  • Salesforce effectiveness
  • Marketing efficiency
  • Operations management and productivity
  • Supply chain and procurement
  • SG&A cost reduction
  • Organization optimization
  • Finance and Accounting Operations
  • Leadership engagement and stakeholder alignment
• Industry depth in sectors such as manufacturing, business services, consumer products, retail, quick-service restaurants, talent services, or environmental services is a strong plus.
• Experience working with private equity firms or portfolio companies is highly valued.
• Background in both professional services and corporate roles is a plus.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, business, finance, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• High proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; strong analytical and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in fast-paced environments.
• Flexibility to travel at least 50% of time, primarily across Canada and the U.S., with potential for global assignments.

Your journey at A&M

At A&M, professional growth is tied directly to performance, not tenure. Our people take on meaningful, hands‑on work supported by a performance development process that rewards contribution and fosters a culture of meritocracy. Stretch roles, evolving business needs, and firm growth create ongoing opportunities for ownership and building new skills, while direct access to senior leaders provides mentorship and real-time coaching along the way. We also prioritize your wellbeing through comprehensive benefits and resources. Together, these elements create an environment where high-performing professionals can continue to grow and advance from day one.

A&M is committed to providing an accessible recruitment process that meets our obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and any other applicable legislation. We strive to maintain a strong and dynamic workforce that fosters respect and inclusivity for applicants of all abilities. Should you have any accessibility need(s) and/or require accommodation during the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources at [e-mail] and we would be pleased to assist you.

Thesalaryrange is around $135,000 CADannually, dependent on several variables including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. In addition, A&M offers a discretionary bonus program which is based on a number of factors, including individual and firm performance. Please ask your recruiter for details.