Director, Private Equity Performance Improvement

Alvarez & Marsal; Zürich; On-site; CHF 350,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a global consulting firm delivering hands‑on performance improvement across Europe. Our Private Equity Performance Improvement (PEPI) practice partners with leading investors and portfolio companies to drive EBITDA growth, cash flow, and value creation through practical, executable plans.

We are seeking a senior professional who can lead complex PEPI engagements, collaborate with deal teams and boards, and coach cross‑functional teams while developing market

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in consulting, private equity, transaction advisory or performance improvement roles.
• Proven track record leading transformation, value creation or PE-related engagements.
• Strong understanding of the PE lifecycle, including diligence, deal execution, value creation and exit readiness.
• Strong financial acumen, connecting operational initiatives to EBITDA, cash flow, working capital and balance sheet impact.
• Master’s degree and fluency in German and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex PEPI engagements across Europe, including rapid diagnostics, value creation planning, 100‑day planning, operational and commercial due diligence, transformation, post‑merger integration and carve‑out delivery.
• Work directly with private equity deal teams, operating partners, boards and portfolio company management teams to identify, quantify and deliver value creation opportunities.
• Translate diligence findings and performance diagnostics into executable transformation plans with clear priorities, owners, milestones, KPIs and benefits tracking.
• Mobilise and manage multi‑disciplinary A&M teams across PEPI Europe and other practices, ensuring high‑quality delivery under demanding timelines.
• Lead, coach and develop junior A&M colleagues, creating a collaborative, high‑performance team environment.
• Contribute strongly to business development, including client relationship management, pitch development, proposal writing and conversion of diagnostic phases into implementation work.
• Work closely with A&M’s European Managing Director group to develop PEPI propositions, go‑to‑market materials, thought leadership and sector or functional growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Problem solving

Business development

Multilingual - German & English

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Description

About 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 Private Equity Performance Improvement (PEPI) practice works with leading private equity investors and their portfolio companies across Europe. We support clients across the full investment lifecycle: pre‑deal diligence, sign‑to‑close, 100‑day planning, value creation, transformation, post‑merger integration, carve‑outs and exit readiness.

Our work is practical, fact‑based and implementation‑oriented. We help clients identify and quantify performance improvement opportunities, translate them into clear execution plans and deliver measurable improvements in EBITDA, cash flow, working capital and enterprise value.

How you will contribute

• Lead complex PEPI engagements across Europe, including rapid diagnostics, value creation planning, 100‑day planning, operational and commercial due diligence, transformation, post‑merger integration and carve‑out delivery
• Work directly with private equity deal teams, operating partners, boards and portfolio company management teams to identify, quantify and deliver value creation opportunities
• Translate diligence findings and performance diagnostics into executable transformation plans with clear priorities, owners, milestones, KPIs and benefits tracking
• Mobilise and manage multi‑disciplinary A&M teams across PEPI Europe and other practices, ensuring high‑quality delivery under demanding timelines
• Lead, coach and develop junior A&M colleagues, creating a collaborative, high‑performance team environment
• Contribute strongly to business development, including client relationship management, pitch development, proposal writing and conversion of diagnostic phases into implementation work
• Work closely with A&M’s European Managing Director group to develop PEPI propositions, go‑to‑market materials, thought leadership and sector or functional growth initiatives

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in consulting, private equity, transaction advisory, corporate transformation or senior operational performance improvement roles
• Proven track record of leading transformation, value creation or transaction‑related engagements in private equity contexts
• Strong understanding of the private equity lifecycle, including diligence, deal execution, portfolio value creation, exit readiness and the expectations of PE sponsors and operating partners
• Strong financial acumen, including ability to connect operational initiatives to EBITDA, cash flow, working capital, P&L and balance sheet impact
• Deep expertise in at least two of the following areas: operational due diligence, commercial due diligence, performance improvement, carve‑outs, post‑merger integration, operations, supply chain, procurement, commercial excellence, finance transformation, working capital or cash improvement
• Strong business development skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and develop opportunities with private equity sponsors and portfolio company leadership teams
• Objective, fact‑based and pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Hands‑on, non‑hierarchical leadership style with the credibility to operate from boardroom to shop floor
• Master’s degree from a leading university or equivalent strong academic background
• Fluency in German and English is essential; additional European languages are a plus

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.