2027 Mergers & Acquisitions Consulting Intern [CHICAGO]

West Monroe; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

West Monroe is seeking Consulting Interns for its Mergers & Acquisitions Practice in the Chicago area. You will learn operational and technology assessments during due diligence, plan carve-outs or integration projects, and contribute to post-close value creation efforts.

You’ll gain exposure to multiple industries including Consumer & Industrial Products, High Tech & Software, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Insurance & Financial Services, and more, while applying AI to improve outcomes and deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in progress with expected graduation Dec 2027–Aug 2028.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
• Reside within 50 miles of assigned office; hybrid work model.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%; travel expenses covered.
• Experience integrating AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) into day-to-day workflows; strong critical thinking.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., industry, technical) specializing in mergers and acquisitions, and demonstrate executive presence with C-level client counterparts
• Support due diligence site visits to identify operational and technology strategies, organizational structures, and current state business processes and technology support
• Assess operational and technology investment strategies, comparing operating models and organizational structures against leading practices
• Prepare focused request lists and agendas and support diligence sessions and deliverable creation
• Work with engagement leadership to deliver post-close projects to implement operational processes and technologies that enhance value creation and process efficiency across functions
• Support the development and enhancement of West Monroe’s M&A methodologies (diligence, carve-out and integration planning, sell-side advisory, value creation, etc.) and client delivery approaches
• Apply emerging technologies including AI and advanced analytics to improve efficiency, identify insights, and drive value in client engagements
• Support the creation of work plans and statements of work for prospective clients and projects
• Apply AI technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation tools, data models) to enhance insights, improve delivery efficiency, and elevate the quality of client outcomes

Skills

Analytical thinking

Written & verbal communication

Team collaboration

Organization & prioritization

Leadership

Curiosity about AI

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in progress

Tools

ChatGPT

Job description

Launch your consulting journey with West Monroe

West Monroe is seeking Consulting Interns to join our Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Practice. In this dynamic role, you will work within our Mergers & Acquisitions group, serving both corporate and private equity clients.

As a Mergers & Acquisitions Consulting Intern, you will have the opportunity to learn about conducting operational and technology assessments during the due diligence phase, planning carve-out or merger integration transactions, delivering post-close execution management (e.g., SMO, IMO) and value creation projects, and advising on sell-side transactions.

Mergers & Acquisitions Consulting Interns have the unique opportunity to gain experience in M&A disciplines across multiple industries.

• Consumer & Industrial Products: Supports M&A transactions across consumer goods, industrial products, distribution, and services. Team members evaluate technology and operations, identify value‑creation opportunities, and help clients execute post-close improvements across areas such as manufacturing, supply chain, enterprise systems, data, and AI.

• High Tech & Software: Advises investors and software companies on product, technology, and operational considerations throughout the deal lifecycle. Team members assess areas such as product strategy, software architecture, data and AI, cybersecurity, and R&D effectiveness, then help clients pursue growth, efficiency, and exit-readiness opportunities.

• Healthcare & Life Sciences: Supports transactions across healthcare providers, payers, life sciences, and healthcare-enabled services. Team members combine industry knowledge with technology and operational expertise to conduct diligence, develop strategic roadmaps, and support post-close value creation and execution.

• Insurance & Financial Services: Supports M&A transactions across insurance carriers, brokers, managing general agents, banking, payments, fintech, and wealth and asset management. Team members combine industry knowledge with technology, data, and operational expertise to conduct diligence, identify value‑creation opportunities, and support post-close strategy and execution.

• Merger and Carveout Services: Helps clients plan and execute complex mergers, integrations, carveouts, and business separations. Team members support diligence, financial and operational modeling, transition service agreements, Day 1 readiness, and cross-functional program management to minimize disruption and capture deal value.

• Sell‑Side Advisory: Helps companies prepare for and navigate the sale process by evaluating their product, technology, operations, data, and AI capabilities. Team members identify and address potential risks, develop a compelling value narrative, prepare diligence materials, and coach management for buyer interactions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., industry, technical) specializing in mergers and acquisitions, and demonstrate executive presence with C-level client counterparts

• Support due diligence site visits to identify operational and technology strategies, organizational structures, and current state business processes and technology support

• Assess operational and technology investment strategies, comparing respective operating models and organizational structures against leading practices and industry benchmarks

• Prepare focused request lists and agendas and support diligence sessions and deliverable creation

• Work with engagement leadership to deliver post-close projects to implement operational processes and technologies that enhance value creation and process efficiency across functions

• Support the development and enhancement of West Monroe’s M&A methodologies (diligence, carve‑out and integration planning, sell‑side advisory, value creation, etc.) and client delivery approaches

• Apply emerging technologies including AI and advanced analytics to improve efficiency, identify insights, and drive value in client engagements

• Support the creation of work plans and statements of work for prospective clients and projects

• Apply AI technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation tools, data models) to enhance insights, improve delivery efficiency, and elevate the quality of client outcomes

What You’ll Bring to the Team

• Sharp analytical thinking and an interest in solving complex problems

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for working as part of a team

• Ability to stay organized and manage priorities in a dynamic environment

• Demonstrated leadership through academics, extracurricular activities, or prior work experience

• Curiosity about emerging technologies, including AI, and a passion for continuous learning and innovation

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in progress, with an expected graduation date between December 2027 and August 2028

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

• Legally authorized to work in the United States without limitation or sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., OPT, H-1B visa, TN, etc.)

• Reside within 50 miles of your assigned office prior to your start date; our culture emphasizes team collaboration within a hybrid work model

• Ability and willingness to travel (up to 50%); travel expenses covered by West Monroe

• Experience integrating AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) into day-to-day workflows to enhance productivity and insight generation, coupled with strong critical thinking to assess accuracy, mitigate bias, and ensure high-quality outputs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Majors in:

Based on pay transparency guidelines, the pay rate for this role is $40.00.

Join our team and make a lasting impact!

Other consultancies talk at you.

At West Monroe, we work with you.

We’re a global business and technology consulting firm passionate about creating measurable value for our clients, delivering real-world solutions.

The combination of business and technology is not new, but how we bring them together is unique. We’re fluent in both. We know that technology alone is not the answer, but how we apply it is. We rely on data to constantly adapt and solve new challenges. Actions that work today with outcomes that generate value for years to come.

At West Monroe, we zero in on the heart of the opportunity, getting to results faster and preparing people for what’s next.

You’ll feel the difference in how we work. We show up personally. We’re right there in the room with you, co-creating through the challenges. With West Monroe, collaboration isn’t a lofty promise, but a daily action. We work together with you to turn vision into clear action with lasting impact.

West Monroe** ****is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer**
We believe in treating each employee and applicant for employment fairly and with dignity. We base our employment decisions on merit, experience, and potential, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. To learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at West Monroe, visit www.westmonroe.com/inclusion. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in our recruiting process, please inquire by sending an email to [e-mail].

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read West Monroe’s Notice at Collection for California residents, provided pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and linked here.