Associate Director - Integrations, Separations & Carve- Outs (Private Equity)

Cross Country Consulting; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cross Country Consulting is seeking an Associate Director to lead complex integration and separation projects for private equity clients. The role involves substantial client delivery, team leadership, and developing junior members. You will drive program management and client communications while implementing AI-enabled solutions.

The ideal candidate has over 7 years of professional services experience, successful track record in M&A projects, and fosters client relationships. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, and the role may involve travel to client sites as necessary.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in professional services.
• Proven track record of large-scale transformation projects.
• Direct M&A integration experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration and separation engagements end-to-end.
• Build and enhance client relationships.
• Mentor and develop junior team members.

Skills

Project management

Client relationship building

Mentoring

AI tool adoption

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Finance, or Information Systems

Job description

By joining our rapidly growing Private Equity practice, you will serve as a trusted partner to PE clients executing buy-and-build, carve‑out, and divestiture investment theses.

You will bring first‑hand experience, unique perspectives, and functional knowledge to deliver strategic and tactical integration, separation, and TSA support to PE sponsors and management teams.

As an Associate Director, you will be responsible for a mix of client delivery, team leadership, and the development of junior team members. You will also participate in account management and business development activities.

What You’ll Do:

Integration work

• Lead complex integration engagements, translating the sponsor’s thesis into a cross‑functional plan covering every workstream.
• Build target operating models and re‑engineer processes for post‑close and NewCo operating states.
• Drive Day 1 integration readiness across functions.
• Own C‑suite and sponsor communication on integration progress.
• Drive holistic IMO and program management.
• Contribute to developing and implementing firm‑approved, AI‑enabled solutions for clients, in accordance with company policies on data protection, intellectual property, and professional standards.
• Stay informed about emerging AI tools and techniques and collaborate with firm leadership to identify compliant opportunities to enhance client solutions and internal processes.

Separation and Carve‑Out work

• Lead separation, carve‑out, and divestiture engagements end‑to‑end, including the stand‑up of NewCo entities.
• Run functional separation planning and entanglement analysis.
• Structure, negotiate, and manage TSAs and reverse TSAs, including scoping, pricing, service levels, and exit planning.
• Lead legal entity separation, IT and data separation, and employee and customer migrations.
• Stand up standalone operating capabilities for divested businesses.
• Drive holistic program management and PMO; keep client leadership, deal teams, and third parties aligned through execution.

Internal / Business Development

• Build new client relationships, deepen existing ones, and support leadership in go‑to‑market efforts and proposal creation.
• Play a key role in talent development, including mentoring and coaching junior team members.
• Attract, interview, hire, and retain top talent.

What You’ll Bring:

• 7+ years of prior experience in professional services.
• Track record of running large‑scale transformation projects to completion.
• Direct experience across M&A integrations, carve‑outs, and divestitures.
• Hands‑on experience structuring and managing TSAs.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior talent.
• Comfort with AI: Demonstrated ability to responsibly explore and adopt firm‑approved AI tools to enhance productivity and innovation.
• Continuous learning mindset: Openness to learning and applying emerging technologies, including AI and automation, in alignment with firm policies and client standards.
• Willingness to travel to client sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Information Systems, or similar technical discipline.