Director, M&A Separations & Execution

Kelly Services; Deerfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Telemedicine

Retirement savings plan

Service bonus and holiday pay

Transit spending account

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Kelly Services is seeking a Director, M&A Separations & Execution in a hybrid role based near Deerfield, IL. The position leads end-to-end divestitures, carve-outs, asset sales, and post-close separation activities, coordinating with Finance, Legal, IT, HR, Supply Chain, and more.

The role combines strategic planning with hands-on execution and governance across global operations, with Day 1 readiness as a core deliverable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, engineering, operations or related field. MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Five+ years’ direct carve-out, divestiture, separation, or transaction execution experience with operational responsibility.
• Experience in medical devices, MedTech, healthcare, or highly regulated global industries.
• Significant professional experience in M&A, Separation Management, business operations, transformation, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated sell-side M&A experience, ideally involving complex businesses, carve-outs, or asset sales.
• Experience across all transaction phases: pre-sign planning, sign-to-close execution, Day 1 readiness, and post-close separation.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of divestitures, carve-outs, asset sales, and related portfolio transactions.
• Partner with global functional leads to identify separation requirements and translate transaction strategy into actionable operating plans.
• Establish and manage the Separation Management Office (SMO); develop and maintain master plans, issue logs, and deliverables.
• Design, negotiate, and oversee TSAs and interim operating models.
• Ensure Day 1 readiness and drive post-close separation activities toward intended outcomes.
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings and communications with leaders and advisors.
• Manage operational risk and dependencies across functions, jurisdictions, and time zones.
• Develop executive materials and reports to communicate progress, risks, and recommendations.
• Execute hands-on work including analysis, documentation, and planning to move transactions forward.

Skills

M&A leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/finance/engineering/operations

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

Company: Kelly Services

Job Title: Director, M&A Separations & Execution

Location: Hybrid - Deerfield, IL

Duration: 6+ month contract

Reports To: VP, Strategy & Corporate Development

Position Summary

The Director, M&A Separations & Execution is responsible for planning and executing complex divestitures, carve‑outs, asset sales, and other portfolio transactions from initial planning through Day 1 and post‑close separation. This hands‑on role translates transaction strategy into practical operating plans across business operations and corporate functions. Partnering closely with functional leaders—including Finance, Legal, IT, HR, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial—the Director shapes and operates the Separation Management Office (SMO). Responsibilities include defining separation requirements, interim operating models, Transition Service Agreements (TSAs), Day 1 readiness, and delivering the intended post‑close end state.

This individual contributor role works directly with the VP, Strategy & Corporate Development, facilitating cross‑functional activities and managing deal governance to drive operational progress.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of divestitures, carve‑outs, asset sales, and related portfolio transactions.
• Partner with global functional leads to identify separation requirements and translate transaction strategy into actionable operating plans.
• Establish and manage the Separation Management Office (SMO); develop and maintain master plans, issue logs, and critical deliverables.
• Design, negotiate, and oversee Transition Service Agreements (TSAs) and interim operating models.
• Ensure Day 1 readiness and drive post‑close separation activities toward intended outcomes.
• Facilitate cross‑functional meetings, workshops, and communication with business leaders and third‑party advisors.
• Manage operational risk and dependencies across functions, jurisdictions, and time zones.
• Develop executive‑level materials and reports to communicate progress, risks, and recommendations.
• Execute hands‑on work including analysis, documentation, and planning required to move transactions forward.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, engineering, operations, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Five or more years’ direct carve‑out, divestiture, separation, or transaction execution experience with operational responsibility.
• Experience in medical devices, MedTech, healthcare, or highly regulated global industries.
• Significant professional experience in M&A, Separation Management, business operations, transformation, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated sell‑side M&A experience, ideally involving complex businesses, carve‑outs, or asset sales.
• Experience across all transaction phases: pre‑sign planning, sign‑to‑close execution, Day 1 readiness, and post‑close separation.
• Track record of developing and executing separation plans across multiple functions.
• Proven expertise in developing/managing TSAs—including governance and exit planning.
• Experience designing interim operating models linked to separations.
• Strong operational background with proven ability to assess impacts on processes, systems, people, supply chains, and business continuity.
• Effectiveness working across global, matrixed organizations, jurisdictions, and time zones.
• Leadership of complex cross‑functional programs; ability to influence senior stakeholders without formal authority.
• Strong financial, commercial, analytical, and problem‑solving skills; comfort with ambiguity.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, including executive‑level presentations.
• Demonstrated hands‑on execution, including development of analyses, plans, materials, logs, and documentation.

Preferred:

• Background in Big Four deal practice, strategy consulting, corporate development, private equity, or transaction‑intensive environments.
• Experience with transactions involving manufacturing, supply chain, regulated products, or complex international operations.
• Experience working directly with buyers, sellers, investment bankers, counsel, and advisors.

Core Capabilities

• Separation Management Office
• Carve‑out and separation execution
• Sell‑side M&A
• Operational due diligence
• Day 1 readiness and cutover
• TSA development, governance, and exit
• Interim operating‑model design
• Cross‑functional program leadership
• Operational risk management
• Executive communication and influence
• Global business operations
• Structured problem solving
• Hands‑on execution

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Get a complete career fit with Kelly.

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About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI‑powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affluent Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.