Lead Business Consultant - M&A Integration

Health Care Service Corp.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Health Care Service Corporation is seeking a Lead Business Consultant to drive complex integration initiatives, governance, and strategic execution across the lifecycle. You will partner with executives, internal teams, and vendors to achieve objectives, readiness, and value realization.

The role emphasizes guiding enterprise standards, managing risks, and leading transformation programs with a focus on multi-project delivery and cross-functional collaboration in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7 years of experience OR 11 years of experience in project management, business analysis, process improvement, finance, operations, or healthcare functions.
• Demonstrated experience coaching and mentoring teams and junior resources.
• Ability to influence senior leaders, drive alignment across functions, and coordinate stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong knowledge of integration management, governance, change management, operational readiness, implementation and continuous improvement.
• Experience communicating with senior management and executives; presenting to an executive audience.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end integration, separation, and transition initiatives across the lifecycle, including due diligence, planning, execution, change adoption, and post-transition activities.
• Establish and manage integration roadmaps, governance structures, program plans, and workstreams; align with deal rationale and timelines.
• Influence and advise executives, internal teams, external partners, and acquired organizations; facilitate leadership alignment.
• Develop KPIs, track synergy/value realization, and provide recommendations to leadership.
• Identify risks and dependencies; develop mitigation strategies and drive resolution of cross-functional issues.
• Develop and enhance IMO methodologies, frameworks, standards, and best practices; mentor team members.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Risk management

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

At HCSC, our employees are the cornerstone of our business and the foundation to our success. We empower employees with curated development plans that foster growth and promote rewarding, fulfilling careers. Join HCSC and be part of a purpose-driven company that will invest in your professional development.

Job Summary

The Lead Business Consultant serves as a subject matter expert and leads complex integration, separation, divestiture, carve-out, partnership, and third-party vendor initiatives across the integration and transition lifecycle. This role develops integration strategies, governance frameworks, operating models, and execution plans while partnering with business leaders, executives, internal and external stakeholders, and vendors to achieve strategic objectives and successful integration outcomes. The Lead Business Consultant provides expert guidance, drives organizational readiness, manages complex risks and dependencies, and advances enterprise integration standards, reusable frameworks, and best practices to support value realization and long-term organizational success.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead Integration, Separation, and Transition Initiative Planning and Execution - Lead end-to-end integration and separation initiatives across the integration and transition lifecycle, including due diligence support, planning, execution, change adoption, Day 1 readiness, TSA management, Hypercare, Books & Records, and post-transition activities to achieve integration objectives and maximize business outcomes.
• Drive Integration Governance and Program Management - Establish and manage integration roadmaps, governance structures, program plans, and workstream activities; ensure alignment with deal rationale, business objectives, timelines, budgets, quality expectations, and key milestones.
• Manage Stakeholder Relationships and Influence Decision-Making - Inform, influence, and advise business leaders, executives, functional teams, external partners, and acquired organizations; facilitate leadership alignment, resolve escalated issues, and serve as a liaison during critical phases of the transaction lifecycle.
• Support Value Realization and Performance Management - Develop and monitor KPIs, track synergy and benefit realization, conduct post-integration evaluations, and provide recommendations to leadership to improve integration outcomes and support achievement of transaction objectives.
• Identify and Resolve Complex Risks and Operational Issues - Proactively identify risks, dependencies, entanglements, and operational challenges; develop mitigation strategies and drive resolution of complex cross-functional issues that could impact delivery or value realization.
• Advance Integration Standards, Frameworks, and Continuous Improvement - Develop, maintain, and enhance IMO methodologies, frameworks, operational models, standards, and best practices; mentor team members and support process improvements that increase integration effectiveness and organizational value.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7 years of experience OR 11 years of experience in project management, business analysis, process improvement, finance, operations, strategic planning or other relevant healthcare function 4 years of experience leading with large and complex multi-million-dollar projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and mentoring teams and more junior resources.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders, drive alignment across multiple business functions, and coordinate internal and external stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong knowledge of integration management, governance, organizational change, operational readiness, implementation, and continuous improvement practices.
• Experience communicating with senior management and executive leadership from multiple divisions.
• Experience developing and delivering presentations to an executive audience.
• Problem resolution experience and skills.
• Knowledge of strategic planning techniques and industry trends.
• Experience interpreting business and financial information.
• Verbal and written communications skills including establishing working relationships across departments, preparing presentations to senior management, and establishing team environment.
• Experience managing and delegating assignments across multiple complex projects successfully in a matrixed environment.
• PC proficiency to include MS Office products.
• Organizational skills.
• Problem resolution experience and skills.
• Negotiations skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Detail oriented.

Preferred Required Job Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations, Organizational Change, or a related discipline.
• Experience leading mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, separations, carve-outs, partnerships, vendor integrations, or enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Prior management consulting, corporate strategy, corporate development, enterprise transformation, or integration management experience.
• Experience measuring business outcomes through KPI development, value realization, benefits tracking, synergy tracking, or operational performance measurement.
• Experience leading organizational change efforts and driving stakeholder readiness and adoption.
• Health insurance or healthcare industry experience.
• Proven strategic thinking and execution.
• Ability to drive decisions, create optionality and determine impacts of options.
• Ability to clearly articulate and prepare presentations for all levels to share data, options and recommendations.

This role is expected to adhere to HCSC hybrid FLEX work structure of 3 days in office / 2 days WFH weekly.

Pay Transparency Statement

At Health Care Service Corporation, you will be part of an organization committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees to support their life outside of work. From health and wellness benefits, 401(k) savings plan, pension plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, disability insurance, supplemental life insurance, employee assistance program, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, plus other incentives, we offer a robust total rewards package for employees.

Learn more about our benefit offerings by visiting https://careers.hcsc.com/totalrewards.

The compensation offered will vary depending on your job-related skills, education, knowledge, and experience. This role aligns with an annual incentive bonus plan subject to the terms and the conditions of the plan.

Base Pay Range

$92,700.00 - $167,500.00

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

HCSC Employment Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employment employer dedicated to providing a welcoming environment where the unique differences of our employees are respected and valued.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employment employer dedicated to workforce diversity and a drug-free and smoke-free workplace.

HCSC is committed to diversity in the workplace and to providing equal opportunity to employees and applicants.

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and need an accommodation or assistance in either using the Careers website or completing the application process, you can call us at 1-866-977-7378 to request reasonable accommodations. Please note that only requests for accommodations in the application process will be returned.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Divisions of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, and Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association © Copyright 2025 Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved.