Senior Human Resources Manager - M&A

Celanese; Irving (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Celanese is seeking an HR M&A Senior Manager to lead people-related work for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures from our Irving, TX headquarters. You will partner with Corporate Development, Legal, Finance, IT, and business leaders to ensure thorough due diligence, integration planning, and post-close execution in a fast-paced deal environment.

You will lead HR due diligence, plan HR integration or separation workstreams, manage change and communications, and influence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience including direct involvement in M&A and divestitures.
• Strong knowledge of core HR disciplines (rewards, ER, payroll, HR ops).
• Proven project management in complex cross-functional environments.
• Experience handling confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR due diligence for M&A and divestitures across workforce, comp, benefits, labor relations, policies, and liabilities.
• Identify people-related risks and integration considerations; document findings and recommendations.
• Advise deal teams on HR transaction risks and mitigation strategies.
• Develop and execute HR integration or separation strategies aligned with deal objectives and timelines.
• Lead planning for HR workstreams: structure, talent, compensation, payroll, HR systems, contracts, and Day 1 readiness.
• Partner with Communications and Leadership to support change management and messaging.
• Serve as the primary HR contact for M&A activities; collaborate with Legal, Finance, IT, Corporate Development, and external advisors.
• Establish and maintain HR M&A playbooks, templates, and best practices.
• Track milestones, risks, dependencies; drive post-integration reviews.

Skills

HR expertise

Project management

M&A experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA (preferred)

Job description

The HR M&A Sr Manager leads the people-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures. This role partners closely with Corporate Development, Legal, Finance, IT, and business leadership to ensure effective HR due diligence, integration planning, TSA and post-close execution. The ideal candidate brings strong HR expertise, project management discipline, and the ability to operate in complex, fast-paced deal environments. This role is hybrid out of our corporate headquarters in Irving, TX.

• Lead HR due diligence for M&A and divestiture activities, including workforce structure, compensation and benefits, labor relations, policies, compliance, and liabilities.
• Identify people-related risks, cost synergies, and integration considerations; clearly document findings and recommendations.
• Advise deal teams on HR-related transaction risks and mitigation strategies.

Integration & Separation Planning

• Develop and execute HR integration or separation strategies aligned with deal objectives and timelines.
• Lead planning for key HR workstreams, including:
• Organizational structure and workforce transition
• Talent and retention planning
• Compensation, benefits, and payroll alignment
• HR systems, data, and process integration
• Policies, compliance, and employment contracts
• Coordinate Day 1 readiness activities to ensure seamless employee transitions.

Change Management & Communications

• Partner with Communications and Leadership to support change management strategies and employee messaging.
• Support consistent, compliant, and timely employee communications throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary HR point of contact for M&A-related activities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, IT, Corporate Development and external advisors.
• Influence senior leaders with data-driven insights and practical solutions.
• Establish and maintain HR M&A playbooks, templates, and best practices.
• Track progress against milestones, risks, and dependencies.
• Drive post-integration reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future transactions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including direct involvement in M&A and divestitures.
• Strong knowledge of core HR disciplines (total rewards, employee relations, payroll and HR operations).
• Proven project management skills in complex, cross-functional environments.
• Experience managing confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s degree in HR, Business, or related field.
• Experience supporting global or cross-border transactions.
• Familiarity with employment law considerations across multiple jurisdictions.
• HR certification (SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent).
• Previous experience in a matrixed, multinational organization.
• Strong execution capability
• Influencing and stakeholder management
• Analytical and financial acumen related to people costs
• Clear, concise communication at all organizational levels
• Ability to thrive amid ambiguity and tight deadlines