Senior M&A Strategy & Execution Leader

PremiStar; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

PremiStar is seeking an experienced M&A leader in the Chicago area to drive the execution of strategic transactions from evaluation through closing. The role coordinates legal, finance, tax, HR, IT, operations, and advisory partners to deliver value and manage risk across multiple deals.

You will lead due diligence, develop business cases, and present to executives while guiding cross-functional teams and implementing standardized M&A processes for speed, quality, and accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• MBA or other advanced business degree (preferred).
• 10+ years of leadership experience.
• 10+ years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate development, investment banking, transaction advisory, private equity, or related fields.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, or PMP (Preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions from initial evaluation through closing.
• Manage transaction timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure successful completion of deals.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders, including legal, finance, tax, HR, IT, operations, and third-party advisors.
• Support valuation analyses, business case development, investment memorandums, and executive presentations.
• Identify transaction risks and develop mitigation strategies throughout the deal process.
• Direct and oversee comprehensive due diligence efforts across all functional areas.
• Ensure diligence workstreams are properly staffed, coordinated, and completed within established deadlines.
• Facilitate issue identification, risk assessment, and escalation to executive leadership as needed.
• Maintain diligence tracking tools, data rooms, and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Verify that critical findings are documented and incorporated into transaction recommendations and integration planning.
• Serve as the primary facilitator between internal teams to ensure effective communication, alignment, and decision-making.
• Establish and maintain standardized M&A processes, governance structures, and best practices.
• Drive accountability across functional leaders for completion of transaction-related deliverables.
• Lead recurring deal review meetings and executive updates.
• Continuously improve transaction workflows to enhance speed, quality, and consistency of execution.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of M&A professionals.
• Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing mentoring and development opportunities.
• Foster a high-performance culture centered on collaboration, accountability, and execution excellence.
• Allocate resources effectively across multiple active transactions and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with integration teams to ensure seamless transition from diligence through post-close integration planning.
• Support development of synergy analyses and value creation initiatives.
• Assist the VP of M&A in shaping acquisition strategy, pipeline management, and target prioritization.
• Prepare and present recommendations to executive leadership regarding transaction opportunities and risks.

Skills

M&A leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Due diligence management

Project management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Negotiation

Travel 50%+

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business

MBA or related advanced degree

Job description

PremiStar is seeking an experienced M&A leader in the Chicago area to drive the execution of strategic transactions from evaluation through closing. The role coordinates legal, finance, tax, HR, IT, operations, and advisory partners to deliver value and manage risk across multiple deals.

You will lead due diligence, develop business cases, and present to executives while guiding cross-functional teams and implementing standardized M&A processes for speed, quality, and accountability.