Senior Manager, Commercial Diligence (Software & IT Services, Private Equity)

University of Denver; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Manager for Commercial Diligence in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. This role is pivotal in leading due diligence engagements for private equity clients in the software and IT services sectors. The successful candidate will manage project teams, synthesize market insights, and develop proprietary knowledge assets, all while fostering a high-performance culture. This is a fantastic opportunity to leverage your extensive consulting experience in a dynamic environment that values innovation and collaboration.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in strategy consulting or commercial diligence, with at least 3 years leading engagements.
• Strong analytical skills: market sizing, cohort analysis, customer segmentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end commercial diligence engagements for private equity investors.
• Synthesize market insights into investor-grade deliverables including reports and presentations.

Skills

Strategic Consulting

Commercial Diligence

Software and IT Services

Analytical Skills

Executive Communication

Leadership

Education

MBA or equivalent graduate degree

Undergraduate degree in business, economics, computer science, or engineering

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Senior Manager, Commercial Diligence (Software & IT Services, Private Equity)

Recruitment began on May 7, 2025, and the job listing expires on June 13, 2025.

Location: San Francisco, CA. This is a full-time, mid-career alumni job.

Founded in 1886, Arthur D. Little (ADL) is the world’s first consulting firm, continually transforming business through expertise in strategy, technology, and innovation. With over 1,500 consultants across 40 offices in more than 30 countries, ADL has maintained consistent growth, achieving double-digit revenue growth in 2024. In the US, ADL has offices in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, with plans to open in Detroit and Atlanta. Since 2019, ADL's US revenues and staff have quadrupled, and the firm is planning to double its US business within the next two years through expansion in existing and new industry practices.

As ADL continues to grow, we seek a senior manager with extensive experience leading commercial due diligence engagements for private equity clients related to software and/or IT services.

Arthur D. Little US is proud to be Certified by Great Place To Work, with 98% of employees affirming it’s a great place to work.

Preference for candidates interested in being located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Key Responsibilities:

We seek experienced professionals to enhance our commercial diligence expertise. This role is ideal for those with a strong foundation in strategy consulting and experience in software/IT services.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end commercial diligence engagements (buy-side and sell-side) for private equity investors focused on software and IT services, typically completed in 3–4 weeks.
• Structure and manage project teams (2-6 consultants/analysts), setting work plans, quality standards, and timelines, while coaching team members.
• Serve as primary client interface, translating hypotheses into workstreams, providing weekly updates, and aligning stakeholders.
• Synthesize market, competitive, and customer insights into clear, investor-grade deliverables including summaries, detailed reports, and presentations.
• Develop proprietary knowledge assets such as thought papers, industry primers, and benchmarks to deepen expertise and support business development.
• Contribute to practice growth by shaping service offerings, preparing pitch materials, mentoring talent, and fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture.

Required Experience & Skills

• 7+ years in strategy consulting or commercial diligence, with at least 3 years leading engagements.
• Proven track record in software, SaaS, or IT services markets, including pricing models, GTM strategies, and key value drivers.
• Deep understanding of private equity deal cycles, diligence questions, and investment standards.
• Strong analytical skills: market sizing, cohort analysis, customer segmentation, primary research, and financial modeling.
• Executive-level communication skills—ability to distill complex analyses into concise narratives and defend recommendations.
• Proven leadership abilities—coaching teams, managing workloads, and providing feedback in fast-paced environments.
• MBA or equivalent graduate degree preferred; undergraduate degree in business, economics, computer science, or engineering required.

Preferred Attributes

• Network of senior contacts in the software & IT services ecosystem.
• Experience authoring thought leadership or conference presentations.
• Familiarity with data & BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and AI/ML trends in enterprise software.

Desired Candidate Profile:

Educational Background:

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or PhD) in a related field is a plus.

Key Skills and Attributes:

• Strong problem-solving skills, hypothesis-driven analysis, and data interpretation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership experience, including team management and collaboration.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and adaptability.

Additional Requirements:

• U.S. work authorization, at least OPT STEM.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

ADL is committed to diversity and inclusion. We ensure no discrimination based on race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, or disability. For accommodations, contact [e-mail].