Managing Director – Financial Services - Operations

Description

Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”) is a global consulting firm with over $2.8+ billion in revenues and 7000 staff offering a broad range of professional services including Restructuring, Transaction Advisory, Private Equity Performance Improvement (“PEPI”), Corporate Transformation Services, Valuations, and Disputes & Investigation Services. Companies, investors, and government entities around the world turn to A&M for leadership, action and results.

A&M’s dedicated PEPI professionals work with Investors and their portfolio companies to provide independent analysis and end to end services across the investment life cycle that deliver results in every economic cycle.  

Whether serving in a performance improvement advisory capacity for an under-performing company or in interim management roles, we draw on a deep operational heritage and proven approaches, such as our proprietary diagnostic – the Rapid Results Program, which helps to quickly and effectively assess business process management risks and identify key areas impeding performance. 

Through our PEPI practice, A&M offers assistance to private equity owned portfolio companies that are under-performing or with a need of re-organization and re-positioning. Working directly with company management, A&M's involvement reassures all stakeholders that the company is taking important steps to address its problems and maximize its value. 

Purpose of the role:  

Within our established and highly regarded PEPI team, an opportunity exists for a

Managing Director in London.

We are looking to hire someone who has a successful track record in the Financial Services sector, with a blend of operational, and consulting skills, an entrepreneurial approach, and networks across the M&A community in the UK and Europe. Supported by the Pan-European team, you will help build the profile and reputation of A&M PEPI in the UK. You will reflect the operational distinctiveness that is A&M; a business savvy, solution focused business entrepreneur who is determined to make a difference and not afraid to challenge the status-quo. The Managing Director will deliver advisory assignments in Pre and Post Deal and will support the development of commercial due diligence and strategic advisory with the proposition leader.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Support the development of the team in the UK and Europe by engaging with prospective clients and developing enduring senior level client relationships
• Build the A&M brand and profile by successfully winning and delivering client assignments and managing project teams to exceed client expectations
• Contribute to thought leadership and the development of the practice by raising the profile and our reputation with clients and internally across other teams  
• Provide a significant contribution to practice building activities such as recruiting and training junior team members
• Identify and manage key strategic suppliers/partnerships
• Managing a wide range of projects: Operational due diligence, post-merger integration, performance improvement, transformation, and interim management

• Evaluating both cost reduction and revenue enhancement opportunities 
• Leading the post-acquisition work to ensure that the ODD was realized in full and in the shortest possible time 

• Developing detailed and robust methodology to ensure that the in the first 100 days total clarity and ownership is created throughout the organization, a clear path to delivering the growth and cost reduction developed and the identified quick wins delivered 
• Where relevant, encompassing in the 100-day planning process the merger of two organizations for which a specific methodology has been developed
• Supporting delivery of projects with PE-owned businesses to assess opportunities to improve their financial /operating performance and implement findings and recommendations 
• Contributing strongly to business development activity including developing successful pitches and selling, on from the initial “diagnostic” project phase into implementation work 

• Initial rapid diagnostic into a company's immediate and future major operational issues, product profitability, cost base, processes optimisation and options for performance improvement 
• Supporting PE firms to ensure their portfolio companies have credible plans and the ability to execute and deliver the financial results required 
• Developing & implementing a new operating plan to improve the business operational performance

Requirements for this position: 

Essential: 

• An effective communicator who can engage effectively with leadership teams in pressure situations. 
• Private Equity Industry Savvy with established experience of working with Private Equity backed portfolio companies in financial services, particularly asset light sub-sectors such as wealth and asset management intermediaries and insurance distribution
• Extensive knowledge of Transformation, PMI, Due Diligence in a top tier PE or strategy firm, leading specialist and/or niche advisory firm or ‘Big 4’ consultancy 
• Track record of successfully delivering major assignments at pre and post deal stage
• Experience in operational KPIs, balance score cards, and a reporting/ review process to ensure continuous improvement of the operational performance of the business
• Lead holistic performance improvement projects, understanding different kinds of Project Management Office (PMO) tools 
• Ability and willingness to travel to client sites, across Europe 
• A Degree from an accredited university is essential  
• Fluency to a business level in English  

Desirable: 

• MBA, promotion, or financial qualification
• Additional European languages 

Diversity & Inclusion

A&M’s entrepreneurial culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who can positively impact our clients and shape our industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M’s core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are the main reasons our people love working at A&M. Inclusive Diversity means we embrace diversity, and we foster inclusiveness, encouraging everyone to bring their whole self to work each day. It runs through how we recruit, develop employees, conduct business, support clients, and partner with vendors. It is the A&M way.

Voluntary Inclusion

It is Alvarez & Marsal’s practice to provide and promote equal opportunity in employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, pregnancy, marital status, family status, religion, national origin, age or disability or any other non-merit based factor or any other characteristics in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Unsolicited Resumes from Third-Party Recruiters

Please note that as per A&M policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening and in alignment with our Inclusive Diversity values. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that A&M will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.