Senior Associate, Private Equity Performance Improvement

Description

Senior Associate - Private Equity Performance Improvement

Alvarez & Marsal

Amsterdam

Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”) is a global consulting firm with more than $3.5+ billion in revenues, c. 9000 staff and over 75 offices worldwide. We offer a broad range of professional services including Restructuring, Transaction Advisory, Performance Improvement, Corporate Transformation, Financial Institutions Advisory, Tax, Valuations, and Disputes and Investigation Services. 

We are an independent advisory firm, unrestricted by any conflict with audit mandates and we operate cross-border as one team.

Department:  Private Equity Performance Improvement (PEPI)

Our Private Equity Performance Improvement team of 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, Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) offers assistance to private equity owned portfolio companies that are under-performing or with a need of re-organisation 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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work on projects with private equity owned businesses to assess opportunities to improve their financial /operating performance and implement findings and recommendations;
• Deliver high-impact pan-European projects, from pre-acquisition support to transformation, performance improvement, operational turnaround and exit
• Initial rapid diagnostic into a company's immediate and future major operational issues, product profitability, cost base, manufacturing processes and options for performance improvement;
• Operational due diligence, 100-day planning, post-merger integration and performance improvement;
• Evaluating both cost reduction and revenue enhancement opportunities;
• Review clients’ immediate and future issues and develop actionable options to improve performance & generate strategic advantage;
• Complete in-depth financial analysis including creating integrated financial models and cash flow projections;
• Support PE firms to ensure their portfolio companies have credible plans and the ability to execute and deliver the financial results required;
• Develop and implement a new operating plan to improve the business operational performance;
• Support business development activities including developing successful pitches and selling, on from the initial “diagnostic” project phase into implementation work.

Requirements:

The successful candidate will be an execution-focused self-starter with entrepreneurial flair. They will be comfortable working independently as well as part of a high performing team. Previous experience or exposure gained in a Private Equity firm or a PE focused consulting firm such as a top tier strategy firm, a leading specialist advisory firm or ‘Big 4’ consultancy is advantageous.

Specifically, the successful candidate will have:

• MSc Degree from an accredited top-tier university;
• Previous experience within a leading strategy/operational Consulting house as a must;
• Experience from either within Private Equity, Corporate Finance or Operations is highly desirable;
• Experience in operational KPIs, Balance Score Cards, and a reporting/ review process to ensure continuous improvement of the operational performance of the business;
• Understanding different kinds of Project Management Office (PMO) tools;
• An ability and willingness to travel (potentially from Day 1) to client sites, across the Amsterdam & European regions, at short notice as part of the working week;
• Clear determination to deliver the latest thinking in pre- and post- deal solutions;
• Excellent problem-solving skills and financial background combined with deep understanding of key business and operational drivers 
• Good financial modelling, writing, and presentation-building skills coupled with excellent attention to detail 
• Fluency to a business level in both English and Dutch is essential (written and verbal).

A&M’s entrepreneurial culture celebrates independent thinkers who positively impact our clients and shape our industry. 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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sex or gender, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, family medical history, genetic information or other protected medical condition, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by and in accordance with applicable laws. Employees and Applicants can find A&M policy statements and additional information by region here.

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.