Director, M&A Separations & Execution

Job Title: Director, M&A Separations & Execution
Location: Deerfield, IL – Remote/Hybrid (2–3 days onsite preferred; remote candidates willing to travel will also be considered)
Contract: 6 months (possible extension; no contract-to-hire)

Job Description
We are looking for an experienced Director, M&A Separations & Execution to lead end-to-end operational separation activities for sell-side M&A transactions, including divestitures, asset sales, and complex business carve-outs.

This individual will work closely with the VP of Strategy & Corporate Development and lead the Separation Management Office (SMO), coordinating cross-functional teams to develop separation plans, manage Transition Service Agreements (TSAs), ensure Day 1 readiness, and drive post-close transitions toward standalone operations.

This is a hands-on individual contributor position requiring both strategic leadership and direct execution of complex separation activities. There are no direct reports.

Key Responsibilities
Lead end-to-end sell-side M&A divestitures, asset carve-outs, and complex operational separations.
Establish and manage the Separation Management Office (SMO), including governance, timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
Develop and execute separation plans covering pre-signing, sign-to-close, Day 1 readiness, and post-close activities.
Develop and manage TSA scopes, schedules, service requirements, costs, governance, and exit plans, including Reverse TSAs.
Manage complex operational separations and seller/buyer dependencies.
Design interim operating models and transition roadmaps toward standalone operations.
Coordinate cross-functional teams across Finance, Legal, IT, HR, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial.
Identify operational risks, dependencies, stranded costs, and mitigation strategies.
Manage global stakeholders across the U.S., Europe, and APAC.
Provide executive-level updates, strategic recommendations, and hands-on execution support.

Must-Have Requirements
Direct experience leading sell-side M&A divestitures and asset carve-outs – mandatory.
Strong Separation Management Office (SMO) leadership and execution experience.
Hands-on experience developing and managing Transition Service Agreements (TSAs), including scopes, schedules, service requirements, and costs.
Experience with Reverse TSAs and TSA exit planning.
Experience managing complex operational separations and seller/buyer dependencies.
End-to-end transaction execution experience covering pre-signing, sign-to-close, Day 1 readiness, and post-close separation.
Experience designing interim operating models and standalone business transition plans.
Global stakeholder management experience across the U.S., Europe, and APAC.
Strong cross-functional leadership across Finance, Legal, IT, HR, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory.
Ability to provide strategic direction while personally driving hands-on execution.
Strong executive communication, risk management, and problem-solving skills.
Director-level experience preferred. Senior Managers with director-level responsibilities will also be considered.

Industry Preference
Medical Devices / MedTech – strong preference.
Pharmaceutical / Healthcare.
Other highly regulated industries.
Consulting candidates are welcome if they have relevant M&A separation project and client experience.

Location & Availability
Deerfield, IL local candidates preferred.
Onsite presence expected 2–3 days per week.
Remote candidates may be considered if willing to travel to Deerfield.
Occasional evening meetings may be required to coordinate with APAC teams.

Interview Process
First Round: Microsoft Teams interview with the Hiring Manager (Octave).
Second Round: Potential interview with HR and additional stakeholders.

Top 5 Critical Screening Criteria
Proven sell-side M&A divestiture and asset carve-out experience.
Strong SMO leadership and execution experience.
Hands-on TSA and Reverse TSA development and management.
Day 1 readiness and complex operational separation experience.
Global stakeholder management and hands-on execution capabilities.