Acquisition Integration Lead

Type: Direct-HireCategory: Internal PositionsIndustry: InternalReference ID: 10081895Job record: a1qjB000000mHL7QAMValid through: 2027-09-21Acquisition Lead, Consulting ServicesReports to: President, Consulting Services | Full-time | Hybrid / Flexible | Senior LeadershipPosition OverviewWe are a $300M consultancy portfolio at a pivotal stage in our growth journey and with an aggressive growth mandate. The Acquisition Lead serves as a strategic partner and operational force multiplier to the President of Consulting Services. This role sits at the center of the business - translating executive vision into action and driving organizational inorganic growth priorities. The right candidate is entrepreneurial and capable of developing and executing a strategic M&A playbook, identifying, evaluating, and integrating acquisitions, and achieving an investment thesis. This role requires a technically credible, operationally excellent leader who thrives in ambiguous environments and will help drive integration of previously acquired assets as well as tenaciously focus on inorganic growth and help identify and seamlessly integrate future acquisitions.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Execution• Develop and execute a plan on integration of previously acquired consulting assets• Partner with the President to define and drive the annual strategic agenda for M&A within the Consulting Services division• Support inorganic growth in all phases of the transaction lifecycle• Author an M&A playbook• Refine identification and assessment of targets• Perform in-depth analysis of potential targets• Serve as integration lead for acquired entities• Ensure achievement of investment thesisLeadership Operations• Serve as a trusted sounding board and advisor to the President on inorganic growth opportunities• Own and present the analysis of potential targets• Manage a team of direct reports as the function grows• Provide relevant updates on inorganic growth performance to consulting leadershipBusiness Performance & Analytics• Develop a clear and concise methodology to consistently measure acquisition performance• Partner with President to drive planning, budgeting, and operational execution of the M&A playbook• Synthesize data from multiple sources into clear narratives on inorganic growth performance for leadership and board consumptionInternal Communications & Culture• Shape and steward a consistent organizational narrative across the consulting portfolio, partnering with the President to build alignment, manage change communications, and reinforce a unified culture across business units• Preserve the positive critical elements of culture upon integration of existing and future consulting assets• Partner with People Operations to support talent and workforce planning initiatives• Champion a cohesive team culture across a geographically distributed consulting organizationQualificationsRequired10+ years of experience in technology consulting, business operations, or strategy rolesExperience supporting all phases of the transaction lifecycle, with a focus on post-merger integrationDemonstrated track record working directly with or in support of C-suite or senior executivesExceptional written and verbal communication; executive-ready presentation skillsStrong analytical fluency, comfortable turning data into strategic narrativeHigh degree of discretion and sound judgment in sensitive situationsA genuine AI adopter who actively uses AI tools to do their own work better, and brings curiosity and initiative to identifying how these tools can transformPreferredMBA or advanced degree in a relevant fieldPrior experience in a professional services or consulting firm environmentExperience with workforce analytics and HR systemsIn-depth familiarity with change management methodologiesProficiency with Microsoft 365 suite and ClaudePrior experience leading through organizational transformation or business unit integrationWhat Success Looks Like in Year One• A detailed M&A playbook for consulting services• Repeatable framework for CIM analysis and synergy calculation• Stakeholders across the organization view the Acquisition Integration Lead as a trusted, high-integrity resource• Any acquisitions considered an early success CompensationChicago Metro Component Chicago Metro Base Salary $200,000 – $280,000 Posting range Annual Bonus 20% – 35% % of base Total Comp (Est.) $240,000 – $380,000 Base + bonus Compensation is determined by relevant experience, market data, and internal equity. Final offers may include additional elements such as long-term incentive participation, professional development funding, and comprehensive benefits. Ranges reflect 2026 market data for senior Chief of Staff roles in professional services.Role Details Travel Expectation Direct Reports Work Location Up to 25%0–2 to startHybrid