Associate Director, Strategic Advisory (Turnaround & Restructuring)

Are you looking to join an organization that is growing and dynamic? What about a high-energy, collaborative environment that rewards hard work?

J.S. Held is a global consulting firm providing financial, operational, investment banking, technical, scientific, and litigation support expertise across all industries and situations. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high-stakes events and transition demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, clear-cut analysis, blended with operating and leadership implementation expertise. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, often contentious, and at times catastrophic situations. We have over 100 locations worldwide. We are highly committed to all members of our community, both employees and clients. Our organization focuses on promoting a sense of community and inspiring our people to achieve results that exceed goals.

J.S. Held’s Global Turnaround and Restructuring Practice provides companies and their investors, legal counsel, financial institutions, with the information required to make well-informed business decisions. With experts located across the globe, we support clients in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

We are leaders in the boardroom, C-suite, and on the shop floor. We regularly interact with our clients at all levels to assess and address the real challenges and to develop solutions that solve complex problems facing our clients. We identify areas of opportunity across the operations landscape, develop improvement strategies, and convert that strategy into action to optimize performance.

Job Summary

Our Turnaround and Restructuring Practice has openings available at the Associate Director level. The candidate will join an experienced and closely-knit team of turnaround & restructuring professionals, with deep experience in leading, planning, and solving the most complex client situations. The ideal VP/Director candidate will possess 5-10 years of post-graduate experience in turnaround and restructuring roles and be located in the Chicago, IL area.

Job Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will possess a demonstrated track record with significant turnaround and/or workout restructuring experience including interim/crisis management, complex cash flow projections and operational restructuring. Success in this position will be measured by both successfully executing and sourcing new deal flow.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Financial Analysis and Modeling: Conduct detailed financial modeling, review and analyze large amounts of financial data, and develop projections to support turnaround strategies. This includes:
  • Creating and maintaining complex financial models to forecast cash flows, profitability, and liquidity.
  • Performing sensitivity analyses to understand the impact of various financial scenarios.
  • Evaluating financial statements to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Developing comprehensive financial reports and presentations for stakeholders.
• Operational Restructuring: Assess business plans, conduct due diligence, and develop and implement various business strategies for turnaround and profitability improvement. This includes:
  • Analyzing operational processes to identify inefficiencies and areas for cost reduction.
  • Designing and implementing restructuring plans to optimize operational performance.
  • Collaborating with management teams to develop and execute strategic initiatives.
  • Monitoring and reporting on the progress of restructuring efforts to ensure alignment with business goals.
• Transaction Management: Lead mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, sales, and business wind down processes.
• Client and Network Development: Expand and exploit our existing referral network, and integrate the successful candidate’s referral network with the firm’s existing platform.
• Leadership and Presentation: Lead presentations to referral sources, potential clients, and existing clients, demonstrating expertise and building trust.

**This position requires travel to clients, at times extensive.**

We are looking for candidates possessing :

• Strategic Thinking: Keen intellectual curiosity and the ability to align the broader objectives with the operational challenges and needs for change to meet long-term business goals.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to analyzing data, identifying solutions, and implementing changes.
• Leaders in Change: Ability to inspire and guide teams through change.
• Adaptability: Capacity to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, often chaotic environment.

Attributes & Background:

• 3 years minimum of work experience in a Financial Position either with an Accounting Firm, Financial Consulting or an Operating Company.
• Must have a thorough understanding of financial modeling and valuation analysis, data management, capital advisory services and the M&A process, deal structuring and negotiation.
• Management of and participation in the financial and operational reviews of a wide variety of business clients.
• Ability to lead significant projects with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrated capabilities for turnaround, interim management (CEO/CFO/CRO) in larger tiered client environments and M&A diligence assignments.
• Ability to develop and implement strategies designed to restore our client’s performance.
• Prior participation in Quality of Earnings assignments relating to transaction advisory services a plus.
• Prior experience with Chapter 11 bankruptcies, sales through Section 363 auctions, and/or DIP financing is strongly desired.
• Understanding of the asset-based lending environment and borrowing base certificates.
• Lead and participate in a variety of marketing and business development activities to further mature the current Strategic Advisory presence in the marketplace as appropriate.
• Undergraduate degree in finance or related field. MBA or other advanced degree is strongly preferred.
• CTP, CFE or CIRA a plus

Physical and Mental Job Qualifications:

• Reasonable work-life balance as our Consultants typical work week is Monday through Friday (Rare Weekends) at 45-50 hours per week.
• Requires travel of 50% or more most weeks.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Some of the Benefits We Have Include

• Flexible PTO Policy(unlimited-subject to policies)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401k Match
• Commuter Benefits

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $118k - $133k. Any offered salary range is based on a wide array of factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, training, location, scope of role, management responsibility, etc.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read the J.S. Held Online Privacy Notice and hereby freely and unambiguously give informed consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of your personal information as required and described therein. California residents can click here to learn more about the personal information we collect and here to learn about additional privacy rights that may be available.

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EEO and Job Accommodations

We embrace diversity and our commitment to building a team and environment that fosters professional and personal enrichment is unwavering. We are greater when we are equal!

J.S. Held is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request for a reasonable accommodation, please email View email address on click.appcast.io and include “Applicant Accommodation” within the subject line with your request and contact information.