Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions - Technology Integration (Arlington)

The Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions - Technology Integration is a senior executive responsible for leading the technology component of the firm’s merger and acquisition integration program. This role provides enterprise‑level leadership and accountability for integrating acquired firms into a centralized, standardized technology environment, including core systems, infrastructure, security, operating models, and support capabilities.

This leader owns end‑to‑end technology integration strategy and execution across multiple concurrent acquisitions, ensuring consistent outcomes, controlled risk posture, and timely realization of integration value. The role partners closely with Firm Leadership, M&A, Risk, Legal, Finance, and Business Executives, acting as the single accountable executive for technology integration outcomes.

Your day-to-day may include:

Enterprise Technology Integration Leadership

• Serve as the executive owner for technology integration across all firm acquisitions.

• Define and execute the technology integration strategy, aligned to the firm’s target operating model, growth strategy, and risk tolerance.

• Lead the convergence of acquired firms onto centralized, standardized core platforms, including applications, infrastructure, identity, security, data, collaboration, and end‑user services.

• Ensure integration outcomes prioritize stability, security, scalability, and long‑term operational efficiency, minimizing interim solutions and technical debt.

Leadership of the Technology Integration Team

• Lead a high‑performing, cross‑functional technology integration team, inclusive of architecture, infrastructure, applications, security, operations, and delivery leaders.

• Provide clear direction, accountability, and prioritization across multiple integration initiatives operating in parallel.

• Establish a culture of disciplined execution, outcome‑based delivery, and risk‑aware decision making.

Integration Program Execution & Governance

• Own the technology integration roadmap, sequencing integrations across entities while managing inter‑dependencies, capacity constraints, and readiness criteria.

• Establish and enforce integration governance frameworks, including:

• Target‑state architecture and standards

• Readiness and cutover gates

• Exception and risk management processes

• Decision rights and escalation paths

• Develop repeatable playbooks and tools to accelerate integrations happening in parallel

• Ensure technology integration is audit‑ready, defensible, and compliant with security, regulatory, privacy, and contractual obligations.

• Provide executive‑level reporting on status, risks, dependencies, and value realization.

Centralization & Operating Model Transformation

• Lead the transition from decentralized, acquisition‑specific technology environments to a unified enterprise operating model.

• Oversee consolidation of:

• Core business applications

• Infrastructure and hosting platforms

• Identity and access management

• Security tooling and controls

• Service management and support models

• Define and implement sustainable post‑integration operating models for technology governance, funding, delivery, and support.

Executive & Stakeholder Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to Executive Leadership on integration risks, tradeoffs, sequencing, and investment decisions.

• Partner closely with M&A leadership during due diligence, shaping technology integration assumptions, cost models, and timelines.

• Collaborate with Risk, Legal, HR, Finance, and Control functions to align integration execution with firm‑wide requirements.

• Partner closely with all stakeholders including the firms we are acquiring to ensure tight alignment.

• Represent technology integration outcomes confidently to Boards, Steering Committees, and Senior Leadership forums.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience with at least 5 of those years leading M&A integrations.

• Proven experience operating at Managing Director / Executive Director / VP+ level in a complex enterprise environment.

• Extensive experience leading large‑scale technology integrations resulting from mergers and acquisitions with many running in parallel.

• Demonstrated success integrating multiple entities into centralized core systems and shared services.

• Strong command of technology operating models, enterprise architecture, security, and service delivery.

• Executive presence with the ability to influence at the C‑suite and Board level.

• Deep experience managing risk, compliance, and regulatory considerations within technology integration.

• Ability to travel on short notice and work additional hours as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or related field.

• Background in professional services, financial services, or other regulated industries.

• Experience operating within global or multi‑entity firms.

• Familiarity with transitional service agreements (TSAs) and complex separation/integration scenarios.

The base salary range for this position is between $243,800 and $438,000. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job‑related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

Benefits

• Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.

• Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave. Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.

  Additional Details:

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