Director, Professional Services - Stout Strategy (Chicago)

At Stout, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations in all we do – we call it Relentless Excellence . Both our client service and culture are second to none, stemming from our firmwide embrace of our core values: Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and being Great communicators. Sound like a place you can grow and succeed? Read on to learn more about an exciting opportunity to join our team.Impact You’ll MakeStout is looking for Directors to support our Business & Professional Services practice and join our growing firm. At Stout, expectations are high but empowering. You will lead teams in delivering value to our clients. You will have direct access to Stout’s leadership and key client decision makers. Your ideas will be heard, and your thoughts valued as we help clients grow and drive strategic advantage. Quite simply, you will get the developmental benefits of big firm clients with the high touch of a boutique culture.What You’ll DoDirectors are integral to our success. You will be responsible for developing more junior team members on projects and empowering the leadership team’s account strategies. You will also be a key driver in structuring and delivering strong work to our exclusive list of corporate clients and private equity firms, including a mix of mega-funds and middle market investment groups. You will directly support our client’s investment decisions via a mix of due diligence initiatives and growth strategy engagements. More specifically, you will:Drive Private Equity and/or M&A-related project processes from start-to-finish ensuring output meets Stout’s standards for quality of insight and client impactSupport the analysis of marketplace trends to identify opportunities, support the development of investment theses, and to inform decision-making for Stout clients Develop thoughtful approaches, work plans, and frameworks to guide organizations with inorganic strategies (including buy-side and sell-side diligences)Manage the development of and/or validation of financial, commercial, and strategic assumptions for both corporate and financial buyersOversee and conduct original research, contact development, primary intelligence, and executive-level interviewing to develop unique insight regarding market dynamics and strategic decisionsOversee and support the development of best-in-class materials that exceed client expectations (in terms of research depth, analytical rigor, and visualization)Partner with clients on engagements by cultivating a collaborative environment and providing high-touch serviceDevelop mastery of Stout Strategy’s research, analytical approaches, and Private Equity expertise in key client industriesCoach and nurture junior staff and provide team members with developmental and fulfilling opportunities on projectsAct as a role model for junior staff by embodying Stout’s valuesWhat You BringBA or BS required with a clear track record of academic excellence in fields such as Economics, Business, Finance, or Data ScienceMaster’s degree in business, management, finance, or other relevant degree preferredSeven to ten years of prior experience in consulting and/or industry experience, including experience in providing commercial due diligence and other transaction-related services to private equity fund clientsAn aptitude for networking and executive-level interviewing, plus knowledge assessing a target company’s quality of earnings and cash flowsWell-honed business acumen and analytical skillsStrong communication, writing, and critical-thinking skillsWork ethic, dedicated, organized, detail-oriented, and accountableTime management and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environmentAdvanced skill set in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint and ExcelExperience with other analytics tools (e.g., Tableau, R, Python), including modeling and statistical data analysisAptitude and/or experience in financial modeling and statistical data analysisForeign language capabilities are a plusHow You’ll ThriveTake full ownership of engagements, driving clarity, accountability, and high-quality outcomes from kickoff through final deliveryLead with confidence in ambiguous, fast-paced environments, structuring complex problems into actionable insights for senior decision makersBuild trusted relationships with clients by combining strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and responsive, high-touch serviceDevelop and empower team members through proactive coaching, clear feedback, and meaningful delegation of responsibilityContribute to practice growth by supporting account expansion, proposal development, recruiting, and continuous improvement of research methodologiesWhy Stout?At Stout, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life.We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success. Our leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve.We invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals.Stout provides flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work-life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives.Learn more about our benefits and commitment to your success.The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.Stout is an Equal Employment Opportunity.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of valid job requirements, qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Stout is required by applicable state and local laws to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The range for this role considers several factors including but not limited to prior work and industry experience, education level, and unique skills. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.A reasonable estimate of the current range is $145,000.00 - $300,000.00 Annual. This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan. Information about benefits can be found here - Arlington, VA; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA; New York, NY; Boston, MAType: Full time