Senior Manager, CFO Advisory (Transaction Support)

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.

Stout's Accounting & Reporting Advisory practice is expanding its Transaction Execution capabilities within the CFO Services group. We are seeking a Senior Manager to support complex buy-side and sell-side transactions, with a focus on carve-outs, separations, integrations, and post-close execution.

This role is well-suited for a professional with transaction advisory, management consulting, or relevant industry experience who enjoys working directly with clients to solve complex operational challenges. The Senior Manager will manage transaction workstreams, coordinate cross-functional teams, develop client deliverables, and support the execution of integration and separation initiatives.

Experience working with private equity-backed businesses, corporate divestitures, and post-close integration or separation initiatives is strongly preferred.

Impact You'll Make

• Manage transaction execution workstreams and support private equity sponsors and corporate clients throughout the transaction lifecycle, including buy-side and sell-side transactions.
• Support integration and separation initiatives from pre-close diligence and planning through post-close execution.
• Assess operational risks, business processes, organizational structures, and potential value creation opportunities associated with acquisitions and divestitures.
• Support the development of separation strategies, standalone operating models, transaction perimeter analyses, carve-out cost assessments, and Transition Services Agreements (TSAs).
• Help manage Integration Management Offices (IMOs) and Separation Management Offices (SMOs), including coordinating functional teams, tracking milestones, managing dependencies, and resolving execution issues.
• Prepare executive-ready presentations, analyses, and client deliverables that communicate findings, recommendations, and transaction considerations.
• Collaborate with Financial Due Diligence teams, investment bankers, transaction counsel, and other advisors to support successful transaction outcomes.

What You'll Do

Overall Transaction Support

• Support clients throughout the transaction lifecycle, from pre-close diligence and planning through post-close execution.
• Manage assigned workstreams related to acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, and integrations.
• Coordinate project activities, including execution planning, milestone tracking, issue resolution, and cross-functional communication.
• Develop analyses and recommendations to support transaction planning and execution.
• Work directly with client stakeholders to gather information, identify risks, and develop practical solutions.
• Prepare materials and status updates for client leadership teams and transaction stakeholders.

Integration and Synergy Analysis

• Manage operational due diligence workstreams, including assessments of a target company's current operations, with a focus on back-office functions and operating infrastructure.
• Support the development of integration strategies and priorities that align with the buyer's transaction objectives.
• Assist in defining Day 1 and future-state operating models for acquired businesses.
• Develop integration roadmaps outlining workstreams, milestones, dependencies, decision points, and accountable owners.
• Manage Day 1 and Day 100 readiness activities across functional workstreams.
• Support IMO governance, including status reporting, issue tracking, and coordination across functional teams.
• Perform synergy analysis and execution planning activities, including:Identifying and validating potential synergy opportunities with functional stakeholders.Quantifying potential cost savings and operational improvements.Assessing one-time costs and investments required to realize synergies.Developing implementation plans with defined activities, owners, and timelines.Tracking synergy realization and related implementation costs.

Separation and Carve-Out Execution

• Support the development of separation strategies, transaction perimeter definitions, and standalone operating models.
• Work with functional teams to identify operational, organizational, technology, contractual, and financial dependencies between the divested business and the parent company.
• Develop and maintain separation plans to address identified dependencies and execution risks.
• Assist in identifying and documenting TSAs and other interim operating arrangements required to support business continuity.
• Coordinate separation workstreams and support SMO governance, milestone tracking, and issue resolution.
• Work with Financial Due Diligence teams to support standalone cost analyses, including:Reviewing corporate cost allocations and shared service arrangements.Identifying incremental or stranded costs associated with separation.Developing standalone cost estimates for potential buyer scenarios.Supporting the incorporation of standalone cost findings into broader transaction analyses.Preparing supporting materials for management presentations and buyer diligence.
• Assist clients in responding to buyer diligence questions related to separation planning, standalone costs, TSAs, and operational readiness.
• Support post-close separation activities, including TSA management, dependency resolution, and standalone readiness.

Technology and Data

• Work with functional teams to understand enterprise systems, including ERP, HRIS, CRM, and other business platforms, and identify dependencies relevant to integration and separation planning.
• Coordinate with IT and systems teams to document technology considerations, transition requirements, and execution risks.
• Use project management, tracking, and analytics tools to manage workstreams, deliverables, and transaction milestones.
• Apply AI-enabled tools to support research, analysis, project management, and the development of client deliverables.

Team Leadership and Client Delivery

• Manage day-to-day execution of assigned workstreams and coordinate junior team members.
• Review analyses, presentations, and client deliverables to maintain accuracy, consistency, and quality.
• Serve as a primary day-to-day contact for client workstream leads and functional stakeholders.
• Support engagement leadership with project planning, resource coordination, and delivery management.
• Manage multiple workstreams or engagements while maintaining responsiveness and meeting deadlines.
• Mentor junior professionals and provide guidance on transaction execution methodologies and deliverables.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of transaction execution tools, templates, and best practices.
• Collaborate with Stout's Financial Due Diligence, Valuation, Tax, CFO Advisory, and other teams to support integrated client engagements.

What You Bring

• Experience supporting or managing separation, carve-out, integration, or transaction execution engagements.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:Separation due diligence and planningTSA development, management, or exit planningSMO or IMO governance and executionTransaction execution planningIntegration planning and synergy analysis
• Experience supporting cross-functional dependency mapping, transaction perimeter analysis, standalone cost assessments, or operating model development.
• Understanding of business operations, shared services, and functional processes across finance, IT, HR, legal, or other corporate functions.
• Experience working on private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, or corporate transformation initiatives.
• Ability to translate transaction findings and recommendations into actionable project plans and deliverables.
• Strong project management skills, including experience coordinating multiple workstreams, stakeholders, and deadlines.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with client stakeholders and prepare clear, executive-ready presentations.
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior professionals.
• Interest in applying AI-enabled tools to improve research, analysis, and client delivery.

Education and/or Training

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field required.
• 8+ years of relevant professional experience in transaction advisory, management consulting, corporate development, integration and separation, or related operational roles.
• Experience supporting M&A transactions, carve-outs, separations, or post-close integration initiatives.
• Experience working with private equity-backed businesses or corporate transaction teams preferred.
• A combination of consulting/advisory and industry operating experience is preferred.
• Experience across one or more industry verticals, such as healthcare, technology, industrials, consumer products, or business services, is a plus.
• MBA, CPA, CFA, or relevant project management certification preferred but not required.

How You'll Thrive

• Cultivate a positive, team-oriented approach that supports collaboration and shared success.
• Demonstrate accountability and reliability by consistently delivering high-quality work and meeting client expectations.
• Exhibit an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to excellence, what we call Relentless Excellence®, in all aspects of your work.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, transaction stakeholders, and colleagues.
• Communicate clearly and proactively to maintain alignment across workstreams and project teams.
• Bring intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and sound judgment to complex transaction matters.
• Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to develop practical recommendations and execution plans.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in fast-paced transaction environments.
• Take ownership of assigned responsibilities while recognizing when to engage senior team members.
• Contribute to the continued development of Stout's Transaction Execution and CFO Services capabilities.

Why 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.

https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits

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 $120,000.00 - $215,000.00 Annual. This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan. Information about benefits can be found here - https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits.