Description & RequirementsWHO YOU'LL WORK WITHThe Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures (M&A) Practice advises clients holistically through the deal cycle, from M&A strategy to deal diligence and deal execution. We help clients build and realize their deal strategy and strengthen their internal M&A capability in the process. M&A programs build deep client relationships and are thus a top strategic priority for firm growth.
The M&A Specialist team accelerates and optimizes the work of Bain's generalist consulting teams. The M&A Specialist team plays a critical role in delivering Merger Integration and Divestitures programs by helping case teams mobilize quickly at case transition points - delivering tailored advisory services, a concierge-desk approach to the full technology / IP / expertise ecosystem, and hands-on client work in key workstreams. The M&A Specialist team delivers the strongest set of outcomes when its expertise is hands-on, in-time zone, and embedded early in case setup and initial client workshops. The M&A Specialist team also plays a key role in commercial proposals by representing the depths of Bain's M&A expertise on critical deal components.
You will work closely with:
- Case teams, Senior Managers, Associate Partners, and Partners across North America
- Merger Integration, Divestitures, and adjacent solution (Corporate Due Diligence, M&A Strategy, M&A Capability, People & Org) leaders and knowledge teams
- The M&A dedicated Bain Capability Network (BCN) teamlet based in India, executing diagnostic analysis
- The M&A Benchmarking COE teamlet based in India, support synergy sizing analysis
- Product teams supporting Merger Integration and Divestitures programs including Signal, Aster, Value Calculator
WHERE YOU'LL FIT WITHIN THE TEAMThe M&A Specialist role has deep experience with recurring components of M&A work, along with up-to-date knowledge of the evolving technologies and IP required for a best-practice M&A program. The M&A Specialist attaches to a generalist case team at defined transition points to shape workstreams, recommend and launch tooling specific to the client's needs, and efficiently own specific, repeated workstreams.
The M&A Specialist program has been piloted in the North America market with 100% NPS across 6 initial M&A programs. The M&A Specialist role is expected to:
- Support 6 to 8 case teams in 2027
- Maintain an 80+ NPS from Senior Managers, Associate Partners and OVPs
- Capture front-line case innovation and best practices for codification back into the M&A core IP and tooling
- The M&A Specialist role sits within Expert Consulting Delivery - Specialist Consulting Track (Grade 8) and serves case teams across North America.
- This role combines senior client delivery capabilities with strong collaborative teaming skills in a high-visibility, high-impact position.
WHAT YOU'LL DOServe M&A clients and case teams as the M&A Specialist (60%)- You will serve as the sole Specialist attached to 1-2 concurrent M&A programs, across industries. Attachment to a program is expected to average 4 to 8 weeks, with multiple periods of attachment possible within the same program.
- You will join the generalist consulting team as an expert on our IP, technology, and best practices. You will serve as the team's Advisor on approach, best practices, and resources.
- You will own a set of workstreams and deliverables as a member of the case team, to be agreed upon at the start of the M&A Specialist staffing. These workstreams are always integrated into the full work of the case team and can include:
- Rapid mobilization of the client IMO team and/or case team workstreams
- Design and host standard M&A workshops (e.g., IMO Launch, Wall Walk)
- Launch the org design process with client leadership and associated technology (e.g., Aster, Signal)
- Launch the bottom-up value planning process
- Own the cultural integration and communications workstreams
- Support for multi-case program management (e.g., internal PMO, extended support for a multi-region client PMO)
- Direct and coordinate multiple solution (e.g., Merger Integration, Divestitures, Corporate Due Diligence), product (e.g., Signal, Aster, Coro), and BCN team members whose work may overlap with your workstreams
- Structure and lead 1-2 weekly answer sessions with case/client leadership teams
- Prepare Managers, Senior Managers, and Partners to present findings to client executives
- At times, directly present analysis and recommendations to senior client stakeholders
- Partner across solutions (People and Organization, Performance Improvement, Commercial Excellence, Enterprise Technology, etc.) as necessary to fulfill workstream requirements
- As in-person collaboration is essential to deliver high quality case work, travel with the case team two to three days per week (as needed, on average) to co-locate with the client and case teams
Support innovation in M&A casework (30%)- As the M&A solutions pilot new approaches or technology, provide 'hyper-care' support to the initial case teams. This may include:
- Closely monitoring the progression of the pilot, collecting lessons learned and codifying the new approach
- Directly owning a workstream in the pilot related to an area of M&A Specialist expertise
- Playing the role of a 'super-user' for a technology pilot, testing the end user experience and providing detailed feedback to the technology team on user requirements
- Provide structured input to the M&A solution teams on innovation ideas
Strengthen M&A Intellectual Property (10%)- Refresh and evolve M&A solution IP, 'how to' guides, commercial materials, and AI tools as your workstream engages with these materials
- Ensure alignment with global M&A best practices and consistency in delivery standards
What You'll Deliver- High-quality integrated deliverables through deep engagement with the client and case team
- Effective orchestration of the resources, people, tools, and IP required to deliver best in class M&A work to our client teams
- Continuous evolution of M&A IP, technology/tooling, and delivery standards
ABOUT YOUExperience- 12-15+ years of professional experience, with significant leadership responsibility, including:
- 5+ years leading large, complex teams or functions within a global, matrixed organization
- Workforce planning, budgeting, and/or site-level operational oversight
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across functions and geographies
- Operating in high-performance, professional services, consulting, or GBS environments preferred
Preferred Experience - Operating in a Corporate Development or M&A
Education- Bachelor's degree required
- Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred
Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesRequired - Enterprise mindset with strong commercial and financial acumen
- Ability to translate strategy into actionable plans
- Strong stakeholder management and influence skills
- Strong collaboration skills with diverse and global team members
- Strong communication skills with the ability to align diverse audiences
- Ability to balance personal responsibilities with clarity and discipline
U.S. COMPENSATION INFORMATIONCompensation for this role includes base salary, annual discretionary performance bonus, 401(k) plan with an annual employer contribution based on years of service and Bain's best in class benefits package (details listed below).
Some local governments in the United States require a good-faith, reasonable salary range to be included in job postings for open roles. The estimated annualized compensation for this role is as follows:
- In all U.S. states, the good-faith, reasonable annualized full-time salary range for this role is between $128,000 - $171,000
- Annual discretionary performance bonus
- This role may also be eligible for other elements of discretionary compensation
