Company: Kelly Services
Job Title: Director, M&A Separations & Execution
Location: Hybrid – Deerfield, IL
Duration: 6+ month contract
Reports To: VP, Strategy & Corporate Development

Position Summary

The Director, M&A Separations & Execution is responsible for planning and executing complex divestitures, carve-outs, asset sales, and other portfolio transactions from initial planning through Day 1 and post-close separation. This hands-on role translates transaction strategy into practical operating plans across business operations and corporate functions. Partnering closely with functional leaders—including Finance, Legal, IT, HR, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial—the Director shapes and operates the Separation Management Office (SMO). Responsibilities include defining separation requirements, interim operating models, Transition Service Agreements (TSAs), Day 1 readiness, and delivering the intended post-close end state.

This individual contributor role works directly with the VP, Strategy & Corporate Development, facilitating cross-functional activities and managing deal governance to drive operational progress.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of divestitures, carve-outs, asset sales, and related portfolio transactions.
  

• Partner with global functional leads to identify separation requirements and translate transaction strategy into actionable operating plans.
  

• Establish and manage the Separation Management Office (SMO); develop and maintain master plans, issue logs, and critical deliverables.
  

• Design, negotiate, and oversee Transition Service Agreements (TSAs) and interim operating models.
  

• Ensure Day 1 readiness and drive post-close separation activities toward intended outcomes.
  

• Facilitate cross-functional meetings, workshops, and communication with business leaders and third-party advisors.
  

• Manage operational risk and dependencies across functions, jurisdictions, and time zones.
  

• Develop executive-level materials and reports to communicate progress, risks, and recommendations.
  

• Execute hands-on work including analysis, documentation, and planning required to move transactions forward.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, engineering, operations, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
  

• Five or more years’ direct carve-out, divestiture, separation, or transaction execution experience with operational responsibility.
  

• Experience in medical devices, MedTech, healthcare, or highly regulated global industries.
  

• Significant professional experience in M&A, Separation Management, business operations, transformation, or related disciplines.
  

• Demonstrated sell-side M&A experience, ideally involving complex businesses, carve-outs, or asset sales.
  

• Experience across all transaction phases: pre-sign planning, sign-to-close execution, Day 1 readiness, and post-close separation.
  

• Track record of developing and executing separation plans across multiple functions.
  

• Proven expertise in developing/managing TSAs—including governance and exit planning.
  

• Experience designing interim operating models linked to separations.
  

• Strong operational background with proven ability to assess impacts on processes, systems, people, supply chains, and business continuity.
  

• Effectiveness working across global, matrixed organizations, jurisdictions, and time zones.
  

• Leadership of complex cross-functional programs; ability to influence senior stakeholders without formal authority.
  

• Strong financial, commercial, analytical, and problem-solving skills; comfort with ambiguity.
  

• Exceptional written and verbal communication, including executive-level presentations.
  

• Demonstrated hands-on execution, including development of analyses, plans, materials, logs, and documentation.

Preferred:

• Background in Big Four deal practice, strategy consulting, corporate development, private equity, or transaction-intensive environments.
  

• Experience with transactions involving manufacturing, supply chain, regulated products, or complex international operations.
  

• Experience working directly with buyers, sellers, investment bankers, counsel, and advisors.

Core Capabilities

• Separation Management Office
  

• Carve-out and separation execution
  

• Sell-side M&A
  

• Operational due diligence
  

• Day 1 readiness and cutover
  

• TSA development, governance, and exit
  

• Interim operating-model design
  

• Cross-functional program leadership
  

• Operational risk management
  

• Executive communication and influence
  

• Global business operations
  

• Structured problem solving
  

• Hands-on execution

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