At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead large-scale separation projects and engage with C-suite stakeholders.
- Company: Join a leading global consulting firm focused on M&A and transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Drive impactful separations in high-stakes transactions and shape the future of businesses.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in M&A, separation planning, and stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
We are seeking a highly experienced Separation Management Office (SMO) Lead to join our newly established Transformation Office within the Strategy & Consulting division. This individual sits at the intersection of M&A and Enterprise Transformation, driving successful separations across some of the largest global transactions.
The SMO Lead will possess a deep understanding of the full M&A lifecycle and will engage directly with C-suite and Board‑level stakeholders on both buy‑side and sell‑side mandates. They will bring hands‑on experience across diligence, separation planning, TSA drafting and negotiation, Day 1 and Day 100 readiness, and full SMO delivery leadership. Platform experience in SAP, Oracle and/or Workday is desirable.
Key Responsibilities
- Separation Management Office Leadership
- Lead the SMO on large‑scale transactions, providing end‑to‑end programme governance across all separation workstreams.
- Own integrated planning, critical path management, and interdependency tracking across Technology, Data, Finance, HR, Legal, and Commercial workstreams.
- Define and manage programme tooling and establish reporting cadences for senior stakeholders.
- Own the RAID log, escalation protocols, and risk management framework throughout the separation lifecycle.
- Lead Value Management and Definition activities, including benefits realisation tracking and value leakage prevention.
- Deal Lead (Small to Mid‑Size Transactions)
- Carry end‑to‑end accountability for the successful separation of a divesting entity, from signing through to TSA exit.
- Act as the primary client relationship owner, maintaining senior‑level trust across both RemainCo and NewCo leadership.
- Day 1 & Day 100 Readiness
- Lead cut‑over planning, go/no‑go governance, and Day 1 readiness tracking across all workstreams.
- Define and execute the post‑close stabilisation plan through to steady‑state operations.
- Manage hypercare period governance and issue resolution to ensure continuity of business operations.
- Separation Strategy & Budget
- Work with senior leaders on both buy and sell side to develop and cost separation approach options, including assessment of technical architecture alternatives.
- Identify and quantify stranded costs for RemainCo; develop and track the stranded cost elimination plan.
- Support the development of auditable carve‑out P&Ls and standalone cost models for diligence and separation budgeting purposes.
- Separation Planning
- Develop the integrated separation plan across all aspects of the deal, with particular specialism in:
- Technology: application landscape separation, infrastructure decommission, network and identity management.
- Data: data boundary definition, data migration planning and execution, data cleansing and quality.
- Business Readiness: operational cut‑over, change management, and employee communications.
- Lead the development of Technology and Data Transition Service Agreements (TSAs).
- Provide knowledgeable advice on negotiation approach, cost modelling, and exit planning for TSA workstreams.
- Manage TSA governance post‑close, tracking delivery obligations and exit milestones.
- Contribute to the development of the M&A practice through creation of offerings, playbooks, tools, and accelerators.
- Support origination and proposal development, including responding to RFPs and shaping new opportunities.
- Build and maintain senior client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor beyond the immediate transaction.
- Mentor and develop junior team members, contributing to a high‑performance separation delivery community.
- Lead commercial and/or technical diligence to support clients in the assessment of a target asset.
- Provide rapid assessment of separation complexity, TSA requirements, and standalone cost estimates to inform deal valuation.
Stakeholder Landscape
- C‑suite and Board: CDIO, CFO, CEO, on both RemainCo and NewCo sides.
- PE Sponsors: reporting into deal teams, supporting sponsor‑level decision‑making.
- Third‑Party Vendors & System Integrators: managing delivery obligations during separation.
- Functional Workstream Leads: Technology, Finance, HR, Legal, Procurement, Commercial.
Experience & Skills
- Significant experience leading separation programmes as an SMO or IMO Lead on large‑scale M&A transactions.
- Demonstrable experience across the full deal lifecycle: diligence, separation planning, TSA management, Day 1 readiness, and post‑close stabilisation.
- Deep expertise in technology and data separation, including network, application, and identity workstreams.
- Track record of managing stranded costs, carve‑out financials, and standalone cost modelling.
- Strong executive presence with the ability to advise and influence C‑suite stakeholders.
- Experience on both buy‑side and sell‑side mandates across corporate and PE‑backed transactions.
Highly Desirable
- Platform experience in one or more of: SAP S/4HANA, SAP ECC, Oracle ERP, Workday.
- Experience across deal types including spin‑offs, JV dissolutions, partial divestments, and IPO carve‑out readiness.
- Exposure to cyber and network separation.
- Experience working with PE sponsors (e.g. Blackstone, KKR, HG Capital) or investment banks in a deal advisory capacity.
- Experience leading NewCo establishment activities, including legal entity design and contract novation.
Deal Types & Contexts
- Corporate divestitures and carve‑outs.
- Private equity‑backed separations and portfolio company transformation.
- Spin‑offs and demergers.
- Joint venture dissolutions.
- Partial divestments and asset sales.
- Dual‑track processes (IPO / trade sale).
- IPO carve‑out readiness.
About The Practice
Accenture's M&A & Transformation practice advises the world's leading organisations on their most complex and high‑stakes transactions. Our Transformation Office brings together deep M&A expertise with enterprise transformation capabilities - combining technology, data, finance, people, and operating model knowledge to deliver separations and integrations that create lasting value. We work with global corporates, sovereign wealth funds, and leading private equity sponsors across every major industry sector. Our team operates at the forefront of AI‑enabled transformation, bringing next‑generation tools and accelerators to bear on the most complex separation challenges.
Separation Management Office Lead in London employer: Accenture UK & Ireland
At Accenture, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Separation Management Office Lead role in London. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, while our commitment to employee growth ensures that you will have access to continuous learning opportunities and mentorship from industry leaders. With a focus on high-stakes transactions and cutting-edge technology, you'll be part of a team that not only drives impactful change but also values your contributions and supports your career aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Separation Management Office Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks who are already in roles you aspire to. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
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Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Understand their challenges and think about how your skills can help solve them. This shows you're not just interested in any job, but specifically in how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the real interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, what are you waiting for? Get that application in!
We think you need these skills to ace Separation Management Office Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Separation Management Office Lead role. Highlight your experience in M&A, separation planning, and stakeholder management. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in leading separation programmes and engaging with C-suite stakeholders.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your relevant experience in technology and data separation. Mention any platforms like SAP or Oracle you've worked with, as this will catch our eye!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you'll be able to keep track of your application status directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Accenture UK & Ireland
✨Know Your M&A Lifecycle
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the full M&A lifecycle. Brush up on key concepts like diligence, separation planning, and TSA management. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in real-world scenarios.
✨Engage with C-suite Insights
Since this role involves interacting with C-suite and Board-level stakeholders, prepare to discuss how you've successfully managed relationships at that level. Think of specific examples where your influence led to positive outcomes, and be ready to share them during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Familiarise yourself with platforms like SAP, Oracle, and Workday. If you have experience with these systems, be prepared to discuss how you've used them in past projects. This will highlight your technical proficiency and show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As an SMO Lead, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams through complex transactions, managed risks, and ensured successful separations. Highlight your ability to mentor junior team members and contribute to a high-performance culture.
