Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead large-scale separation projects and engage with C-suite stakeholders.
- Company: Join Accenture, a global leader in M&A and transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Drive impactful change in major global transactions and enhance your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in M&A, separation planning, and stakeholder management.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on innovation and well-being.
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 cutover 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 hyper-care 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 cutover, 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
The SMO Lead will operate across a complex stakeholder ecosystem, engaging regularly with:
- 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.
Qualification Experience & Skills
Essential
- 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
Candidates should ideally bring experience across one or more of the following transaction structures:
- 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.
Locations
London
Additional Information
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law. Job candidates will not be obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest as part of the hiring process. Accenture is committed to providing veteran employment opportunities to our service men and women.
About Accenture
We work with one shared purpose: to deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity. Every day, more than 775,000 of us help our stakeholders continuously reinvent. Together, we drive positive change and deliver value to our clients, partners, shareholders, communities, and each other. We believe that delivering value requires innovation, and innovation thrives in an inclusive and diverse environment. We actively foster a workplace free from bias, where everyone feels a sense of belonging and is respected and empowered to do their best work. At Accenture, we see well-being holistically, supporting our people’s physical, mental, and financial health. We also provide opportunities to keep skills relevant through certifications, learning, and diverse work experiences. We’re proud to be consistently recognized as one of the World’s Best Workplaces™. Join Accenture to work at the heart of change.
Separation Management Office Lead in London employer: WeAreTechWomen
Contact Detail:
WeAreTechWomen Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Separation Management Office Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might have insights into the Separation Management Office roles. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the M&A lifecycle and separation strategies. Brush up on your knowledge of SAP, Oracle, and Workday, as these platforms are often key in discussions. Show them you’re not just familiar but passionate about the tools they use!
✨Tip Number 3
When you get that interview, don’t just talk about your experience—bring real examples! Share specific instances where you’ve led successful separations or managed complex projects. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can deliver results.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission in the Transformation Office.
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 the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at WeAreTechWomen
✨Know Your M&A Lifecycle
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the full M&A lifecycle. Brush up on your knowledge of 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 have practical insights to share.
✨Engage with C-Suite Scenarios
Prepare for discussions around engaging with C-suite and Board-level stakeholders. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully influenced senior leaders. This will demonstrate your executive presence and ability to build trust with high-level clients.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
If you have experience with platforms like SAP, Oracle, or Workday, be ready to talk about it. Highlight specific projects where you’ve applied this knowledge in separation management. This will set you apart as someone who can handle the technical aspects of the role.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
Anticipate questions about real-world challenges in separation management, such as managing stranded costs or navigating complex stakeholder landscapes. Prepare thoughtful responses that reflect your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.