(Senior) Director (m/f/d), Private Equity Performance Improvement - Financial Services

About Alvarez & Marsal

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a global consulting firm with entrepreneurial, action and results‑oriented professionals. We take a hands‑on approach to solving our clients' problems and assisting them in reaching their potential. Our culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who positively impact our clients and shape our industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M's core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are why our people love working at A&M.

The Team

A&M’s Private Equity Performance Improvement (PEPI) practice delivers results across the full investment lifecycle for private equity investors and their portfolio companies. Our work spans operational and commercial due diligence, post‑deal value creation, transformation, and post‑merger integration. Leveraging our proprietary Rapid Results Program, we quickly identify performance gaps and implement practical solutions that drive measurable impact.

We are seeking an experienced (Senior) Director (m/f/d) to join our growing PEPI team, with a focus on the Financial Services sector across Europe.

Based in Germany, this is a leadership role for a transformation specialist with a strong track record in both deal advisory and hands‑on value creation. You will play a key role in building A&M’s PEPI Financial Services offering, leading high‑impact engagements, and driving business development across the private equity ecosystem.

How You Will Contribute

• Contribute to business development, including client relationship management, pitch development, and converting diagnostics into implementation engagements.
• Build and maintain senior stakeholder relationships, influencing at C‑suite and board level.
• Build and lead high‑performing teams, actively developing talent through coaching and mentorship while fostering a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture.
• Lead post‑merger integration (PMI), carve‑outs, and complex transformation programmes within Financial Services organisations.
• Perform rapid diagnostics to assess business performance, identifying operational inefficiencies and transformation opportunities.
• Develop and execute value creation and transformation plans, with clear linkage to EBITDA growth, cost reduction, revenue enhancement, and working capital improvement.
• Lead and deliver commercial and operational due diligence workstreams, including structuring analyses, conducting expert interviews, and identifying transaction risks and value creation opportunities.
• Manage cross‑functional teams and multiple workstreams, collaborating with other diligence streams (e.g., ITDD, FDD, Tax) to deliver integrated outcomes.
• Design and implement 100‑day plans, delivering early impact, clear accountability, and alignment on strategic priorities.
• Drive short‑term cash and liquidity improvements while enabling longer‑term strategic transformation.
• Develop and implement target operating models to enhance business performance.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering performance improvement and transformation programmes, ideally within a top‑tier consultancy, specialist advisory firm, or Big 4 environment.
• Strong background in the Financial Services sector (e.g., banking, insurance, payments, fintech, asset servicing).
• Proven track record of leading pre‑ and post‑deal engagements for private equity clients, with demonstrated delivery of measurable results.
• Deep understanding of the private equity lifecycle, with experience working with PE‑backed portfolio companies.
• Expertise in operational improvement, cost reduction, and value creation planning, including carve‑outs and integration.
• Strong analytical capabilities, including financial modelling, performance diagnostics, and P&L analysis.
• Experience setting up and managing PMO structures, KPIs, and performance tracking frameworks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior executives.
• Hands‑on, results‑oriented leadership style with a pragmatic and entrepreneurial mindset.

Your journey at A&M

We recognize that our people are the driving force behind our success, which is why we prioritize an employee experience that fosters each person’s unique professional and personal development. Our robust performance development process promotes continuous learning, rewards your contributions, and fosters a culture of meritocracy. With top‑notch training and on‑the‑job learning opportunities, you can acquire new skills and advance your career.

We prioritize your well‑being, providing benefits and resources to support you on your personal journey. Our people consistently highlight the growth opportunities, our unique, entrepreneurial culture, and the fun we have together as their favorite aspects of working at A&M. The possibilities are endless for high‑performing and passionate professionals.