Senior Associate, Strategic Finance

Team Description:

The Firm's proprietary operations team, Cerberus Operations and Advisory Company (COAC), employs world-class operating executives to support Cerberus' investment teams in the following areas: sourcing opportunities, conducting highly informed due diligence, taking interim management roles, monitoring the performance of investments and assisting in the planning and implementation of operational improvement initiatives at Cerberus' portfolio companies.

We are currently looking to add a strong Associate to our COAC Finance Practice. The COAC Finance Practice partners with investment teams across all investment strategies, portfolio company management teams, and board of directors to provide a wide range of strategic, value additive financial and operational support. This includes, but is not limited to, comprehensive investment due diligence, acquisition onboarding and integration, strategic planning, financial reporting and operations, and operational initiative execution. As a key member of this team, you will have the opportunity to deliver a unique blend of financial and operational support and advice across the entire investment spectrum.

Role & Responsibilities:

Pre-Acquisition

• Lead financial and operational due diligence processes across all Cerberus investment strategies to validate financial, strategic, commercial, and operational assumptions, including run-rate earnings, cash flows, liquidity requirements and exposures.
• Evaluate the operational capabilities of target company's Finance, Accounting, Treasury and Tax functions and propose a plan to institutionalize or "stand-up" the organization as needed.
• Partner with the investment team to perform discrete financial and business analysis, appropriately incorporate diligence findings in the underwriting model and synthesize diligence findings into presentation materials for investment committee, co-investors, lenders, and other stakeholders.
• Analyze, review, and negotiate transaction documents including key financial and operational provisions within purchase agreements and transitional service agreements.
• Collaborate with the investment team to obtain third-party debt financing for prospective acquisitions including, but not limited to, financial covenant negotiations to be included in the credit agreements.

Post-Acquisition

• Develop and lead the Finance related first one hundred-day initiatives ("F-100") including, but not limited to, (i) day one post-close readiness; (ii) transaction closing statement preparation; (iii) opening balance sheet and purchase accounting preparation (iv) implementation of requisite financial and operational reporting; v) implementation of appropriate corporate governance structure over financial operations.
• Develop financial reporting capabilities including, but not limited to (i) dynamic business performance and liquidity models, (ii) daily and 13 week cash flow projections, (iii) key performance indicators, (iv) business segment and product performance, (v) synergy realization, and (vi) covenant sensitivities. Spearhead strategic planning and develop "bottoms up" annual operating plans linked to key value drivers and operational initiatives.
• Develop and implement the requisite operational capabilities where they do not exist and assume interim portfolio company functional or leadership roles (as required). Refine and validate the value creation plan defined during diligence with all stakeholders and ensure timely execution of underlying initiatives.
• Drive other strategic financial and operational improvements that underscore the investment thesis and value creation by partnering with management, other members of operating platform and the investment teams.

Business Knowledge / Technical Skills:

• 6-8 years of experience as a top performer at an upper tier transaction / financial advisory, corporate finance, restructuring or strategic finance firm.
• Highly skilled in all relevant aspects of financial operations, M&A and business transformation including analyzing (i) business performance, (ii) historical and projected financial results with an emphasis on earnings and free cash flow, (iii) operational trends, capabilities and strategy and (iv) strategic finance and value creation.
• Extensive experience with (i) financial modeling, reporting and KPI's, (ii) budgeting and planning, (iii) liquidity and working capital management, (iv) business strategy and value creation and (v) all other aspects of foundational and strategic operational finance.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint including advanced formulas and financial modeling abilities. Familiarity with advanced data analytics techniques and tools (Alteryx, Tableau, PowerBI, etc.) and ERP systems are a plus.

Other Qualifications:

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple, structured manner
• Excellent project management and prioritization; can proactively identify and quickly resolve critical issues in very complex, high-risk situations
• Exceptional analytics and problem-solving, coupled with an unwavering attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of building relationships founded in trust and mutual respect with colleagues, management teams, and third parties
• Dedicated team player who works well in a collaborative and inclusive environment; willing to hear alternative points of view, critically evaluate, and incorporate as appropriate to improve the quality and depth of deliverables
• Confident in his/her own abilities and talent but without arrogance or pretense; appreciates that the success of others ultimately translates to individual and group success
• High energy and a positive, decisive, "get the job done" attitude
• Entrepreneurial, flexible, and nimble, with an appetite for diving into new and unfamiliar situations; self-motivated to drive continuous improvement
• Intellectually curious; excited about the opportunity to work across industries, investment platforms, and transaction types

Education:

• BA or BS in Finance and/or Accounting with an excellent academic record. MBA preferred.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to travel ~50%
• US work authorization without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future

The base salary for this position is expected to be between $140,000 and $180,000. The base salary offered to the chosen candidate will be commensurate with a candidate's relevant experience and other qualifications for the position, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and a robust benefits package.

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