Vice President, M&A Integration

American Operator is looking to add a highly organized, execution-oriented Vice President, M&A Integration to join our Closings Team. This individual will lead acquisition closing and transition activities from the signing of a letter of intent through closing and the first 30 days of ownership.

The ideal candidate combines strong project management discipline with operational and financial acumen and thrives in a fast-paced environment requiring proactive problem-solving, clear communication, and consistent follow-through. This role will report to our General Counsel.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the closing and transition process for assigned acquisitions from post-LOI through the first 30 days following close.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, workstream trackers, risk logs, and closing checklists.
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams across legal, finance, technology, people operations, and business operations.
• Partner with sellers and advisors to complete diligence requests, closing deliverables, and transition activities on schedule.
• Lead status meetings, communicate progress, and escalate risks, delays, and decisions promptly.
• Translate financial and operational diligence findings into actionable transition plans.
• Monitor key transaction items, including working capital, debt payoffs, purchase price adjustments, and transition costs.
• Coordinate Day 1 readiness across employees, systems, processes, customers, vendors, and other critical functions.
• Support post-close stabilization and handoff to the portfolio performance team.
• Maintain organized deal documentation and improve closing playbooks, checklists, and templates.
• Manage closing mechanics, including funds flow, wire coordination, signature packets, and final closing deliverables.
• Track and secure required consents, licenses, permits, and contract assignments ahead of close.
• Lead or support on-site diligence, pre-close, and post-close visits (travel required).
• Use and help build out internal systems and automations (e.g., Asana, Google Workspace, Slack) to make the closing process repeatable and scalable.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50–75% of the time, based on business needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in project management, M&A transactions, integration or transition management, operational consulting, or a related role.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives under tight deadlines.
• Experience supporting acquisitions from post-LOI through closing and post-close transition.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and consistent follow-through.
• Financial and operational acumen, including comfort reviewing financial statements, working capital schedules, and business performance metrics.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to create structure in ambiguous, rapidly changing situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build trust and work effectively with executives, sellers, advisors, and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with project management platforms such as Asana.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 50% of the time.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience within private equity, a holding company, an acquisitive operating business, transaction advisory, or M&A integration.
• Familiarity with lower-middle-market and founder- or family-owned businesses.
• Experience coordinating Day 1 readiness across multiple functional areas.
• Experience developing scalable transaction processes, playbooks, and templates.
• Advanced degree or relevant project management certification.
• High ownership, sound judgment, and a bias toward action.
• Calm, collaborative, and solution-oriented approach under pressure.

COMPENSATION

The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus and equity. Please note that compensation is determined based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, education, skills, and other qualifications specific to the role.

$160K - $220K

BENEFITS

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a company-matched 401(k), unlimited PTO, paid holidays, and paid parental leave.

LOCATION & TRAVEL

Candidates based in Austin, New York City, or the surrounding areas will be expected to commute to and work from our local office. Candidates outside of these regions may work remotely. Periodic travel to both Austin and New York City will be required regardless of location.

ABOUT THE TEAM

American Operator exists because we believe the American Dream is worth protecting, and that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. To do this well, we need a team that reflects the real world: operators, builders, investors, and problem-solvers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

MISSION-DRIVEN

Every company claims to be mission-driven, but our mission is simple, tangible, and urgent: preserve the legacy of America’s small businesses and create more pathways to meaningful ownership.

We partner with operators who want to step into leadership, take responsibility for great companies, and continue the work that founders spent decades building. When we succeed, communities keep their employers, families keep their livelihoods, and operators get the chance to build wealth through real ownership.

We work hard because we know what’s at stake: generational businesses that deserve to thrive, and talented operators who deserve the chance to lead them. And while we measure our success in deals closed and businesses grown, the real reward is seeing these companies continue to serve their people and their towns, stronger than before.

Where else do you get the opportunity to help someone become a CEO, preserve a founder’s life’s work, and strengthen a community, all in the same job? That’s what makes our work both serious and incredibly fulfilling.