Ref: #75190IS Lead, M&A Acquisition IntegrationContract | Immediate Start | Outside IR35Location: Remote Candidate Location: UK / EU candidates only Travel: European travel required as neededWe are seeking an experienced IS Lead / Senior Programme Manager to lead the planning and delivery of complex M&A acquisition integration programmes. The role will translate acquisition objectives and due diligence findings into a controlled integration roadmap covering Day 1, transition, stabilisation and target-state integration. You will work across Technology, Finance, HR, Procurement, Legal, Security, Data and Operations, coordinating workstreams, dependencies and senior stakeholders while remaining hands-on with delivery. Key Responsibilities• Lead end-to-end M&A integration planning, mobilisation and delivery.
- Develop and manage the integrated programme plan, milestones, dependencies, risks, issues and actions.
- Translate due diligence findings and deal commitments into practical delivery plans.
- Lead Day 1 readiness, cutover, hypercare and stabilisation.
- Coordinate application, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data, ERP and business workstreams.
- Define technology integration strategies covering retain, integrate, migrate, replace or retire decisions.
- Manage Transitional Service Agreements (TSAs), suppliers and third-party dependencies.
- Establish data migration, cleansing, reconciliation and business sign-off processes.
- Provide executive governance, reporting and escalation.
- Ensure business continuity throughout integration.
- Apply and continuously improve the M&A Integration Playbook.
- Identify opportunities to use automation and AI to improve delivery, reduce risk and accelerate integration.Experience Required• Significant experience leading M&A, acquisition integration, merger, divestiture or carve-out programmes.
- Strong hands-on programme management experience across governance, planning, risk, budget and dependencies.
- Proven experience delivering Day 1 readiness, cutover and stabilisation.
- Experience coordinating business, technology, application and data workstreams.
- Strong senior stakeholder and executive management experience.
- Experience managing suppliers, implementation partners and acquired organisations.
- Practical understanding of AI, automation and digital tools within programme delivery.
- Strong communication, analytical, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
- Relevant programme management certification or equivalent experience.Desirable• Experience within technology, telecommunications or other complex international environments.
- ERP, HCM, enterprise data or service-management integration experience.
- TSA and seller-separation experience.
- Experience across both acquisition integration and carve-out programmes.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Copilot, Power Platform or Microsoft Fabric.
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