The M&A Project Manager oversees Kelso Industries' acquisition lifecycle, guiding transactions from target identification and due diligence through closing and integration. This position acts as the primary liaison among legal, finance, operations, HR, IT, and executive stakeholders to ensure deals remain on track, key milestones are achieved, risks are addressed promptly, and leadership receives consistent visibility into transaction progress.

The successful candidate is a highly organized professional with outstanding project management, communication, and analytical capabilities who can effectively manage multiple acquisitions in a fast-paced environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead acquisition projects from initial assessment and diligence through closing and post-acquisition integration.
• Create, maintain, and update transaction workplans, schedules, milestone trackers, and action-item lists.
• Facilitate due diligence activities across multiple departments, including Legal, Finance, HR, IT, Operations, Risk Management, Insurance, Payroll, and Benefits.
• Monitor diligence requests, open items, and closing requirements while ensuring timely follow-up from both internal teams and external partners.
• Develop and deliver transaction updates, executive summaries, dashboard reporting, and pipeline reviews for leadership.
• Manage virtual data rooms and transaction documentation to ensure information is accurate, organized, and readily available.
• Coordinate meetings, management presentations, diligence discussions, and closing-related activities.
• Proactively identify project risks, dependencies, and potential delays, escalating concerns as needed to maintain deal timelines.
• Assist with integration planning and track completion of post-close initiatives.
• Help enhance Kelso's M&A framework by improving processes, templates, reporting tools, and best-practice playbooks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• 3-7 years of experience in project management, transaction coordination, corporate development, consulting, investment banking support, private equity operations, legal operations, or a similarly complex cross-functional environment.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage complex projects from initiation through completion.
• Proven success handling multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience preparing executive-level reporting, presentations, and performance dashboards.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, external advisors, and cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, corporate development initiatives, or private equity-backed organizations.
• Hands-on experience with project management software such as Monday.com, Smartsheet, Asana, Jira, or Microsoft Project.
• Understanding of due diligence workflows and virtual data room management.
• Experience with Salesforce or other CRM and deal pipeline management platforms.
• Working knowledge of financial statements, valuation concepts, and common transaction terminology.