IT Carve-Out Programme Director (M&A Technology)

IT Carve-Out Programme Director (M&A Technology) Location: Paris (Hybrid - approximately 8 days onsite per month) Contract: Long-term Freelance Contract Rate: £1000 - £1200 per day About the Opportunity I'm partnering with a leading financial services organisation on a high-profile technology transformation programme supporting a major acquisition. We're looking for an experienced IT Carve-Out Programme Director to lead the technology workstream during the pre-closing phase of a large-scale acquisition and prepare the organisation for a successful post-closing IT separation. This is not a traditional Programme Manager role. We're looking for someone who has successfully led enterprise-scale IT carve-outs, technology separations, post-merger integrations or M&A technology programmes within complex, highly regulated environments. Working closely with executive sponsors, senior technology leaders and a leading external advisory partner, you'll provide leadership, governance and delivery oversight across the technology workstream, ensuring the organisation is fully prepared for Day 1 and the subsequent separation programme. Key Responsibilities • Lead the end-to-end IT workstream supporting a major acquisition. • Establish programme governance, reporting, RAID management and Steering Committees. • Act as the client-side lead for the external IT advisory partner, reviewing deliverables and challenging recommendations. • Coordinate senior stakeholders across Enterprise Architecture, Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Applications, Operations and Vendor Management. • Oversee development of the Target IT Operating Model, application and infrastructure separation strategy, dependency mapping and Day 1 readiness. • Lead Transition Service Agreement (TSA) planning, governance and exit strategy. • Ensure technology risks, operational resilience and regulatory requirements are addressed. • Prepare the organisation for immediate mobilisation of the post-closing implementation programme. What We're Looking For You'll have proven experience delivering complex technology transformation within an M&A environment and be comfortable operating at Executive Committee level. You'll ideally bring experience in: • Enterprise IT carve-outs and technology separations • Post-merger integration programmes • Transition Service Agreements (TSA) • Day 1 readiness planning • Executive governance and Steering Committees • Managing external advisory partners (Big 4 or equivalent) • Enterprise Architecture, Infrastructure, Cyber Security and Operating Models • Financial Services or another highly regulated industry Essential Requirements • Proven client-side leadership of large-scale IT carve-out or separation programmes. • Strong executive stakeholder management and governance experience. • Experience working alongside external consulting or advisory partners. • Excellent programme leadership, planning and risk management skills. • Fluent French and English. Please do send across an up to date CV to