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Ernst & Young

Manager; Transaction Strategy and Execution - Software Strategy Group (SSG)

Ernst & Young, Toronto, ON


At EY, you'll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we're counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

Key responsibilities

Our Managers work on teams that engage with clients on a variety of topics, ranging from diligence to strategy assignments:

Diligence
  • Product and technology diligence: SSG provides market-leading product and technology diligence of companies in the Software Economy, an "inside-out" assessment of product capabilities, product road map, software architecture, technical debt, hosting and deployment model, R&D organization, and software development processes, enabling investors to understand a software company's capabilities and ability to execute against its corporate strategy, while also identifying risks and opportunities.


Strategy
  • Software development optimization: We assess a company's software development organization for capacity, talent, and process, and provide actionable recommendations to improve productivity, timeliness, predictability, quality, and overall alignment with the corporate strategy. This assessment is conducted through site visits, interviews, reviewing data, hands-on evaluation, primary research, and benchmarking.
  • Technology strategy and roadmap: By studying clients' technology roadmaps and potential alternatives, as well as assessing cost, risk, and alignment with strategic objectives, we help companies identify and build a suitable technology strategy and architecture road map - sometimes building on internal efforts and sometimes on brand-new ideas. This type of engagement typically revolves around a potential re-platforming initiative or a major transformational effort, such as a substantial acquisition or a SaaS transformation.
  • Product strategy and roadmap: We examine a company's product roadmap and provide recommendations for improvement in product strategy and road map based on market and research, team capabilities, development cost and risk, and technology underpinnings. This type of engagement typically includes primary research on the competitive landscape and market greenspace.
  • It may also entail post-merger consolidation or rationalization of a product portfolio. Like other engagements, it leverages the combination of capabilities in understanding and assessing marketplaces and deep technical knowledge.


Skills and attributes for success
  • Leading and/or contributing to pre deal, post deal, value creation engagements with clients across all including private equity.
  • Working on client engagement teams executing Strategy and Transaction services which support key decision makers in developing and executing strategies for transactions
  • Work with engagement leadership to develop hypotheses, insights, and key findings critical to the engagement
  • Conducting in-depth interviews with key organizational stakeholders, industry experts and customers
  • Leading qualitative and quantitative analysis (e.g., R&D Spend analysis, feature functionality benchmarking, competitor analysis, organizational capabilities, technology capabilities) to support the formulation and validation of strategic recommendations
  • Maintaining relationships with client personnel at appropriate levels and other internal teams on the engagement
  • Managing workstreams and motivating teams with diverse skills and backgrounds
  • Developing, managing and mentoring junior team members
  • Contribute to people initiatives, recruiting, retaining and training current and future staff.


To qualify for the role, you must have
  • A bachelor's degree and at least three to five years of software-related work experience (strategy consulting work experience a plus)
  • A bachelor's degree in computer science is a plus
  • Experience of transactions, ideally in performing of Technology Due Diligence and/or strategic value creation assignments.
  • Ability to comment on technology aspects of transactions that are relevant and valued by clients and readers of Product and Technology Due Diligence reports
  • Program and project management expertise with demonstrable experience in managing and being responsible for the delivery of successful programs
  • Demonstrable experience or knowledge of structured methodologies and industry standards for Product Management, UI/UX design principles, Software Architecture, Software Development Life Cycle methods and the ability to provide insights based on experience
  • Ability to analyze and assess software design artifacts such as architecture diagrams, software manifests, and user experience flows
  • Proficient in the English language, including the ability to listen, understand, read and communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, in a professional environment
  • Report writing skills to convert valuable software-related insights into due diligence (DD) reports for consumption by stakeholders, ensuring clarity and actionable recommendations.
  • Excellent problem solving, project management, facilitation and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to make detailed assessments of industry, products, markets, competitors and customers to identify risks and opportunities
  • Effective organization and time management skills with ability to work under pressure and adhere to project deadlines
  • Flexible with working locations, the ability to learn quickly and leverage skills in new situations
  • A passion for software!

What we offer

At EY, our Total Rewards package supports our commitment to creating a leading people culture - built on high-performance teaming - where everyone can achieve their potential and contribute to building a better working world for our people, our clients and our communities. It's one of the many reasons we repeatedly win awards for being a great place to work.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. In addition, our Total Rewards package allows you to decide which benefits are right for you and which ones help you create a solid foundation for your future. Our Total Rewards package includes a comprehensive medical, prescription drug and dental coverage, a defined contribution pension plan, a great vacation policy plus firm paid days that allow you to enjoy longer long weekends throughout the year, statutory holidays and paid personal days (based on province of residence), and a range of exciting programs and benefits designed to support your physical, financial and social well-being. Plus, we offer:
  • Support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around
  • Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
  • The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that's right for you


Diversity and Inclusion at EY

Diversity and inclusiveness are at the heart of who we are and how we work. We're committed to fostering an environment where differences are valued, policies and practices are equitable, and our people feel a sense of belonging. We embrace diversity and are committed to combating systemic racism, advancing gender equity and women in leadership, advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, promoting our neuroinclusion and accessibility initiatives, and are dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) nationally as we strive towards reconciliation. Our diverse experiences, abilities, backgrounds, and perspectives make our people unique and help guide us. Because when people feel free to be their authentic selves at work, they bring their best and are empowered to build a better working world.

EY | Building a better working world

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.