Embarc Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Imagine being part of an organization that challenges and inspires you to do your best work, where you're encouraged to refine your expertise, expand your capabilities, and contribute meaningfully from day one. At Embarc Advisors, we prioritize professional growth, value innovative thinking, and recognize the impact of each team member. Join us, and be part of a firm where your potential is cultivated and your achievements are genuinely rewarded.

About Embarc Advisors

Founded by a former Goldman Sachs investment banker and McKinsey & Co. consultant, Embarc Advisors was built to challenge the traditional extremes of finance careers. We offer a different path, a high-performance and high-learning environment in a human-centered environment. Our firm delivers best-in-class advice across M&A, capital raising, outsourced corporate development, and strategic CFO services, supporting clients through every stage of the company lifecycle.

We've built a team of corporate finance professionals with backgrounds in investment banking, private equity, consulting, strategic finance, and investment management, individuals who thrive on challenge, continuous improvement, and delivering results. We've helped clients close complex M&A transactions, raise capital from early-stage seed to $100M+ growth rounds, and scale profitably as their long-term CFO partners.

At Embarc, we see ourselves as an elite sports team, united by trust, driven by shared purpose, and anchored in values like Kaizen, excellence, and perseverance. Our internal operating system (EOS) brings structure, accountability, and alignment to how we execute and grow. This mindset and system allow us to attract ambitious professionals and purpose-driven clients alike-those ready to do the real work and unlock meaningful value.

At Embarc, we offer something different and compelling: the opportunity to build a sustainable, values-aligned career in finance, where you grow fast, contribute meaningfully, and stay in the game for the long haul.

Embarc Intro Deck here: https://docsend.com/view/bej7d89ncu2mma4m

Role Overview

We are in search of a dynamic Corporate Development leader!

Operating as a thought partner and trusted advisor, the Director of Corporate Development will provide clients with deep expertise and guidance across a full spectrum of corporate finance matters.

Playing a pivotal role in the development and management of client relationships while overseeing a diverse array of client projects, the Director, Corporate Development will lead a small team in delivering expeditious and high-quality execution on strategic and financial analyses (modeling and FP&A), presentation creation, industry research etc., with the ultimate goal of driving successful outcomes for our clients.

Detailed Responsibilities:

• Project management: In partnership with the client, develop and implement financial and corporate strategies. Leads the end-to-end project management, work plan development, process and project execution. Manage Embarc team members and client team to deliver on project goals in a timely and resource-efficient manner. Effectively communicate across all stakeholders. Drive optimal outcomes for all stakeholders, while meeting and/or exceeding client expectations.
• Building a relationship with the client as a trusted advisor: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with client leadership and key staff. Identify opportunities where Embarc's financial and strategic services (e.g. capital raising, M&A, strategic finance, financial planning, and M&A) may accelerate the client's strategic plan and align with their key business objectives. Acts as a thought leader and trusted advisor to client's key leadership.
• Execution: Develop and prepare audience-appropriate materials, including investment memorandums, reports, presentations, financial models etc. which summarize transaction highlights, risks, integration plans, and any other key considerations. Ensure all work products meet Embarc's high standard of quality. Provide updates and presentations to senior client leadership and Embarc leadership to enable decision-making.
• Talent Development: Provide strong leadership in the recruitment, training and development of top-quality talent, ensuring a high level of performance and productivity. Build morale, motivate and instill productivity and teamwork, create and promote a positive and supportive work environment. Creates a culture of continuous improvement for processes, systems, data, training, people, etc.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone with a minimum of 7 years of experience with private equity, investment banking, transaction services, transaction-focused corporate development, strategic finance, management consulting, or a related field; including a minimum of 2 years of experience in M&A and fundraising leading full-cycle transaction execution.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A mix of in-house corporate/strategic finance experience with a background in management consulting, investment banking or PE / VC.
• Experience working with start-up organizations.
• Experience running a M&A and/or capital raise process from start to finish.
• Proven capabilities in project management, including ability to manage multiple projects independently.
• Proven success with independently developing presentations and other communication materials executive leadership, external partners, and the Board of Advisors.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to develop audience-appropriate communications and complex issues in a simple and easy to understand manner.
• Superior statistical, qualitative, and quantitative analysis skills, (including: advanced financial modeling, market research, strategic valuation and financial analysis, etc.), with the proven ability to utilize data to influence decisions.
• Demonstrated strengths with financial accounting, capital markets, and M&A concepts.
• Proven ability to structure analysis efficiently, ensuring accurate conclusions in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated success with cultivating strong relationships with clients, potential targets, and with leveraging third-party relationships to source deals.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with both internal and external cross-functional teams, collaborating effectively to successfully facilitate full-cycle transaction execution.
• Demonstrated excellence with presenting to diverse stakeholders (including C-Suite, Board of Advisors, and external targets), and aligning them around a common goal, despite competing interests.
• Proven ability to maintain excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated success with building and improving processes and promoting quality.

Why Join the Embarc Team?

At Embarc, you'll gain exposure to a diverse range of high-impact work across strategic CFO advisory, capital raising, and M&A, partnering directly with founders, CEOs, and investors across industries like technology, consumer goods, media, industrials, business services, and private equity/venture capital. No two weeks look the same, and that's by design.

We offer:

• The agility and influence of a fast-growing firm where your contributions shape the business
• The intellectual rigor of top-tier advisory work without the burnout culture of traditional finance
• A high-performance, collaborative team of professionals from backgrounds in investment banking, private equity, consulting, FP&A, and more
• The flexibility to grow at your own pace, whether that means leaning into leadership, deepening your technical expertise, or exploring new service lines
• Frontline exposure to scaling companies without having to bet your career on a single startup
• A strong culture of trust, ownership, and continuous learning
• A path to shared success, with opportunities to participate in the upside
• A fully remote work environment, supported by structured operations (EOS) to keep us aligned and effective

Out total rewards package includes:

• Total target compensation of $180,000-$250,000 annually, consisting of base salary and semi-annual performance bonus opportunities
• 401(k) with immediate vesting and employer match after one year
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Unlimited vacation time and paid sick leave
• Short-term disability insurance
• Three team offsites per year, for connecting, recharging, and growing together

At Embarc, you won't just build your resume, you'll build a fulfilling career with people who are as committed to excellence as they are to each other.