Associate Director

J.S. Held is seeking an Associate Director to join our Turnaround & Restructuring team, based in the Boston metropolitan area. The Associate Director will be a key member of client engagement teams, providing leadership across financial analysis, operational restructuring, transaction execution, and business development. This role is well‑suited for a seasoned professional with deep restructuring experience who thrives in fast‑paced, high‑impact environments and is motivated to grow client relationships and deal flow.

Substantial travel to client sites should be expected based on engagement requirements.

Job Responsibilities:

Financial Analysis & Modeling

• Lead the development and review of complex financial models, including cash flow forecasts, liquidity analyses, and restructuring projections
• Analyze financial statements to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for operational and financial improvement
• Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses to support strategic decision‑making
• Prepare high‑quality financial reports, presentations, and court or stakeholder deliverables

Operational Restructuring & Interim Support

• Assess business plans, operational processes, and cost structures to identify inefficiencies and value‑enhancement opportunities
• Design and implement turnaround, restructuring, and performance‑improvement initiatives
• Support interim and crisis management roles, including CRO/CFO‑type engagement support
• Monitor execution progress and ensure alignment with restructuring objectives

Transaction & Special Situations Advisory

• Lead or support mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, restructurings, and wind‑down processes
• Participate in due diligence, Quality of Earnings analyses, and transaction advisory assignments
• Work with stakeholders in distressed scenarios, including Chapter 11, Section 363 sales, and DIP financing contexts

Client, Network & Business Development

• Expand and leverage referral and business development networks
• Contribute to sourcing new engagements and building regional market presence
• Lead and participate in presentations to referral sources, clients, and internal stakeholders

Leadership & Firm Contribution

• Collaborate effectively with senior‑level client executives
• Contribute to the enhancement of internal tools, methodologies, and best practices
• Uphold the highest ethical standards and represent the firm with professionalism and credibility

Required Qualifications:

Professional Experience

• Typically 5–10+ years of post‑graduate experience in turnaround and restructuring, financial advisory, investment banking, consulting, accounting, or related fields
• Demonstrated experience leading complex financial and operational engagements with minimal oversight
• Strong working knowledge of restructuring processes, M&A, valuation, capital structures, liquidity management, quality of earnings, and related business practices and operations
• Experience with distressed situations, workouts, bankruptcies, and special situations strongly preferred

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field required
• MBA or other advanced degree strongly preferred
• Professional certifications such as CTP, CPA, CFA, CIRA, or CFE are a plus

Core Skills & Attributes

• Advanced financial modeling and analytical capabilities (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Strategic mindset with strong problem‑solving skills
• Ability to lead teams and manage multiple priorities in time‑sensitive environments
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• High integrity, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style
• Willingness to travel extensively based on client needs

Physical and Mental Job Qualifications:

• Ability to work extended hours when required by client engagements
• Flexible to travel frequently, often 40–50% or more
• Ability to balance office, client‑site, and remote work environments as required

Some of the Benefits We Have Include

J.S. Held understands all our employees are people and sometimes life needs flexibility. We work to always provide an environment that best supports and suits our team’s needs.

• Generous FTO Policy
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401k Match
• Commuter Benefit

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $110,000 - $140,000. Any offered salary range is based on a wide array of factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, training, location, scope of role, management responsibility, etc.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read the J.S. Held Online Privacy Notice and hereby freely and unambiguously give informed consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of your personal information as required and described therein. California residents can click here to learn more about the personal information we collect and here to learn about additional privacy rights that may be available.

Please explore what we’re all about at www.jsheld.com.

EEO and Job Accommodations

We embrace diversity and our commitment to building a team and environment that fosters professional and personal enrichment is unwavering. We are greater when we are equal!

J.S. Held is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request for a reasonable accommodation, please email jobs@jsheld.com and include “Applicant Accommodation” within the subject line with your request and contact information.

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