EY-Parthenon – Senior Director - Strategy and Execution, Telecommunications PE Value Creation

The opportunity

EY-Parthenon’s unique combination of transformative strategy, transactions and corporate finance delivers real-world value – solutions that work in practice, not just on paper. Benefiting from EY’s full spectrum of services, we’ve reimagined strategic consulting to work in a world of increasing complexity.

With deep functional and sector expertise, paired with innovative AI-powered technology and an investor mindset, we partner with CEOs, Boards, Private Equity and Governments every step of the way – enabling you to shape your future with confidence.

Within EY-Parthenon's Strategy and Execution sub service line, the Telecommunications Private Equity Value Creation team is a specialized group focused on unlocking growth and operational efficiency for private equity portfolio companies. The team works primarily with PE-backed businesses across the telecommunications value chain, including telecom operators, fiber and network infrastructure, towers, data centers, and telecom software and services.

Our team partners with management teams to identify critical business challenges, uncover actionable insights, and develop strategic and tactical recommendations, typically supporting execution planning and, in many cases, helping drive implementation. This is a high-impact, fast-paced environment where consultants play a key role in delivering results and shaping client outcomes.

Your key responsibilities

As a Senior Director with EY-Parthenon's Strategy and Execution Telecommunications Private Equity Value Creation practice, you will be a vital member of the team leading and executing operational focused projects. Your responsibilities will include:

• Own the end-to-end delivery of strategy and execution projects, including scoping, planning, and driving results in high-pressure environments.
• Supervise and mentor a team of Consultants, Senior Associates, and directors; guide problem-solving efforts, ensure high-quality output, and develop professional growth / opportunities of team members.
• Manage structured analysis to identify root causes, quantify opportunities, and develop actionable, data-backed recommendations across go-to-market, pricing, customer success, product, and operations.
• Build trust with senior stakeholders, communicate complex insights in a clear, compelling manner, and identify areas of additional need / business development opportunities.
• Translate strategy into implementation roadmaps and partner with clients to realize value, often in hands-on, interim leadership or PMO roles.
• Play a key role in proposal development, client pitches, and relationship building with private equity sponsors and portfolio companies.
• Contribute to the direction of the Private Equity Value Creation practice by managing development of the knowledge base, capabilities, and market presence through IP development, recruiting, and team-building initiatives.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to guide teams and clients through ambiguity to develop clear, actionable strategies.
• Comfort in Ambiguity: Ability to bring structure and clarity to unfamiliar or evolving situations
• Commercial Acumen: Strong business judgment and an understanding of how to drive value for clients
• Hands-on Problem Solving: Willingness to dig into data, pressure test hypotheses, and lead teams through rigorous analysis.
• Industry Fluency: familiarity with the telecommunications landscape, including telecom operators, fiber and network infrastructure, towers, data centers, and telecom software and services.
• Team Development: Strong people leadership skills; ability to assess, coach, motivate, and grow junior team members.
• Adaptability: Thrive in fast-paced, evolving situations, managing multiple priorities, workstreams, and projects simultaneously.
• Execution Orientation: Track record of leading initiatives from idea through implementation and driving measurable impact.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Economics, or related field and 8 years of related work experience; or a graduate degree and approximately 7 years of related work experience.
• Experience in management consulting, investment banking, corporate strategy, or operating roles with significant exposure to growth, go-to-market, or operational improvement.
• Experience leading complex workstreams or full projects in a fast-paced client service environment.
• Demonstrated telecommunications sector experience, with exposure to multiple subsectors across the telecom value chain.
• Deep understanding of financial statements and operational performance metrics.
• Deep familiarity with Excel-based modeling, operational diagnostics, and strategic frameworks.
• Proven success in building relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft and deliver executive-level presentations.
• The expectation for this role is in person teaming, at client site or in an EY office, a minimum of 60% of the time or on average 3 days a week over the course of an engagement, project or performance year.
• You must either reside in or be in a commutable distance to your office location for this position.
• The ability and willingness to travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary. In certain circumstances, travel may be required beyond your work location based on client and project needs.

Ideally, you will have

• MBA from a top-rated school.
• Direct experience with private equity sponsors and/or PE-backed portfolio companies.
• Familiarity with go-to-market strategy, operational improvement in a consulting or operating role.
• Knowledge of how to leverage firm-approved AI tools in a business setting, including Microsoft Copilot.

What we look for 

We’re looking for intellectually curious, analytically strong professionals who thrive in fast-paced, high-impact environments. You should be energized by solving complex problems, collaborating with teams, and helping clients unlock value. If you bring an entrepreneurial mindset, a passion for telecommunications and digital infrastructure, and a desire to grow through hands-on experience, this role is for you.

What we offer you
At EY, we harness our collective strength to empower you to shape your future with confidence through professional growth, personal fulfillment and an inclusive culture. Learn more at ey.com/us/careers.

• We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business.  The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $250,000 to $290,000. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography.  In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.
• Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today. 

• To make the most of your application experience, please limit yourself to two applications within a six-month period.
• EY accepts applications for this position on an on-going basis.
• For those living in California, please click here for additional information.
• At EY, our values set the foundation for how we work and the behaviors we expect of our people.  Any misrepresentation or falsification of information or lack of integrity at any point in the recruiting process may result in withdrawal of your candidacy, revocation of an offer or immediate termination of employment.

EY  |  Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.  

EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process,  please call 1-800-EY-HELP3, select Option 2 for candidate related inquiries, then select Option 1 for candidate queries and finally select Option 2 for candidates with an inquiry which will route you to EY’s Talent Shared Services Team (TSS) or email the TSS at [email protected].