This is a high-visibility, high-impact role at a pivotal moment in Forge's growth. As Forge expands its portfolio through acquisitions, you will help shape how the organization evaluates, integrates, and scales acquired businesses while delivering on its most important value creation initiatives. You will work in close partnership with executives, Corporate Development, and program leaders across the business to build foundational program management and integration capabilities for scale.
Forge is seeking a VCO / IMO Lead to drive program management across the Value Creation Office and lead the Integration Management Office as Forge expands its portfolio through acquisitions. This role, dual-hatted with Corporate Development, partners closely with senior leaders to ensure that value creation projects and post-close integrations are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. This is a high-visibility role for a senior program and integration leader who thrives in fast-paced, deal-driven environments and enjoys turning strategic intent into measurable results.
Forge is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy that includes acquisitions to expand its portfolio. The VCO / IMO Lead will provide the program discipline, integration expertise, and executive-level judgment required to ensure that every deal delivers on its thesis — from Day 1 readiness through full operational integration and synergy realization — while continuing to drive value creation across the existing business.
Within the first 6–12 months, a successful VCO / IMO Lead will:
• Establish a consistent program management framework across VCO and IMO initiatives
• Stand up a scalable IMO operating model and integration playbook to support Forge's acquisition agenda
• Deliver value creation projects and integration milestones on time, within scope, and on budget
• Successfully lead one or more end-to-end integrations, capturing targeted synergies
• Translate deal thesis and diligence findings into clear post-close roadmaps
• Build repeatable tools and playbooks that scale across the enterprise and across future deals
You are likely to succeed if you:
• Enjoy bringing structure to ambiguity and rigor to complex portfolios and integrations
• Influence senior leaders through credibility, judgment, and clear communication
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Move quickly, take ownership, and follow through in a deal-driven environment
• Are motivated by measurable value delivery, disciplined execution, and successful integration outcomes
You will shape how Forge plans, integrates, and executes value creation initiatives and M&A transactions, ensuring transformation programs and integrations deliver on their intended value. Your work will directly influence how Forge scales through acquisition and how the enterprise governs its most important initiatives.
Your Experience Likely Includes:
• 10+ years leading complex program management and/or M&A integration initiatives
• Delivering complex projects and integrations aligned with strategic business goals
• Leading or standing up an Integration Management Office in a serial acquirer or PE-backed environment
• Leading and developing project management and integration teams in high-performing environments
• Supporting M&A transactions from diligence through post-close integration, including Day 1 readiness, synergy planning, and execution governance
Target Compensation: $175,000 - $200,000 plus Bonus eligible
Why Join ForgeThis is an opportunity to build foundational program management and integration capabilities at a company with bold growth and acquisition ambitions. You will work closely with senior leaders, influence enterprise-wide initiatives and every deal in the pipeline, and play a meaningful role in shaping how Forge scales and transforms through disciplined execution, successful integration, and value capture.
Skills Required
- 10+ years leading complex program management and/or M&A integration initiatives
- Experience delivering complex projects and integrations aligned with strategic business goals
- Experience leading or establishing an Integration Management Office in a serial acquirer or private-equity-backed environment
- Experience leading and developing project management and integration teams
- Experience supporting M&A transactions from diligence through post-close integration, including Day 1 readiness, synergy planning, and execution governance
What We Do
Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. Emerald has offices in California, Colorado, New York, and New Hampshire, as well as remote employees throughout the US. When you’re part of a team of industry experts, creators, innovators, and advisors, the possibilities for growth are endless. At Emerald, we push beyond business-as-usual to help clients exceed their goals, while accomplishing yours too. If you’re ready to join a dynamic team of creative thinkers at a company that values talent and innovation, explore our options now and consider joining our team. https://careers.emeraldx.com/careers-home
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