Brett, Program Manager, M&A Integration at Google: Advize Career Interview
A career journey starting with a sports internship blossomed into a Program Manager, M&A Integration role at Google.
This path involved sales, consulting at PwC focusing on "lead to cash" processes for major tech firms, and a rigorous interview process.
The role's daily activities vary greatly depending on the M&A deal's stage, encompassing everything from due diligence to post-acquisition system integration, requiring significant context switching and a willingness to learn.
Success in this field necessitates adaptability, understanding technology business models, and strong influencing skills, alongside building valuable relationships.
While the complexity of integrating disparate company systems presents challenges, the high-impact work, exposure to Google's growth strategy, and contribution to innovation are highly rewarding.
Aspiring professionals should focus on building a strong professional brand, prioritizing quality work, and approaching the field with humility before challenging the status quo.
For undergraduates, consulting or banking offer valuable stepping stones into this exciting and impactful career path. A key takeaway is that consistent effort, adaptability, and strategic goal-setting are crucial for long-term success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Brett Rothberger
Program Manager, M&A Integration
University of Arizona
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Business Management & Admin, Entrepreneurship
Technology
Cyber Security and IT
Scholarship Recipient, Greek Life Member
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of a Program Manager M&A Integration at Google
Brett's career journey began with a sports internship, which ultimately led to a sales role at a startup. This experience, coupled with consulting work at PwC, where Brett focused on "lead to cash" processes and worked with numerous large technology companies, eventually led to a program manager position at Google's M&A Integration team after "almost six months of interviewing".
Main Responsibilities of a Program Manager M&A Integration at Google
Brett, a Program Manager on Google's M&A team, focuses on "business systems" used by corporate functions like sales and finance during mergers and acquisitions. Their primary responsibility is building "joint initiatives" with acquired companies to generate revenue or cost synergies while integrating separate systems during the post-acquisition interim period.
A Day In The Life Of A Mergers And Acquisitions Integration Program Manager At Google
Brett's role as a Program Manager, M&A Integration at Google involves a highly variable day-to-day experience, dependent on the "stage or maturity of that deal," ranging from "meeting with potential targets" during due diligence to "standing up different projects" post-acquisition to create smoother integration with Google's systems. This work often requires managing multiple deals simultaneously, leading to "a lot of variety, um, a lot of context switching."
Most Important Skills For An M&A Integration Program Manager At Google
Brett, a Program Manager in M&A Integration at Google, emphasizes the importance of "willingness to learn new things" and influencing decisions without direct authority in their role. A deep understanding of M&A processes, technology business models, and cross-functional corporate operations—including "understanding the common pain points"—is also crucial for navigating the complexities of their position.
Favorite Parts of Being a Mergers and Acquisitions Integration Program Manager at Google
Brett enjoys the high-priority nature of mergers and acquisitions work at Google, stating that "M&A is typically one of the most effective ways for a company to grow its business". The variety of challenges and learning opportunities presented by each unique deal, coupled with early insight into the company's confidential growth strategy, are also key aspects of the role that Brett finds rewarding.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Program Manager M&A Integration at Google
Brett's biggest challenge as a Program Manager, M&A Integration at Google is the inherent complexity of acquisitions and divestitures, where each company presents "their own baggage and own processes." Successfully integrating these companies requires iterative approaches and a willingness to adapt, understanding the challenges faced by all parties involved while aiming to achieve Google's processes without hindering business operations.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Tech Industry as an M&A Integration Program Manager at Google
Brett enjoys the high-tech industry's focus on improving quality of life, citing the opportunity to be "at the forefront for a lot of innovation" at Google. This allows Brett to "support and foster that impact," which is a key motivator in their career.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Industry, According To A Program Manager At Google
Success in the tech industry hinges on being a "go-getter" with a strong emphasis on relationship building, particularly with peers—"it's most important to build connections at your level"—to foster mutual growth and career advancement. This approach emphasizes collaboration and understanding colleagues' career aspirations to achieve shared success.
What a Mergers and Acquisitions Integration Program Manager at Google wishes they had known before entering the tech industry
Brett, a Program Manager at Google, advises aspiring professionals to approach the industry with humility, seeking guidance and experience before forming opinions, and to then use that experience to "challenge the status quo" and drive impactful change. The importance of consistently producing high-quality work, building a strong professional brand, and taking "pride in all the effort" is also highlighted as crucial for career advancement.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Program Managers in Mergers and Acquisitions at Google
Brett, a Program Manager in M&A Integration at Google, notes that entry-level M&A roles are less common for undergraduates; instead, he recommends undergraduates interested in this field consider "working either in consulting or banking...and then using that experience to get into mergers and acquisitions."
Significant Career Lesson From A Program Manager M&A Integration At Google
Brett's significant career lesson is that "you're not always gonna be interested in everything that you work on," but maintaining curiosity, dependability, and full effort ensures success. This flexible approach has enabled a successful career, allowing Brett to adapt and thrive in various roles.
College Experiences That Helped a Program Manager M&A Integration at Google Succeed
Brett's success in undergrad stemmed from "being able to set concrete goals that were attainable," breaking larger aspirations, like entering business school and then an entrepreneurship program, into actionable steps. This strategic approach to goal-setting, a skill "the backbone of success in undergrad," directly translates to their current work as a Program Manager in M&A Integration at Google.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/brettrothberger