Operating Partner – Portfolio Value Creation (ex-CEO Background)
Location: London, United Kingdom
A leading European private equity firm is seeking an experienced Operating Partner to join its London-based team. This is a senior appointment for an individual who has successfully led private equity-backed businesses as a CEO and has a demonstrable track record of delivering transformational value creation.
The Operating Partner will work closely with investment professionals, portfolio company leadership teams and boards to drive performance across a portfolio of businesses throughout Europe. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational execution, supporting management teams through growth, transformation and exit preparation.
This opportunity is ideally suited to a former private equity-backed CEO looking to leverage their experience across multiple businesses and partner with investors to create long-term value.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with portfolio company CEOs and executive teams to develop and execute value creation plans.
- Identify and implement initiatives to accelerate revenue growth, improve profitability and enhance operational performance.
- Support leadership teams through periods of growth, transformation, international expansion and organisational change.
- Drive commercial excellence initiatives including sales effectiveness, pricing strategy, market expansion and customer acquisition.
- Lead operational improvement programmes focused on efficiency, scalability and EBITDA enhancement.
- Support acquisition integration, carve-outs and buy-and-build strategies across the portfolio.
- Work alongside investment teams during due diligence, investment execution and exit preparation.
- Assess organisational capability and assist with executive talent development and succession planning.
- Provide coaching and mentorship to CEOs and senior leadership teams.
- Act as a trusted advisor to portfolio company boards and investors.
Candidate Profile
- Former CEO of a private equity-backed business with a proven track record of value creation.
- Experience leading companies through growth, transformation, acquisition integration or international expansion.
- Strong understanding of private equity ownership structures, governance and investor expectations.
- Demonstrated success delivering revenue growth, margin improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
- Experience working with boards, investors and executive leadership teams.
- Ability to influence and build credibility quickly with management teams.
- Strong commercial acumen combined with a pragmatic, hands-on approach.
- Comfortable operating across multiple businesses and sectors simultaneously.
- Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Experience
- Previous CEO, Managing Director, President or Executive Chair experience within a private equity-backed environment.
- Exposure to mid-market and upper mid-market businesses.
- Experience executing buy-and-build strategies and post-acquisition integration programmes.
- Track record of successful exits and value realisation events.
- European operating experience is highly advantageous.
What Makes This Opportunity Attractive?
- Opportunity to work alongside an experienced investment team at a leading European private equity platform.
- Significant influence on portfolio strategy and value creation initiatives.
- Exposure to a diverse range of businesses, management teams and sectors.
- Ability to leverage prior CEO experience across multiple investments rather than a single company.
- Competitive compensation package including long-term incentive participation.
This is a unique opportunity for a proven private equity-backed CEO to transition into a high-impact Operating Partner role and help shape the growth and performance of a leading private equity portfolio.
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