Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Charlotte, North Carolina Metro Area | Private Equity-Backed Operating CompanyOpportunity
Overview
Our client is a highly successful founder-led business located in the Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area that has recently partnered with a long-term private equity investor. Unlike traditional buy-and-flip investment models, this firm acquires exceptional founder-built businesses with the intention of preserving and growing each company as an independent operating entity.
As part of a planned leadership transition, the organization is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to assume day-to-day leadership of the business and serve as the primary executive responsible for driving the next phase of growth.
This opportunity is designed for an entrepreneurial leader who wants to effectively "own and run" a business while benefiting from the resources, strategic support, and capital of a sophisticated private equity partner. The successful candidate will receive a highly competitive compensation package, performance-based incentives, and a significant equity participation opportunity aligned with long-term value creation.
About the Opportunity
This is not a traditional corporate CEO role.
The private equity sponsor's philosophy centers around acquiring strong founder-built businesses and preserving what makes them successful. Rather than integrating acquisitions into a larger platform or pursuing a short-term exit strategy, each company continues to operate as its own standalone business with dedicated leadership, resources, and growth initiatives.
The incoming CEO will assume leadership from the founder and be entrusted with building upon an already successful foundation. The objective is to drive sustainable growth, enhance operational performance, strengthen the organization, and create long-term value for employees, customers, investors, and the leadership team.
For the right individual, this represents a unique opportunity to run a business with significant autonomy while participating meaningfully in the value they help create through a substantial equity ownership program.
Position Summary
The Chief Executive Officer will have full P&L responsibility and lead all aspects of the organization, including strategy, operations, sales, marketing, customer experience, talent development, and financial performance.
Working closely with the Board of Directors and private equity ownership group, the CEO will develop and execute a strategic growth plan focused on organic growth initiatives, commercial excellence, operational efficiency, and organizational development.
The successful candidate will be equally comfortable setting strategy, leading people, driving accountability, and rolling up their sleeves to solve problems and capitalize on opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a multi-year strategic growth plan.
- Establish annual operating objectives and long-term value creation initiatives.
- Identify opportunities for market expansion, new services, and customer growth.
- Partner with ownership and the Board on strategic planning and execution.
- Drive initiatives that strengthen the competitive position of the company.
- Revenue Growth & Commercial Excellence
- Lead all sales, business development, and revenue generation efforts.
- Develop strategies to increase market share and customer acquisition.
- Enhance sales processes, pipeline management, and commercial accountability.
- Oversee marketing initiatives that support brand awareness and revenue growth.
- Identify and pursue new growth opportunities across existing and adjacent markets.
- Operational Leadership
- Drive operational excellence across the organization.
- Improve efficiency, scalability, and execution capabilities.
- Establish performance metrics and reporting frameworks throughout the business.
- Implement best practices that support growth while maintaining service quality.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across all functional areas.
- Financial & Performance Management
- Maintain full accountability for company financial performance.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and operational planning processes.
- Monitor KPIs and financial metrics to ensure achievement of business objectives.
- Drive profitability, cash flow, and operational efficiency improvements.
- Ensure disciplined decision-making supported by data and financial analysis.
- Leadership & Organizational Development
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing leadership team.
- Create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Assess organizational capabilities and recruit top talent where needed.
- Establish succession planning and leadership development initiatives.
- Serve as the cultural leader and ambassador of the organization.
- Investor & Board Partnership
- Serve as the primary liaison between the business and ownership group.
- Provide regular updates on operational and financial performance.
- Present strategic initiatives, growth opportunities, and business results.
- Collaborate with investors on long-term value creation initiatives.
- Execute against agreed-upon strategic objectives and performance goals.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial operator who views this opportunity as a chance to build and lead a business, not simply manage one.
This individual will possess a strong blend of commercial leadership, operational expertise, strategic thinking, and people leadership capabilities.
Required Qualifications
- Proven experience as a CEO, President, General Manager, COO, Managing Director, or senior executive with meaningful P&L responsibility.
- Demonstrated success driving revenue growth and operational performance improvements.
- Experience leading organizations through periods of growth and transformation.
- Strong sales, marketing, and business development orientation.
- Ability to build, develop, and retain high-performing teams.
- Strong financial acumen and business management capabilities.
- Exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
- Willingness to be highly engaged in the day-to-day operations of the business.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working within founder-owned or entrepreneur-led businesses.
- Prior private equity-backed company experience.
- Experience leading leadership transitions or founder succession situations.
- Track record of scaling businesses and improving organizational performance.
- Experience operating in lower-middle-market or middle-market organizations.
- Leadership Characteristics
- The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Ownership mentality and entrepreneurial drive.
- Strong business judgment and decision-making skills.
- Commercial and growth-oriented mindset.
- Operational discipline and execution focus.
- Ability to lead through influence and accountability.
- High emotional intelligence and relationship-building capability.
- Passion for building teams and developing people.
- Long-term commitment to creating sustainable enterprise value.
- Compensation & Equity
- The compensation package includes:
- Competitive Base Salary
- Performance-Based Annual Bonus
- Significant Long-Term Equity Participation Opportunity
- Comprehensive Executive Benefits Package
- Why This Opportunity?
- This role is ideal for an executive who wants to transition from managing a business to truly leading and building one.
- You will inherit a successful founder-built company with a strong reputation, loyal customers, and a solid foundation.
- Supported by experienced investors who focus on long-term value creation rather than short-term financial engineering, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of the organization while participating directly in the value you help create.
For the right leader, this is a rare opportunity to operate with the mindset and rewards of an owner while benefiting from the resources, support, and capital of a sophisticated private equity partner.
