At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead growth and strategy for software companies in the EMEA portfolio.
- Company: Join a leading global software investor focused on value creation.
- Benefits: Enjoy an attractive salary and the chance to shape company cultures.
- Why this job: Be a key player in driving profitability and innovation across diverse software businesses.
- Qualifications: Experience as a CEO or MD in software, with strong financial acumen required.
- Other info: Ideal for creative leaders eager to make impactful decisions.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
I have been retained by a leading global software investor to hire an experienced leader from within the software space to be responsible for driving growth and value creation within the EMEA portfolio.
The EMEA Operating Partner will be responsible for guiding the growth, performance, and strategic direction of all companies within the growing EMEA portfolio. You will act as the key partner to founders, CEOs, and management teams within the portfolio, focused on driving lasting profitability while preserving each company’s unique culture and operational independence.
Key Responsibilities:- Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to executive teams, including, but not limited to; talent development, succession planning, Go-To-Market strategy, pricing strategy, products, financial stewardship and accountability, and sales optimisation.
- Be responsible for ensuring the delivery of agreed organic and in-organic growth targets, and significant returns on invested capital.
- Drive growth and profitability within each software company, holding teams to account in relation to financial results and performance.
- Identify key value drivers within each software business and working to implement strategies and playbooks to ensure delivery of this growth and opportunity.
- Define and execute a vision and strategy that drives long-term, profitable growth, without compromising on quality or company values.
- Act as a true driving force in relation to growth, and not purely as a coach or strategist.
- Lead and ensure the continual development of teams within the EMEA portfolio companies, as well as at group level. Key areas will include finance, M&A, legal, HR/Talent, Customer Success and Sales functions.
- Act as organisational architect across the group, ensuring the development of best-in-class talent across all functions, identifying future leaders, those in need of development, any skills gaps, and being quick to identify and address areas of weakness.
- Act as partner to M&A teams, helping to shape deals, developing investment thesis, providing strategic input to close key transactions, etc.
- Implement scalable systems, governance structures, and KPIs that ensure accountability and predictable results.
- Promote cross-company collaboration and knowledge sharing to accelerate organic growth and strengthen competitive positioning.
- Lead the EMEA portfolio, cultivating trusted relationships with portfolio company leaders and fostering a culture of operational excellence and shared success.
- Proven track record of scaling software businesses with strong EBITDA margins.
- Prior experience as a software company CEO, General Manager, MD, or similar.
- Financially literate and highly numerical, with prior experience of owning a P&L and delivering strong growth and profitability.
- A proven track record in developing teams and talent, with the ability to coach talent, as well as execute strategic hiring at a senior level.
- Natural gravitas, high EQ, and a collaborative worker.
- Inherently creative, resilient, adaptive, and with a do it today attitude.
- Never happy with the status quo, always driving and seeking excellence, innovation, and further growth opportunities.
- Proven ability to make calculated, often difficult decisions that are in the best interests of long term growth.
- Trusted leader who inspires confidence and earns the respect of founders and executive teams.
- Deep experience developing and deploying repeatable frameworks for growth in the software sector, across various products, geographies, and ideally verticals.
- Strong strategic acumen with the ability to align short-term execution with long-term vision.
- Prior experience working within a majority ownership / traditional PE ownership model.
Operating Partner employer: Finatal
Contact Detail:
Finatal Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operating Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the software investment space. Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences where you can meet founders and CEOs of software companies. Building these relationships can give you insights into the challenges they face and how you can position yourself as a valuable partner.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends and developments in the software industry. Subscribe to relevant publications, follow thought leaders on social media, and engage in discussions about growth strategies. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews and conversations with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare case studies or examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to drive growth and profitability in software businesses. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented and the results achieved, as this will highlight your suitability for the Operating Partner role.
✨Tip Number 4
Foster your leadership skills by seeking mentorship or coaching opportunities. Engaging with experienced leaders can provide you with valuable insights and feedback on your approach to team development and strategic decision-making, which are crucial for the EMEA Operating Partner position.
We think you need these skills to ace Operating Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in scaling software businesses and your previous roles as a CEO or General Manager. Use specific metrics to demonstrate your success in driving growth and profitability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your strategic acumen and ability to mentor executive teams. Share examples of how you've implemented successful Go-To-Market strategies or improved financial performance in past roles.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Highlight your leadership style and how you foster collaboration and operational excellence within teams. Provide examples of how you've developed talent and addressed skills gaps in previous positions.
Demonstrate Financial Literacy: Include details about your experience with P&L ownership and your ability to make data-driven decisions. Mention any frameworks or systems you've implemented that led to significant returns on invested capital.
How to prepare for a job interview at Finatal
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As an Operating Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor executive teams. Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully guided teams through growth and strategic challenges.
✨Understand the Software Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends and challenges in the software industry. Be ready to discuss how you can drive growth and profitability within the EMEA portfolio, showcasing your knowledge of market dynamics.
✨Highlight Financial Acumen
Since financial stewardship is key in this role, be prepared to discuss your experience with P&L management and delivering strong EBITDA margins. Bring data or case studies that illustrate your success in achieving financial targets.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Sensitivity
Given the importance of preserving each company's unique culture, be ready to talk about how you've successfully navigated cultural differences in previous roles. Show that you value operational independence while driving collaboration.