Chief Executive Officer in Southampton

As a Chief Executive Officer (Operating Partner) in All Interests Aligned's (AIA) Management Buy-In (MBI) Program, you will lead the acquisition and management of a high-potential, family-owned SME facing a succession challenge. Unlike a traditional job, this is a unique career path, offering you the opportunity to become a CEO-owner of a business, with the backing of investors who are successful entrepreneurs themselves.

Working closely with AIA, you’ll experience a fully-supported journey across all stages of the MBI process:

• Origination: Identify and assess potential acquisition targets with AIA’s financial and strategic support. During this phase, you will be compensated, ensuring financial stability while you focus on building your acquisition pipeline.
• Deal Closing: Partner with AIA’s investment professionals who lead due diligence, valuation, and deal structuring to secure the acquisition.
• Transition: Take on the CEO role, with a structured transition plan that includes leadership handover and relationship-building with key stakeholders.
• Operation: Lead the company’s operations, supported by AIA’s team in governance, reporting, and compliance to create and execute a value-driven growth plan.
• Exit: Prepare and execute an exit strategy in partnership with AIA, maximizing returns and ensuring a sustainable future for the business.

AIA’s investment focus is on cash-flow positive, owner-operated SMEs across industries such as:

• Consumer products
• Construction & building
• Business services
• Transportation & logistics

Ideal acquisition targets meet the following criteria:

• Enterprise sales of between €10 - €40 million
• Consistent history of generating free cash flow (minimum 10% of sales)
• Established or stable growth, with a strong competitive position in underserved markets

These investment standards ensure that each acquisition aligns with AIA’s mission to solve the SME succession crisis in Europe.

Selection Process: Admission to the AIA MBI Program is rigorous, ensuring a strong fit between future CEOs and AIA’s mission. The multi-stage process includes leadership assessments, in-depth interviews, business case, development of an investment thesis and a final presentation to a panel of AIA leaders and external experts. The selection process typically spans 15-17 weeks, requiring 30-40 hours of preparation.

Job requirements:

• Experience: A minimum of 5-years in a general management role with direct accountability for both sales and profitability, including at least 10-15 years of post-undergraduate professional experience.
• Industry Expertise: A proven track record of success and deep domain knowledge in a sector that aligns with AIA’s investment thesis and strategic priorities, across various business types (corporates and SMEs).
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Demonstrate resilience, resourcefulness and the ability to navigate and overcome significant business challenges to achieve strong outcomes.
• Emotional Readiness: Prepared to take on a leadership role, with clarity of purpose, a strong vision for growth, and a commitment to making a lasting impact.
• Balanced Ambition: A combination of humility and strong personal drive, anchored by a clear understanding of how partnering with AIA can accelerate both individual and business success through purposeful collaboration.
• Local Anchorage: Strong regional insight with fluency in local language and business culture, supported by a deep understanding of the economy and a well-established network in the chosen geography.

Unsure if this program is right for you? Join our Q&A Webinars to get your questions answered and learn more about what to expect. View our Q&A registration portal for more information.