Chief Executive Officer in Belfast

Artemis Executive Search has been successfully retained by a multi-site private equity backed business. Following significant success and continued expansion, the business is now seeking to appoint a newly created Chief Executive Officer to lead the next phase of its growth journey. This is a unique opportunity to lead a well-established, values-driven organisation at a transformational point in its evolution.

The CEO will work closely with the Board and investors to drive strategic growth, professionalise operations and build a scalable platform capable of significant multi-site expansion across Ireland and beyond.

The Role

This role is ideally suited to an ambitious executive who combines strong strategic capability with exceptional operational execution and leadership experience within a fast-paced, multi-site environment. The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of the Group's growth strategy, oversee operational performance across all settings and play a central role in acquisition integration activity as the business continues its buy-and-build journey.

The CEO will be responsible for building scalable infrastructure, strengthening leadership capability across the organisation and ensuring the Group continues to deliver outstanding standards while achieving ambitious commercial objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and execute the Group's strategic growth plan in partnership with the Board and Private Equity investors.
  • Lead the evolution from a founder-led business into a scalable, high-performing platform.
  • Deliver both organic and acquisition-led growth strategies.
  • Identify and evaluate new market opportunities, locations and expansion initiatives.
  • Build a clear long-term vision while ensuring operational delivery against short-term objectives.
• Operational Leadership
  • Lead all day-to-day operations across the Group's settings.
  • Ensure consistently high standards of childcare, safeguarding, compliance and operational performance.
  • Drive operational efficiencies and best practice across all sites.
  • Implement scalable systems, processes and reporting structures suitable for a multi-site growth business.
  • Ensure strong governance and regulatory compliance across all operations.
• Buy & Build / M&A Activity
  • Support acquisition strategy including pipeline development, target evaluation and due diligence.
  • Lead integration activity for acquired businesses.
  • Ensure successful cultural, operational and financial integration of acquisitions.
  • Work closely with advisors, investors and lenders throughout transaction processes.
• Financial & Commercial Performance
  • Deliver agreed EBITDA growth targets and financial objectives.
  • Oversee budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting.
  • Drive occupancy levels, revenue growth and operational profitability.
  • Maintain strong commercial discipline across the organisation.
  • Develop KPI-led performance management across all functions.
• Leadership & Culture
  • Build, mentor and develop a high-performing leadership team.
  • Foster a positive, people-centric and values-driven culture.
  • Retain and strengthen the family-oriented ethos that defines the business.
  • Drive employee engagement, accountability and performance.
  • Support succession planning and leadership development across the Group.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Act as the key relationship lead with investors, Board members and external stakeholders.
  • Build trusted relationships with parents, local communities and regulatory bodies.
  • Represent the business externally and enhance the Group's reputation within the sector.

Experience & Skills

• Proven experience operating at CEO, Managing Director or Divisional Director level.
• Strong track record of successfully scaling multi-site operations.
• Excellent commercial and financial acumen with full P&L responsibility.
• Experience delivering growth within a Private Equity backed or high-growth environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead operational transformation and organisational change.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management capability.
• Experience building high-performing teams and leadership structures.
• Data-driven and KPI-focused approach to performance management.
• Ability to balance commercial growth with customer experience and quality outcomes.
• Exposure to buy-and-build or acquisition integration strategies.
• Experience working with Boards, investors and lending institutions.

Skills: Acquisitions, Organisational change

Benefits: Annual Bonus / 13th Cheque, Company Shares, Group Life Assurance