At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multiple software companies, driving performance and talent development across the portfolio.
- Company: Join Solen Software Group, a dynamic investment firm transforming software businesses.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and mutual growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by guiding innovative software companies to success.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a GM/CEO with strong financial acumen and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 121500 - 148500 £ per year.
Solen Software Group is an investment and operating company that acquires and operates proven software businesses with significant growth potential across a variety of vertical markets, enabling each to become a market leader in its niche. Solen's portfolio spans Human Resource Technology, Fleet Telematics, Asset Management, E-Health, Document Management, and other innovative software solutions.
We are seeking a Portfolio Leader to own the performance of a cluster of Solen's portfolio companies. This is not a single-company operating role — you will sit above individual General Managers, orchestrating results, capital, and talent across multiple P&Ls at once. The Portfolio Leader we're looking for has already run a company at the GM/CEO level and is ready to scale that judgment across a portfolio. You will set and defend performance targets across companies, allocate attention and capital to where they matter most, develop the next generation of GMs, and act as a business guide on M&A for new companies joining your cluster.
This is a high-ownership, high-visibility role for an operator who thinks like an investor — someone who can move fluidly between the details of one OpCo's P&L and the strategic trade-offs of an entire cluster. You will report to an Operating Partner and be a key part of how Solen scales its operating model.
Key Responsibilities
- Own results and key KPIs — GRR, NRR, Rule of 40, and BHS — across a cluster of portfolio companies.
- Set and defend performance targets for each company in the cluster.
- Allocate attention, resources, and capital across companies based on where they will generate the most value.
- Handle cross-company capital allocation and ROI trade-offs.
- Monitor performance against strategic and financial targets; identify risks and opportunities early.
- Manage and develop the General Managers running each company in the cluster.
- Build bench strength and talent density across the cluster — the next wave of GMs and leaders.
- Model Solen's culture and leadership standards for the operators you support.
- Own hiring, performance management, and succession planning at the GM level within your cluster.
- Serve as the business-side guide for integrating new companies into your portfolio cluster.
- Participate in M&A diligence and sourcing for acquisitions that are a clear fit for your portfolio.
- Support 100‑day planning and early integration for newly acquired companies joining the cluster.
- Partner with your Operating Partner to determine where to invest, when to return capital, and how to balance risk and return across your cluster.
- Provide financial modeling and scenario analysis to support decisions at the cluster level.
- Ensure each company in your cluster maintains strong operating discipline and accurate reporting.
- Represent your cluster's performance to your Operating Partner and, as needed, to investors and leadership.
- Escalate early warning signals and drive proactive remediation with GMs.
Key Requirements to Succeed
- Demonstrated, verifiable success running a P&L at the GM/CEO level.
- Proven ability to institute leadership growth — you've built leaders, not just delivered numbers.
- Capacity to orchestrate multiple P&Ls at once; comfort with the ambiguity of cross-company trade-offs.
- Deep understanding of software / SaaS business models and recurring revenue dynamics.
- Experience with M&A diligence, integration, or sourcing is a plus.
- Exceptional communicator — able to build credibility quickly with GMs, your Operating Partner, and leadership.
- Comfortable working in a lean environment without a large supporting team; resourceful and execution-oriented.
- High integrity, sound judgment, and a long‑term orientation that aligns with Solen's culture.
The expected base salary for this position is between $160,000 USD - $200,000 USD with a target annual bonus. Salary is based on a number of factors including market conditions, location, and may vary depending on job‑related skills and experience.
Solen-isms (How We Operate)
- Ownership Mindset: We own the mission. We don't wait to be told. We lead, fix, and build as if it were ours.
- Benchmark to Best: We seek out excellence. We measure ourselves against the best and adapt quickly, always looking for the edge that moves us forward.
- Openly Self-Critical: Leaders go first: they surface their misses early, ask for direct feedback, and turn “game film” into better decisions and better systems.
- Disagree & Commit: Leaders disagree openly and constructively, regardless of title or tenure, because truth is how we avoid bureaucracy and benchmark to best.
- Figureitoutiveness: Embracing challenges, fostering growth, and taking initiative, leaders thrive on hard work and high failure tolerance.
- Mutual Elevation: Committed to growth, elevating teams, developing future leaders, and removing barriers to mastery and joy.
- Learn-it-alls: Learn-it-alls, not know-it-alls, embracing failure as part of growth and progress.
- Pioneering: Pioneering driven by opportunity, using first principles thinking and unbound by tradition or rules.
- Will to Win: Leaders relentlessly pursue potential, reject mediocrity, and get what they tolerate.
- Dialectical: We learn through conversation. We ask, listen, question, and evolve — valuing disagreement as a tool for alignment and deeper understanding.
- Frugality: Achieving more with less, focusing on quality, long‑term value, and company‑wide responsibility.
- Candor: We communicate with integrity, transparency, and respect in all conversations.
- Kaizen: Kaizen is continuous improvement as a way of life. Leaders make hundreds of small upgrades that compound, turning lessons into standards and standards into durable systems.
Solen Software Group will never request payment, banking information, or other sensitive personal or financial details during any stage of the recruitment process. All official communication will come from a verified @solensoftwaregroup.com email address. Any outreach outside these standards should be disregarded and reported through our official channels. We thank all applicants for their interest in joining Solen Software Group. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Portfolio Leader employer: Solen Software Group
Solen Software Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, where innovation and teamwork are at the forefront. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer tailored development opportunities and the chance to lead impactful projects across Europe. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values your contributions and supports your professional journey in the thriving B2B software sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Leader
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Solen Software Group.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Solen Software Group.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Solen Software Group.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Solen Software Group. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solen Software Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Solen Software Group, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Solen Software Group, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Solen Software Group could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Solen Software Group as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.