Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Private Equity–Backed Platform Company
Company Overview
Our client is a private equity–backed platform company formed in Q4 2025 as part of a disciplined buy-and-build strategy. Since formation, the company has completed one acquisition and currently has two additional acquisitions under LOI, with a clearly defined value-creation plan over the next 24–36 months.
The business is moving from founder-led, decentralized operations to a scaled, institutional operating platform. The COO will be a critical architect of this transition — responsible for professionalizing operations, integrating acquisitions, driving execution against the investment thesis, and building repeatable operating rhythms across the platform.
This is a hands-on, execution-oriented COO role, not a high-level advisory position. The ideal candidate has operated inside PE-backed, multi-entity environments, led integration efforts, and driven measurable operational improvement under aggressive timelines.
Position Summary
The Chief Operating Officer will serve as a core member of the executive leadership team and a primary execution partner to the CEO, CFO, CTO, CHRO, and PE sponsor. This leader will be responsible for turning strategy into results across the platform and all acquired companies.
The COO will own:
- Day-to-day operational execution across the platform
- M&A integration and operating model standardization
- KPI visibility, performance management, and cadence
- Process improvement, scalability, and margin expansion
- Leadership accountability and operating discipline
This role requires a leader who thrives in complex, fast-moving environments and can bring structure, clarity, and urgency without slowing the business down.
Key Responsibilities
1. Operational Leadership & Execution
- Own day-to-day operations across the platform and operating companies
- Translate the PE sponsor’s value-creation plan into clear operational priorities
- Establish accountability across functional and operating leaders
- Act as the CEO’s right hand in driving execution, follow-through, and performance
- Step in to stabilize underperforming functions or business units as needed
2. M&A Integration & Platform Build
- Lead post-close integration for all acquisitions in partnership with CFO, CTO, and CHRO
- Own Day 1, Day 30, and Day 100 operating plans
- Standardize operating processes, reporting structures, and decision rights
- Identify synergies, cost opportunities, and efficiency gains post-acquisition
- Ensure acquired businesses align with platform standards without disrupting customers or revenue
3. Operating Model, KPIs & Cadence
- Design and implement a repeatable operating model across the platform
- Establish standardized KPIs covering:
- Revenue growth
- Margin performance
- Operational efficiency
- Customer experience
- Integration progress
- Implement weekly, monthly, and quarterly operating cadences
- Drive data-driven decision-making across leadership teams
- Partner with CFO and CTO to ensure systems and data support operational visibility
4. Process Improvement & Scalability
- Identify operational bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and execution gaps
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across functions and locations
- Drive margin expansion through cost discipline, productivity gains, and scale benefits
- Build playbooks and SOPs that can scale with growth and future acquisitions
- Reduce key-person dependency across the organization
5. Leadership, Talent & Accountability
- Set clear expectations for functional and operating leaders
- Partner with CHRO on leadership development, succession planning, and performance management
- Coach leaders to operate effectively in a PE-backed environment
- Make hard calls on leadership changes when performance does not meet expectations
- Build a culture of ownership, urgency, and execution
6. Sponsor & Board Interface
- Serve as a key operating partner to the PE sponsor and Operating Partners
- Provide clear, honest updates on operational performance and risks
- Lead preparation for board meetings related to operations and integration
- Support diligence, lender interactions, and exit planning as required
Ideal Candidate Profile
Required Experience
- Prior experience as a COO, President, or senior operations leader in a private equity–backed company
- Direct experience leading post-merger integration and platform scaling
- Proven ability to drive execution in multi-entity, high-growth environments
- Strong understanding of KPI-driven operating models
- Experience working directly with Boards, CEOs, CFOs, and PE sponsors
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
Preferred Background
- Experience in buy-and-build strategies (services, industrials, healthcare, consumer, etc.)
- Exposure to companies transitioning from founder-led to institutional scale
- Experience supporting businesses through rapid growth and eventual exit
- Blend of strategic thinking and hands-on operational leadership
Leadership Attributes
- Execution-first mindset with low tolerance for drift
- Highly organized, decisive, and results-oriented
- Strong communicator with credibility at all levels
- Comfortable making tough decisions quickly
- Respected operator who builds trust through action
Why This Role Is Compelling
- Opportunity to build and scale a PE platform from early innings
- Direct influence on value creation, integration success, and exit outcomes
- High-visibility role with CEO, Board, and PE sponsor
- Ability to leave a lasting operational footprint across the organization
