Managing Director – Portfolio Operations & Value Creation

Job Description

Managing Director – Portfolio Operations & Value Creation | East 57th Street Partners

The Tone:
This is an executive role at East 57th Street Partners, located in either the Dallas-Fort Worth or Austin metro area, with a hybrid work model. The company is a growing middle-market private equity firm focused on acquiring and scaling businesses. This role is critical for enhancing portfolio company performance, implementing operational improvements, and collaborating with management teams to achieve maximum investment returns. The Managing Director will act as a key advisor to portfolio company leadership, bridging the gap between investment strategy and day-to-day execution.

The TL;DR
• Role: Executive
• Location: Hybrid, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; Austin, TX
• Mission: To support portfolio company performance, drive operational improvements, and partner with management teams to maximize investment returns.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Portfolio Leadership: Partner directly with portfolio company CEOs, CFOs, and executive teams to develop and oversee value creation plans aimed at revenue growth, EBITDA expansion, and organizational scalability.
• Operational Excellence: Lead initiatives to identify and improve profitability, productivity, and operational effectiveness, encompassing areas like organizational design, process improvement, and performance management.
• Financial Stewardship: Review financial performance and operating metrics, support annual budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and guide capital allocation decisions for portfolio companies.
• Investment Advisory: Participate in operational and financial due diligence for prospective acquisitions, assessing management teams and value creation opportunities, and assisting with post-acquisition integration.
• Strategic Governance: Serve as a Board observer or Board member for select portfolio investments, providing strategic planning support and insights throughout the investment lifecycle to prepare for recapitalizations and exits.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Executive leadership with a robust foundation in operations, finance, corporate development, or consulting, specifically within middle-market private equity or private equity-backed organizations.
• Experience: 15+ years of senior executive experience as a CEO, President, COO, CFO, or Operating Partner, demonstrating success in driving operational improvements, financial performance, change initiatives, and growth strategies within growing businesses. Includes direct experience working with Boards of Directors and investors.
• Skills: Strong understanding and application of financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, KPI-driven management, strategic planning, and M&A operational and financial due diligence.
• Bonus: Prior background in private equity, portfolio operations, value creation, or transaction advisory; experience with companies ranging from $25 million to $500 million in revenue; exposure to multiple industries such as industrial or business services, manufacturing, distribution, consumer, healthcare, or technology-enabled services; an MBA, CPA, or other advanced business credentials.