Location: London
Engagement: Interim, 12-month initial assignment
Sector: PE-backed software business
Rate: £1,500 to £2,000 per day
The Opportunity
We are supporting a PE-backed technology business with the appointment of an experienced Value Creation Director for an initial 12-month engagement.
Working closely with the Chief Corporate Development Officer and senior leadership team, the Value Creation Director will take ownership of translating the assumptions and opportunities identified through the deal process into tangible commercial and operational results.
This is not a strategy or advisory role. The business is looking for a proven operator who can get underneath the P&L, identify what is and is not working, and ensure that the value creation initiatives underpinning the investment case are actually delivered.
Key Responsibilities
Translate the investment thesis and deal assumptions into a practical value creation plan, with clear milestones, owners and financial outcomes.
Own and drive the execution of key value creation initiatives across the business.
Work closely with business leaders to ensure commercial assumptions are converted into measurable performance.
Get underneath the P&L, identifying opportunities to accelerate revenue growth, improve margins and address areas of underperformance.
Challenge assumptions, identify gaps between the deal case and actual performance, and implement appropriate corrective actions.
Establish clear KPIs and performance tracking against the value creation plan.
Provide hands-on support to functional and business leaders to remove barriers to execution.
Bring commercial rigour and accountability to the delivery of strategic initiatives.
Provide clear visibility to senior leadership and investors on progress, risks and value delivered.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a commercial operator rather than a pure strategist or consultant. The successful individual is likely to have:
Previous experience as a General Manager, Managing Director, Business Unit Director or equivalent operational leader.
Significant P&L ownership, with evidence of having personally delivered revenue, margin and/or EBITDA improvement.
Strong commercial experience, ideally spanning areas such as pricing, sales effectiveness, go-to-market, customer profitability, cost optimisation or business performance.
Experience translating a strategy or investment case into tangible operational and financial outcomes.
Strong understanding of the key value levers within a P&L and how to influence them.
Experience within a PE-backed environment or working directly against a PE value creation plan would be highly advantageous.
Technology, software or technology-enabled services experience would be beneficial.
A highly hands-on approach with the credibility to challenge and influence senior leaders.
Comfortable operating at pace in an investor-led environment with a strong focus on measurable results.
What Success Looks Like
Over the 12-month assignment, success will ultimately be measured by whether the commercial assumptions underpinning the investment case are being converted into results. The successful candidate will leave behind a business with:
Clear ownership of the value creation agenda.
Greater visibility and accountability against the investment case.
Improved commercial and financial performance.
Value creation initiatives embedded within the operating business rather than sitting alongside it.
A demonstrable bridge between the original deal thesis and actual P&L impact.
The Person
This role will suit someone who has owned the number and delivered the plan, rather than simply advised management teams on what they should do.
You will combine the commercial instincts of a GM with the pace, analytical rigour and delivery focus expected within a PE-backed environment.