OPERATING PARTNER – PRIVATE CREDIT

NYC Private Credit

J Harlan Group is currently conducting a search for an experienced and highly motivated OPERATING PARTNER at a prominent NYC Private Credit Investment Manager. The firm is seeking to add a seasoned operating executive to its growing platform focused on Special Situations, Sponsored, and Growth Direct Lending opportunities.

The Operating Partner will be an integral member of the Investment Team and will work directly with portfolio companies to develop value creation plans, drive operational improvements, accelerate growth initiatives, and increase enterprise value. This role offers the opportunity to oversee portfolio companies, partner closely with management teams, and facilitate transformational operational improvements.

This is an exciting opportunity to be a key part of a fast-growing and dynamic investment organization experiencing exceptional growth. The firm has a strong growth trajectory, an active investment platform, and a robust pipeline of opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

Drive value creation across portfolio companies by developing and executing value creation plans focused on operational improvement, EBITDA enhancement, and revenue growth.

Portfolio Company Engagement

• Serve as part of the investment team overseeing portfolio companies once the firm "takes the keys."
• Work directly with portfolio company management teams to drive operational improvements and business performance.
• Build trust and earn credibility with portfolio company leadership teams, engaging as a collaborative advisor and partner throughout the value creation process.
• Mentor and advise CEOs and C-suite executives, help prioritize strategic initiatives and improve day-to-day execution.
• Develop strong working relationships with management teams and stakeholders while aligning operating objectives with investor goals.

Value Creation

• Collaborate with management teams on day-to-day operations, helping guide decisions ranging from executive hiring to technology implementation.
• Identify the most impactful EBITDA improvement opportunities within a business and partner with management teams to implement actionable initiatives.
• Implement strategic plans, refine business strategies, and execute growth initiatives.
• Drive top-line revenue growth through innovative strategies, commercial excellence initiatives, product development, pricing optimization, and expansion into new markets.
• Improve operational performance through efficiency initiatives, process improvements, working capital optimization, cost reduction programs, and executional rigor.

Operational Improvement

• Develop and implement performance improvement plans designed to improve profitability, efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.
• Streamline supply chains, improve product development cycles, optimize pricing strategies, and enhance operational execution.
• Establish KPI frameworks and performance management processes to drive
• Help management teams prioritize initiatives and allocate resources to maximize value creation.

The ideal candidate would have a background including:

• Hands-on operational leadership experience is strongly preferred. Experience as a CEO, President, COO, Operating Partner, Division President, General Manager, or senior operating executive is highly attractive.
• Private equity value creation, turnaround, portfolio operations, or transformation experience required; private credit experience is a plus.
• Management consulting, restructuring, or transformation experience is a plus, particularly when combined with direct operating leadership experience.
• Deep understanding of business operations across multiple industries and business models.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust with and influence portfolio company management teams and operational staff by building trusted relationships with portfolio company leadership teams and operational staff, earning credibility through collaboration, sound judgment, and hands-on engagement to drive meaningful operational and strategic improvements.
• Proven ability to drive results through influence, credibility, and partnership rather than positional authority.
• High emotional intelligence (EQ) and the ability to adapt communication style and approach based on the needs of management teams, employees, investors, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in embedded partnerships with portfolio company management teams over extended periods of time.
• Proven leadership skills and a track record of driving organizational change, accountability, and executional rigor.
• Ability to identify the most impactful EBITDA levers in a business and implement actionable strategies to improve performance and enterprise value.
• Demonstrated success driving revenue growth initiatives, operational improvements, pricing optimization, cost reduction programs, working capital improvements, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Data-driven approach to operational management with expertise reviewing financial statements, operational metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive decision-making.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to earn credibility with CEOs, executive teams, boards, lenders, investors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor and advise C-suite executives while serving as a trusted partner during periods of growth, transformation, or operational change.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellence in balancing multiple projects and efficiently meeting goals in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong business judgment, problem-solving skills, and a collaborative approach to leadership.
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team.

Education:

• Strong academic record and a bachelor's or higher degree

An individual who loves solving deep and complex investment related matters and wants to have an outsized impact with the products and solutions they deliver. An individual with a passion for advising on value creation/operational improvements, a high level of intellectual curiosity, a commitment to excellence and an unparalleled drive to deliver world-class services.

If you or anyone in your network would be interested in this opportunity, please send resume to Jerry Goldberg at jgoldberg@jharlan.com or directly contact us at (212) 792-0099

About the Client:

The firm is a New York-based, private credit investment firm managing $8.8 billion inclusive of Special Situations, Sponsored, and Growth direct lending opportunities. Providing bespoke credit solutions to stakeholders and management teams of U.S. middle market companies requiring capital support for growth, acquisitions, operational challenges and financial distress.

The firm believes that what sets it apart from the competition is the strength of its team, its sourcing capabilities, its focus on unique credits, and its ability to deliver bespoke solutions quickly and efficiently, while generating attractive risk adjusted returns for investors. The firm was founded in 2017 with the objective of providing financing to primarily middle market business that operate in North America.

They seek candidates who are high-energy self-starters who want to join an investment management firm on the leading edge of financial markets. The management team needs individuals of the highest professional caliber who are leaders, problem solvers, analytic, detail-oriented, and entrepreneurial. Everyone at the firm works side-by-side with the firm's senior partners in a highly collaborative and charged investment environment.

Successful candidates are:

• Analytic and relentless in pursuit of the right answer
• Strong communicators who excel at rapid synthesis
• Able to demonstrate sound business judgment
• Able to digest complexity while maintaining an understanding of the big picture of business needs
• Team players who are energized by a collaborative enterprise

The firm's employees maintain the highest professional and ethical standards. The firm has earned a reputation for honesty, fair dealing, and transparency in a competitive industry. They believe that these standards are the foundation for superior investment performance and are critical to delivering performance to clients.

SALARY RANGE: - Expected base salary for this position is between $200,000 and $225,000. Base compensation will be determined commensurate with experience and is only one component of the overall compensation package, which includes a discretionary bonus and comprehensive benefits package.