VP, Operator Selection & Experience

American Operator is hiring a VP Operator Selection & Experience to build the network and development platform for exceptional leaders who want to become CEOs and owners of small businesses.

This role owns the full operator lifecycle: attracting and selecting outstanding leaders preparing them for ownership matching them with the right businesses and supporting their success after placement. The mandate is broader than recruiting it is to make the American Operator network a differentiated source of talent community and long-term value creation.

The ideal candidate is a strategic talent leader and hands-on builder with experience across executive talent leadership development and private-equity-backed businesses. This role will report to the CEO.

• Define American Operators operator talent strategy aligned with its investment pipeline industries and geographies.

• Build and engage a high-quality operator network before specific acquisition needs arise.

• Own operator selection and matching including success profiles assessments interviews references and final recommendations.

• Create a compelling experience and value proposition for prospective qualified and placed operators.

• Build pre-placement education onboarding and ongoing development programs including peer learning mentorship and coaching.

• Partner with the investment and operating teams to support operator transitions first-100-day plans and long-term success.

• Track the health of the operator platform through measures such as bench quality engagement match quality retention and post-placement outcomes.

• Lead a small team while remaining personally involved with priority operators and critical selection decisions.

• 8 years in executive talent leadership development talent strategy private-equity portfolio support or a related field.

• Experience building a talent leadership or executive network not only executing searches.

• Strong judgment in executive assessment matching and leadership transitions.

• Experience supporting leaders through onboarding development coaching or peer programming.

• Strong business and financial acumen; familiarity with M&A and private-equity value creation is preferred.

• Executive presence and the ability to build trust with investors business owners and senior operators.

• A builders mindset and the ability to move between strategy and hands-on execution.

The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus and equity. Please note that compensation is determined based on a variety of factors including but not limited to relevant work experience education skills and other qualifications specific to the role.

$150K - $200K

Benefits include medical dental and vision insurance a company-matched 401(k) unlimited PTO paid holidays and paid parental leave.

American Operator exists because we believe the American Dream is worth protecting and that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. To do this well we need a team that reflects the real world: operators builders investors and problem-solvers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

We know that diversity of thought discipline and lived experience leads to better decisions and stronger businesses. Were intentional about bringing together people who care deeply about ownership stewardship and keeping great companies in capable hands. Our work depends on collaboration humility and a shared belief in the value of Main Street.

Were a team shaped by different industries hometowns and career paths and we believe those differences are exactly what prepare us to serve small-business owners and future CEOs across the country.

Every company claims to be mission-driven but our mission is simple tangible and urgent: preserve the legacy of Americas small businesses and create more pathways to meaningful ownership.

We partner with operators who want to step into leadership take responsibility for great companies and continue the work that founders spent decades building. When we succeed communities keep their employers families keep their livelihoods and operators get the chance to build wealth through real ownership.

We work hard because we know whats at stake: generational businesses that deserve to thrive and talented operators who deserve the chance to lead them. And while we measure our success in deals closed and businesses grown the real reward is seeing these companies continue to serve their people and their towns stronger than before.

Where else do you get the opportunity to help someone become a CEO preserve a founders lifes work and strengthen a community all in the same job Thats what makes our work both serious and incredibly fulfilling.

Required Experience:

Exec