CEO Through Acquisition

About the role

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm dedicated to solving succession challenges for SMEs. Through the Operator-Led Buyout Program (OLBO), NCA provides a structured and scalable solution for business succession, ensuring lasting success for all stakeholders. We are currently seeking ambitious, talented mid-career professionals who wish to partner with NCA to search, acquire, and lead a small or medium-sized enterprise as CEO.

Responsibilities

• Establish a search process aimed at generating sufficient deal flow, aligning with pre-defined criteria
• Manage the acquisition process with support from our experienced Investment Management team
• Take on the CEO role of the newly acquired business
• Proactively generate and evaluate strategic growth options and business opportunities, developing long-term business strategy and 100-day plans
• Grow the business top line through impactful marketing and sales initiatives
• Review product/service offerings, portfolio strategies, existing brands positioning, and implement improvements
• Manage geographical expansions, preparing and successfully implementing market entrance strategies
• Ensure efficient operations and profitable growth

Requirements

• 15+ years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in leadership roles with full P&L responsibility
• Academic achievement (preferably an Executive MBA or MBA degree)
• Minimum 10+ years of proven track record of running and growing businesses or business units in the US
• Strong motivation towards entrepreneurship
• Fluent in English
• Deep expertise and/or strategic vision in one or more of the following sectors/industries: Business Services, Healthcare Services, Niche Manufacturing, Software/Tech-Enabled Businesses, Distribution & Logistics

Nice-to-have requirements

• M&A experience
• Consulting experience from a top consulting firm
• Experience managing and operating an SME
• Owner, founder, or co-founder of a startup
• Experience in global business development and international expansion
• Recent successful business transformation experience
• An open mind towards learning, people, and even failure

Selection Process

• Personal evaluation of every application by our team
• Several in-depth interviews
• Online assessments
• Meetings with different stakeholders to review investment thesis
• Completion and presentation of a business case assignment over several weeks
• Final Assessment Center with the jury selection in September 2026

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to being an Equal Opportunity program, and all submitted CVs pass through the same application process, regardless of gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, race, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, parental status, or any other non-merit factor.