CEO/Entrepreneur through Acquisition

Novastone Capital Advisors; Berlin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A global investment firm is looking for a CEO/Entrepreneur through Acquisition in Berlin. The role involves managing the acquisition of a small-to-medium enterprise and leading it thereafter. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience, with at least 5 years in leadership roles. Fluency in both English and German is required, along with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. This is a full-time executive position with a focus on strategic growth and development of the acquired business.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience.
• 5+ years in leadership roles managing multiple teams.
• Proven track record of running and growing businesses.
• P&L responsibility.
• P&L responsibility.
• Having a strategic vision for a sector or an industry.
• Strong motivation towards entrepreneurship.
• Fluent in English and German.
• M&A experience (nice to have).
• Consulting experience from a top consulting firm (nice to have).
• Experience managing and operating an SME (nice to have).
• Owner, Founder or co-Founder of a Start-up (nice to have).
• Experience in global business development, international expansion (nice to have).
• Recent successful business transformation experience (nice to have).
• Open mind towards learning, people and even failure (nice to have).

Responsibilities

• Manage the acquisition process with support from the team.
• Step into the CEO role of the newly acquired business.
• Develop long-term business strategy and 100-day plans.
• Grow the business via impactful marketing.
• Grow the business top line via impactful marketing and sales initiatives.
• Review product/service offerings, portfolio strategies, existing brands positioning and identify gaps and implement improvements.
• Manage geographical expansions, when required, preparing and successfully implementing market entrance strategies.
• Manage efficiency and ensure profitable growth.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic vision

Entrepreneurship motivation

Fluency in English

Fluency in German

Fluent English

Fluent German

Education

Executive MBA or MBA preferred

Job description

CEO/Entrepreneur through Acquisition – Novastone Capital Advisors

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm that solves succession challenges faced by Small to Medium‑Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Through our Operator‑Led Search Fund Program, we provide a structured and scalable solution for business succession, ensuring lasting success for all stakeholders. NCA is looking for motivated, talented, aspirational mid‑career professionals with the ambition to partner with NCA to search, acquire and lead a small or medium‑sized enterprise as Chief Executive Officer.

As a NCA Searcher, you will spearhead an up to 24‑month professional search to acquire one small‑to‑midsized company. Within the scope of our Operator‑Led Search Fund program, you will have access to financial and business support from NCA during the search, as well as an attractive incentive package in the form of a base compensation and vested shares in the acquired company that will further enhance and secure your entrepreneurial journey.

Please note that we do not invest in start‑up or scale‑up companies.

• Successful candidates will search, acquire and manage a company in Germany.
• We strongly recommend attending one of our Q&A sessions to learn more about the opportunity (registration is mandatory: https://webinar.novastone-ca.com/)

SEARCHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish together with us a search process aiming to generate sufficient deal flow with the ultimate goal of finding a business to acquire in accordance with pre‑defined criteria.
• Manage the acquisition process with the support of our experienced Investment Management team.
• Step into the CEO role of the newly acquired business.
• Proactively generate and evaluate strategic growth options and business opportunities, develop long‑term business strategy and 100‑day plans.
• Grow the business top line via impactful marketing and sales initiatives.
• Review product/service offerings, portfolio strategies, existing brands positioning and identify gaps and implement improvements.
• Manage geographical expansions, when required, preparing and successfully implementing market entrance strategies.
• Manage efficiency and ensure profitable growth.

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS

• 10+ years of professional experience.
• Academic achievement (Executive MBA or MBA degree preferred).
• Min. 5+ years in leadership roles managing multiple teams across multiple geographies and locations.
• Min. 10+ years of proven track record of running and growing businesses or business units in Germany.
• P&L responsibility.
• Having a strategic vision for a sector or an industry.
• Strong motivation towards entrepreneurship.
• Fluent in English and German.

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 Start‑up.
• Experience in global business development, international expansion.
• Recent successful business transformation experience.
• Open mind towards learning, people and even failure.

SELECTION PROCESS

• Selected candidates will participate in in‑depth interviews, take online assessments, complete and present a business case and undergo a jury review of their investment thesis over several weeks.
• Includes webinars and material for candidates to gather more information about the program and meet the NCA team.
• Final Assessment Center with the jury selection occurs in February 2026.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Management, Finance, and General Business

Industries

• Investment Management

We are 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.

For more information on the program, our application and selection process please refer to our website www.novastone-ca.com.