CEO/Entrepreneur through Acquisition

Novastone Capital Advisors; Düsseldorf; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base compensation and vested shares

Job summary

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is seeking a motivated mid-career professional to partner in searching, acquiring, and leading a SME as Chief Executive Officer in Germany. The role includes a structured 24-month search, access to financial and business support, base compensation and vested shares in the acquired company.

Successful candidates will search for and manage a German business, benefiting from an entrepreneurial path with an equity incentive package and strong support from NCA’s

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience
• Executive MBA or MBA degree preferred
• P&L responsibility and leadership across geographies

Responsibilities

• Establish a search process to generate deal flow meeting predefined criteria
• Lead acquisition processes with Investment Management support; manage end-to-end candidacy
• Step into CEO role for the acquired business
• Develop long-term strategy and 100-day plans for growth
• Grow top line via marketing and sales initiatives
• Review offerings, portfolio strategy, and branding; implement improvements
• Manage geographic expansions and market-entry strategies
• Drive efficiency and profitable growth across the organization

Skills

Leadership

Strategic vision

Entrepreneurship

Bilingual English/German

Education

MBA or Executive MBA

Job description

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm that solves succession challenges faced by Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Through our Operator-Led Buyout 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 – midsized company. Within the scope of our Operator-Led Buyout 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 companiesSuccessful 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,

SEARCHER RESPONSIBILITIESE

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 criteriaManage the acquisition process with the support of our experienced Investment Management teamStep into the CEO role of the newly acquired businessProactively generate and evaluate strategic growth options and business opportunities, develop long term business strategy and 100-day plansGrow the business top line via impactful marketing and sales initiativesReview product/service offerings, portfolio strategies, existing brands positioning and identify gaps and implement improvementsManage geographical expansions, when required, preparing and successfully implementing market entrance strategiesManage efficiency and ensure profitable growth

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS

10+ years of professional experienceAcademic achievement (Executive MBA or MBA degree preferred)Min. 5+ years in leadership roles managing multiple teams across multiple geographies and locationsMin. 10+ years of proven track record of running and growing businesses or business units in Germany.P&L responsibilityHaving a strategic vision for a sector or an industryStrong motivation towards entrepreneurshipFluent in English and German

NICE-TO-HAVE REQUIREMENTS

M&A experienceConsulting experience from a top consulting firmExperience managing and operating an SMEOwner, Founder or co-Founder of a Start-upExperience in global business development, international expansionRecent successful business transformation experienceOpen mind towards learning, people and even failure

SELECTION PROCESS

Selected candidates will have in depth interviews, will take online assessments, will complete and present a business case and will have a jury review of their investment thesis over several weeksAlso includes webinars and material for candidates to gather more information about the program and meet the NCA teamFinal Assessment Center with the jury selection happens in April 2026

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.