CEO – MBI Program (Operating Partner) – Italy

All Interests Aligned; Milano; In loco; EUR 150.000 - 210.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

All Interests Aligned seeks a seasoned executive to join its MBI program as Chief Executive Officer (Operating Partner) for an Italy-based SME acquisition. You will lead the end-to-end process from origination to exit, taking a CEO-owner role backed by investors who are entrepreneurs themselves.

You will oversee acquisition targets in cash-flow positive segments, guide transitions, and drive value-driven growth with governance support and a long-term sustainability focus.

Competenze

• 5+ years in a general management role with full P&L accountability.
• 10–15 years of post-undergraduate professional experience.
• Hands-on operating background; not suited for roles without P&L accountability.
• Industry expertise aligned with investment priorities and SME growth.
• Strong regional insight, local language proficiency, and business network.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with resilience and resourcefulness.
• Emotional readiness for leadership and growth execution.
• Balanced ambition with humility and drive.

Mansioni

• Origination: identify potential acquisition targets and build a viable pipeline with strategic support.
• Deal closing: coordinate due diligence, valuation, and deal structuring with investors.
• Transition: assume CEO role with a structured handover and stakeholder relationship-building.
• Operation: lead growth, governance, and governance-aligned reporting with the support team.
• Exit: plan and execute an exit strategy to maximize value and sustainability.
• Manage multi-stage MBI program processes and ensure alignment with investment thesis.

Conoscenze

General management with P&L

Hands-on operator

Industry expertise

Local language & culture fluency

Entrepreneurial mindset

Emotional readiness for leadership

Balanced ambition

Descrizione del lavoro

Italy has one of Europe's highest concentrations of family-owned SMEs approaching a generational handover with no successor in place, and one of the strongest track records of operators stepping in to lead that transition.

This is an Italy-based CEO role, we're looking for candidates with deep, established professional roots in Italy's business community.

As a Chief Executive Officer (Operating Partner) in All Interests

Aligned's (AIA) Management Buy-In (MBI) Program, you will lead the acquisition and management of a high-potential, family-owned SME in Italy facing a succession challenge. Unlike a traditional job, this is a unique career path, offering you the opportunity to become a CEO-owner of a business, with the backing of investors who are successful entrepreneurs themselves.

Working closely with AIA, you'll experience a fully-supported journey across all stages of the MBI process:

Origination: Identify and assess potential acquisition targets with AIA's financial and strategic support. During this phase, you will be compensated, ensuring financial stability while you focus on building your acquisition pipeline.

Deal Closing: Partner with AIA's investment professionals who lead due diligence, valuation, and deal structuring to secure the acquisition.

Transition: Take on the CEO role, with a structured transition plan that includes leadership handover and relationship-building with key stakeholders.

Operation: Lead the company's operations, supported by AIA's team in governance, reporting, and compliance to create and execute a value-driven growth plan.

Exit: Prepare and execute an exit strategy in partnership with AIA, maximizing returns and ensuring a sustainable future for the business.

AIA's investment focus is on cash-flow positive, owner-operated SMEs across industries such as:

• Consumer Products (F&B only)
• Facility operations, maintenance, service & repair
• Transportation & logistics
• Health services, wellness & nutrition

Ideal acquisition targets meet the following criteria

• Enterprise sales of between €10–40 million
• Consistent history of generating free cash flow (minimum 10% of sales)
• Established or stable growth, with a strong competitive position in underserved markets

These investment standards ensure that each acquisition aligns with AIA's mission to solve the SME succession crisis in Europe.

Selection Process

Admission to the AIA MBI Program is rigorous, ensuring a strong fit between future CEOs and AIA's mission. The multi-stage process includes leadership assessments, in-depth interviews, a business case, development of an investment thesis, and a final presentation to a panel of AIA leaders and external experts. The selection process typically spans 15–17 weeks, requiring 35–40 hours of preparation.

Job Requirements

• Experience: A minimum of 5 years in a general management role with full P&L accountability, not just influence over it: if the business goes south, the consequences are yours to carry, not a superior's. Combined with at least 10–15 years of post-undergraduate professional experience.
• Operating background required: This program is built for hands-on operators. It isn't a fit for candidates whose background is primarily in financial services, banking, private equity, or consulting without direct, operating P&L accountability.
• Industry Expertise: A proven track record of success and deep domain knowledge in a sector that aligns with AIA's investment thesis and strategic priorities, across various business types (corporates and SMEs).
• Local Anchorage: Strong regional insight with fluency in local language and business culture, supported by a deep understanding of the economy and a well-established network in the chosen geography.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Demonstrate resilience, resourcefulness, and the ability to navigate and overcome significant business challenges to achieve strong outcomes.
• Emotional Readiness: Prepared to take on a leadership role, with clarity of purpose, a strong vision for growth, and a commitment to making a lasting impact.
• Balanced Ambition: A combination of humility and strong personal drive, anchored by a clear understanding of how partnering with AIA can accelerate both individual and business success through purposeful collaboration.