CEO/Entrepreneur through Acquisition

Novastone Capital Advisors; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive compensation package

Access to financial and business support

Job summary

A global search fund firm in San Jose, California, is seeking experienced mid-career professionals to join as Chief Executive Officer. The role involves leading a comprehensive search to acquire a small to medium-sized enterprise, managing the acquisition process, and taking on the CEO responsibilities for the acquired business. Candidates should have extensive leadership experience and a strategic vision, demonstrating strong motivation for entrepreneurship. An attractive compensation package, including base salary and shares, is offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience, with a proven track record in leadership.
• Minimum 10+ years of running and growing businesses or business units in the US.
• P&L responsibility required.

Responsibilities

• Generate deal flow to find a business to acquire.
• Manage the acquisition process with investment team support.
• Step into the CEO role of the acquired business.

Skills

Leadership

Entrepreneurship

Strategic vision

M&A experience

Education

Executive MBA or 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 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 – 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 the US.
• 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 the US.
• P&L responsibility
• Having a strategic vision for a sector or an industry
• Strong motivation towards entrepreneurship

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 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 weeks
• Also includes webinars for candidates to gather more information about the program and meet the NCA team
• Final 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.