Chief Executive Officer

East 57th Street Partners; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance-based bonus

Significant equity participation

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

A private equity-sponsored HVAC company is looking for a Chief Executive Officer to lead its growth phase. This role includes full P&L ownership, executing the investment thesis, and delivering strong operational and financial results. The ideal candidate should have proven experience in HVAC or home services, strong financial management skills, and a history of successfully integrating M&A initiatives. Significant upside potential exists through competitive compensation, annual bonuses, and meaningful equity participation tied to company performance.

Qualifications

• Proven CEO, President, or senior operational executive experience in HVAC services or similar fields.
• Strong financial management skills with experience in EBITDA, cash flow, and KPI operations.
• Demonstrated ability to scale operations and integrate acquisitions.
• Strong financial acumen with EBITDA and cash flow management.
• Experience executing M&A and integrations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HVAC platform through its growth phase and professionalization.
• Establish a performance-driven culture with accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive operational effectiveness and improvements across all branches.
• Oversee acquisitions, integration, and post-close synergies.

Skills

Leadership in HVAC services

Financial acumen

Private equity experience

M&A integration

Operational excellence

Job description

Private Equity–Backed HVAC Platform Company

Travel: 30–50%

Reports To: Board of Directors (Private Equity Sponsor)

Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Annual Bonus + Meaningful Equity Participation

Company Overview

Our client is a private equity–backed HVAC platform company positioned for accelerated growth through organic expansion and add-on acquisitions. The business operates in a fragmented, recession-resilient market with strong demand fundamentals across residential and commercial services.

The PE sponsor is focused on building a scaled, operationally disciplined platform with professionalized leadership, standardized processes, and a clear value-creation roadmap targeting margin expansion, geographic growth, and a successful exit.

Role Overview

The Chief Executive Officer will lead the HVAC platform through its next phase of growth and professionalization. This executive will be accountable for full P&L ownership, execution of the investment thesis, and delivering operational and financial results aligned with the Board’s value-creation plan.

The CEO will work closely with the PE sponsor and Operating Partners while building a high-performance leadership team capable of scaling the organization through organic growth, acquisitions, and integration.

This role requires a hands-on operator with deep experience in service-based businesses and a proven ability to lead in private-equity environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and execute the company’s strategic plan in alignment with the PE sponsor’s investment thesis
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board, Operating Partners, and management team
• Establish a performance-driven culture focused on accountability, execution, and continuous improvement

Operational Excellence

• Drive operational consistency across branches and regions, including service delivery, dispatch, pricing, and technician productivity
• Implement scalable processes, KPIs, and operating rhythms across the organization
• Improve margins through labor efficiency, pricing discipline, procurement optimization, and cost controls

Growth & Market Expansion

• Lead organic growth initiatives including customer acquisition, retention, and cross-selling of services
• Oversee geographic expansion and greenfield opportunities where applicable
• Partner with marketing and sales leadership to drive demand generation and brand strength

M&A & Integration

• Partner with the PE sponsor on sourcing, diligencing, and integrating add-on acquisitions
• Ensure smooth post-acquisition integration, including systems, operations, culture, and leadership alignment
• Identify opportunities for synergy realization and performance uplift across acquired businesses

Financial Performance & Reporting

• Maintain full accountability for revenue growth, EBITDA expansion, and cash flow
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting processes
• Present clear, data-driven updates to the Board on performance, risks, and opportunities

Talent & Culture

• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing executive and operational leadership team
• Establish succession planning and leadership development across the organization
• Foster a culture of safety, customer service excellence, and operational discipline

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven CEO, President, or senior operational executive experience in HVAC, home services, facilities services, or multi-site field services
• Prior experience leading a private-equity-backed company strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success scaling operations in a fragmented, technician-driven environment
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing EBITDA, cash flow, and KPI-driven operations
• Experience executing M&A strategies and integrating add-on acquisitions
• High credibility with Boards, investors, and operating partners
• Willingness to be hands-on and travel regularly

Compensation & Incentives

• Performance-based annual bonus
• Meaningful equity participation aligned with value creation and exit outcomes

Why This Role

• Opportunity to lead and scale a PE-backed HVAC platform in a highly attractive sector
• Significant influence over strategy, operations, and long-term value creation
• Direct partnership with an experienced private equity sponsor
• Substantial upside through equity participation tied to exit success