Operations Associate

Ag 1 Source; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ag 1 Source is seeking an Operations Associate to partner with portfolio company leadership and investment teams in Chicago. This role blends strategy and hands-on execution to drive performance, growth, and value creation across a diverse PE portfolio.

You will lead cross-functional initiatives, build scalable processes, and translate data into actionable insights for executive teams, contributing to post-acquisition integration and ongoing performance management.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in consulting, private equity, corporate strategy, or operational leadership roles.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive measurable business impact.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a hands-on, execution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to build credibility with senior stakeholders and operate in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Partner with portfolio company leadership and investment teams to drive operational and financial improvements.
• Lead and execute key value creation initiatives including revenue growth, cost optimization, and process enhancement.
• Support post-acquisition integration efforts and establish performance management frameworks.
• Build and implement KPI dashboards, reporting tools, and operating cadences.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency, organizational design, and strategic execution.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive teams, helping translate data into actionable insights.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Project management

Willingness to travel

Job description

Operations Associate (Private Equity Portfolio Support)

Location: Chicago, IL

We are partnering with an outstanding, high-growth, middle-market private equity firm to add a key member to its internal operations team. This group acts as the firm's in-house value creation engine- working directly with executive teams across a diverse portfolio to drive performance, accelerate growth, and support transformational initiatives.

This is a highly visible role offering a unique blend of strategy and execution, with exposure to multiple businesses and leadership teams. It's an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, building scalable processes, and making a tangible impact in a private equity environment.

What You'll Do

• Partner with portfolio company leadership and investment teams to drive operational and financial improvements
• Lead and execute key value creation initiatives including revenue growth, cost optimization, and process enhancement
• Support post-acquisition integration efforts and establish performance management frameworks
• Build and implement KPI dashboards, reporting tools, and operating cadences
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency, organizational design, and strategic execution
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive teams, helping translate data into actionable insights

What We're Looking For

• 5-10 years of experience in consulting, private equity, corporate strategy, or operational leadership roles
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive measurable business impact
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a hands-on, execution-oriented mindset
• Ability to build credibility with senior stakeholders and operate in fast-paced environments
• Excellent communication and project management skills
• Willingness to travel as needed

Why This Role

• Direct exposure to private equity investing and value creation
• Opportunity to work across multiple industries and business models
• Clear path toward leadership roles within portfolio companies
• High-impact, high-visibility position within a growing platform

*Candidates must be eligible to work in the US as well as meet the qualifications listed above in order to be considered for the Operations Associate job.