Platform CEO: Build & Scale with Equity & PE Backing

East 57th Street Partners; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 700,000 - 770,000; Full time

Job summary

East 57th Street Partners seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead a newly formed platform company in the Chicago metro area. The CEO will own P&L, build the leadership team, and drive growth through disciplined M&A and operational scaling in a PE-backed environment.

The role offers meaningful equity participation and a long-term value creation mandate, with a focus on creating a scalable platform from inception and delivering EBITDA improvements and strategic exits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a CEO/President or senior operator in a private equity-backed or high-growth environment.
• Demonstrated success leading M&A-driven growth strategies, including integration.
• Experience building or scaling a platform business from an early stage.

Responsibilities

• Establish the vision, operating model, and strategic roadmap for the platform.
• Build and lead the executive team, including partnering with an identified CFO, hiring a Head of IT / Systems, and hiring a Head of HR / People.
• Lead the full lifecycle of acquisitions: sourcing, diligence, execution, and integration; partner with sponsor on pipeline development.

Skills

CEO experience

M&A leadership

Private equity experience

Platform-building

Leadership team building

Financial acumen

Job description

East 57th Street Partners seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead a newly formed platform company in the Chicago metro area. The CEO will own P&L, build the leadership team, and drive growth through disciplined M&A and operational scaling in a PE-backed environment.

The role offers meaningful equity participation and a long-term value creation mandate, with a focus on creating a scalable platform from inception and delivering EBITDA improvements and strategic exits.