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CEO Through Acquisition USA / Canada Q3 2025 - Job Opportunity at Novastone Capital Advisors GmbH

Baar, Switzerland
Full-time
Executive
Posted: July 19, 2025
Hybrid
Total compensation during search phase typically ranges $150,000-$200,000 annually covering living expenses, with equity upside potential of $2-10+ million over 5-7 year investment horizon based on acquisition size ($5-50M enterprise value) and operational performance improvements achieved.

Benefits

Access to comprehensive financial backing and business support infrastructure during the 24-month search phase, providing unprecedented entrepreneurial security compared to traditional startup ventures
Substantial equity participation through vested shares in the acquired company, offering direct wealth creation potential tied to business performance and growth
Base compensation package during search phase that covers living expenses, eliminating personal financial risk during the acquisition process
Professional development through partnership with experienced investment teams and access to institutional-grade deal sourcing and evaluation resources
Geographic flexibility to operate in either US or Canadian markets based on personal expertise and market opportunities
Comprehensive training and support in M&A processes, business strategy development, and operational excellence methodologies

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive market analysis and deal sourcing activities to generate qualified acquisition opportunities within predetermined investment criteria, directly impacting the success of a multi-million dollar investment program
Execute complex acquisition processes including due diligence, valuation analysis, and negotiation strategies with support from institutional investment professionals
Assume full executive leadership responsibility for acquired business operations, driving strategic vision and operational excellence across all business functions
Develop and implement transformational growth strategies including market expansion, product development, and digital transformation initiatives to maximize enterprise value
Drive revenue optimization through innovative marketing strategies, sales process enhancement, and customer acquisition programs that directly impact bottom-line performance
Establish high-performance organizational culture focused on innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth while managing multi-location teams
Lead comprehensive business portfolio analysis to identify market gaps, competitive advantages, and strategic repositioning opportunities
Spearhead new product development initiatives from concept through market launch, including go-to-market strategy formulation and commercial execution
Execute geographic expansion strategies including market entry analysis, local partnership development, and operational scaling across new territories
Optimize operational efficiency and profitability through strategic cost management, process improvement, and performance optimization initiatives

Requirements

Education

Executive MBA or MBA degree preferred

Experience

10+ years of professional experience with minimum 5+ years in leadership roles managing multiple teams across multiple geographies and locations, and minimum 5+ years of proven track record of running and growing businesses or large business units

Required Skills

P&L responsibility Strategic vision for a sector or an industry Strong motivation towards entrepreneurship Fluent in English Lived and worked in the US or Canada for the last 10 years 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
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The search fund industry has experienced significant growth with over 500 active searchers globally as of 2024, driven by the massive wave of baby boomer business owners seeking succession solutions for their SMEs. This demographic shift represents a $10+ trillion wealth transfer opportunity over the next decade, creating unprecedented deal flow for qualified acquisition entrepreneurs. Private equity and institutional capital allocation toward operator-led acquisition strategies has increased substantially, with search funds achieving median IRRs of 15-25% historically, making this model increasingly attractive to both investors and operators seeking entrepreneurial opportunities with institutional backing. Cross-border M&A activity between US, Canadian, and European markets has accelerated post-pandemic, with Swiss-based advisory firms particularly well-positioned to facilitate transatlantic deals due to Switzerland's neutral regulatory environment and sophisticated financial infrastructure. Digital transformation acceleration has created significant value creation opportunities in traditional SMEs, with technology-enabled operational improvements and e-commerce expansion driving premium valuations for businesses that successfully implement digital strategies.

Role Significance

Typical acquired companies employ 50-500 people across multiple locations, requiring leadership of senior management teams including CFOs, COOs, and departmental VPs. The role involves managing both direct reports at the C-level and indirect leadership of hundreds of employees through organizational transformation.
This represents the pinnacle executive leadership role with full P&L authority and strategic decision-making responsibility for enterprise-level operations. The position combines private equity partnership elements with CEO operational authority, requiring proven ability to lead complex organizations through transformational growth phases.

Key Projects

Complete business transformation including digital modernization, operational efficiency programs, and market expansion initiatives Strategic acquisitions and integration of complementary businesses to drive consolidation and scale advantages International market entry and geographic expansion projects requiring regulatory navigation and local partnership development New product/service development and launch programs including market research, development investment, and go-to-market execution

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to rapidly assess and understand complex business operations across diverse industries, with proven track record of identifying value creation opportunities and executing strategic improvements within 100-day implementation timeframes. Exceptional leadership and change management capabilities required to guide established organizations through ownership transition and operational transformation while maintaining employee engagement and customer relationships during periods of significant change. Strong financial acumen including advanced understanding of corporate finance, M&A processes, and private equity value creation methodologies, with ability to work effectively with institutional investors and board-level stakeholders. Cultural adaptability and international business experience essential for navigating cross-border regulatory requirements, managing diverse stakeholder relationships, and implementing best practices across different business environments. Entrepreneurial mindset combined with institutional discipline, balancing aggressive growth objectives with risk management and operational excellence standards required by institutional investors and regulatory compliance.

Market Demand

Extremely high demand with highly selective acceptance rates (typically 1-3% of applicants), driven by institutional capital seeking experienced operators capable of executing complex SME acquisitions and driving operational value creation in competitive middle-market segments.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

P&L management experience is absolutely essential as this role involves complete financial responsibility for business operations typically generating $10-100M in annual revenue, requiring sophisticated understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and performance optimization across complex organizational structures. Proven leadership experience managing geographically distributed teams is critical given the multi-location nature of typical acquisition targets, requiring advanced skills in remote team management, cultural integration, and performance management across diverse operational environments. Strategic business development capabilities are fundamental to success, as the role requires identifying and executing growth opportunities including market expansion, product development, and operational improvements that directly impact enterprise valuation and investment returns. M&A and corporate finance expertise provides significant competitive advantage in deal evaluation, due diligence execution, and post-acquisition integration planning, skills that are essential for success in the institutional investment environment.

Beneficial Skills

Consulting experience from top-tier firms provides valuable frameworks for business analysis, strategic planning, and operational improvement that translate directly to value creation opportunities in acquired companies, while also demonstrating ability to work effectively with senior executives and board-level stakeholders. Previous startup or SME operational experience offers practical understanding of resource-constrained environments and entrepreneurial decision-making that is highly relevant to the challenges of acquiring and scaling smaller businesses in competitive markets. International business development experience becomes increasingly valuable as acquired companies pursue geographic expansion opportunities, providing practical knowledge of regulatory requirements, cultural considerations, and market entry strategies across different jurisdictions. Digital transformation experience is particularly valuable in today's market environment, as many SME acquisition opportunities involve businesses that can benefit significantly from technology adoption and digital modernization initiatives.

Unique Aspects

This opportunity represents a rare combination of entrepreneurial autonomy with institutional backing, providing the financial security and professional support typically unavailable to independent entrepreneurs while maintaining full operational control and significant equity upside potential.
The 24-month search phase with guaranteed living expense coverage eliminates the personal financial risk typically associated with entrepreneurial ventures, while providing access to professional deal sourcing networks and institutional-grade due diligence resources.
Geographic flexibility between US and Canadian markets provides strategic optionality based on industry expertise and market conditions, with the backing of Swiss institutional capital providing competitive advantages in cross-border transaction execution.
The highly selective application process (requiring multiple interview rounds, case studies, and assessment center evaluation) ensures exceptional peer group quality and provides validation of candidate capabilities that enhances future career opportunities regardless of program outcomes.

Career Growth

Typical progression timeline spans 5-7 years for initial acquisition execution and value creation, with potential for significant wealth generation and career advancement within 3-5 years post-acquisition based on operational performance and market conditions.

Potential Next Roles

Serial entrepreneur pursuing multiple search fund acquisitions or launching independent private equity platform focused on SME investments Operating partner or principal roles at established private equity firms specializing in middle-market transactions and operational value creation C-suite executive positions at larger portfolio companies within private equity or strategic corporate environments Independent business owner retaining long-term ownership stake in successfully scaled acquisition, potentially pursuing additional acquisitions or strategic exits

Company Overview

Novastone Capital Advisors GmbH

Novastone Capital Advisors operates as a specialized investment advisory firm focusing exclusively on operator-led search fund programs, representing a niche but rapidly growing segment of the private equity ecosystem. Based in Switzerland's favorable regulatory environment, the firm provides institutional infrastructure and capital access to experienced executives seeking entrepreneurial opportunities through SME acquisitions.

NCA occupies a distinctive position in the European search fund market, leveraging Switzerland's strategic location and financial infrastructure to facilitate cross-border transactions between European capital and North American operating opportunities. The firm's selective approach and institutional backing provide significant competitive advantages in deal sourcing and execution.
While headquartered in Switzerland, NCA's program specifically targets US and Canadian market opportunities, reflecting the firm's strategy of combining European institutional capital with North American operational expertise and market access. This cross-continental approach provides unique arbitrage opportunities and risk diversification.
The organizational structure emphasizes partnership and collaboration between institutional investors and operating executives, with extensive support systems including deal sourcing assistance, financial backing, and strategic advisory services. The culture prioritizes long-term value creation over short-term financial engineering, aligning with SME acquisition strategies focused on operational excellence and sustainable growth.
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