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Operating partner

An operating partner is a senior executive role within private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) firms, dedicated to collaborating with portfolio companies to enhance operational performance, execute value creation strategies, and support the overall deal lifecycle from due diligence to exit.^[1] These professionals, often former CEOs, COOs, or industry experts, provide hands-on strategic guidance and operational expertise to help portfolio companies achieve growth, cost efficiencies, and risk mitigation.^[2] The role has evolved significantly since the early 2000s, shifting from a supplementary advisory function to a core component of PE value creation, driven by the increasing emphasis on operational improvements over traditional financial engineering.^[1] Since 2010, operations have accounted for 47% of PE value creation, a marked rise from 18% in the 1980s, reflecting limited partners' (LPs) demands for firms to build sophisticated operating teams with deep industry and functional knowledge.^[1] Operating partners typically engage in key responsibilities such as formulating and implementing strategic initiatives, serving on company boards, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), talent recruitment, and preparing businesses for successful exits like sales or initial public offerings (IPOs).^[2] Firms employ various models for operating partners, including full-time internal teams, part-time advisors, or external consultants, tailored to the scale and needs of the portfolio.^[3] Notable examples include KKR's Capstone team, established in 2000 to drive portfolio enhancements, and EQT's network of over 600 industrial advisors providing operational input.^[2] In practice, these partners focus on high-impact areas like mergers and acquisitions (M&A) integration—where poor execution can erode 30-50% of deal value—and performance optimization, such as achieving 5% year-over-year revenue growth or 20% new customer acquisition within six months.^[4] This hands-on approach is essential in today's environment of high valuations, economic volatility, and rapid technological change, enabling PE firms to accelerate transformations and deliver targeted internal rates of return (IRRs).^[4]

Definition and Context

Definition

An operating partner is a senior executive or advisor within private equity (PE) or venture capital (VC) firms who leverages hands-on operational expertise to improve the performance and value of portfolio companies, distinguishing this role from traditional financial or deal-making positions focused on investment sourcing and structuring.^[3]^[5]^[6] These professionals typically engage across the investment lifecycle, from due diligence to exit, providing strategic counsel on growth initiatives, cost optimization, and risk management to align portfolio operations with the firm's value creation thesis.^[1]^[2] Key characteristics of operating partners include a strong emphasis on execution-oriented strategies such as scaling operations, implementing turnaround plans, and fostering operational efficiencies, often drawing from their backgrounds as former CEOs, COOs, or industry specialists.^[2]^[7] Unlike limited partners who provide capital without direct involvement, operating partners are not formal equity holders in the traditional sense but contribute through active advisory or interim management roles.^[5] Their compensation structure commonly features a base salary, performance-based bonuses, and in some cases carried interest, though typically at levels below those of general partners handling investment decisions.^[3] This setup incentivizes alignment with portfolio success while maintaining a focus on non-financial, operational enhancements. Terminology for this role varies across firms and contexts, with equivalents including "operating executive," "portfolio operations partner," or simply "operations team," all underscoring a dedication to operational rather than investment decision-making.^[1]^[2]^[5] Within the broader private equity ecosystem, operating partners serve as in-house specialists bridging the gap between investment theses and practical execution in portfolio companies.^[6]

Historical Evolution

The role of the operating partner in private equity originated during the leveraged buyout (LBO) era of the 1980s, when firms began shifting from a primary reliance on financial engineering—which accounted for approximately 51% of value creation—to incorporating operational improvements, contributing about 18% at the time.^[1]^[8] This evolution was driven by the recognition that sustainable value required hands-on business enhancements beyond debt restructuring, with early pioneers like Clayton, Dubilier & Rice establishing models that integrated industry executives for operational guidance as early as 1978.^[2] By the 1990s, as private equity matured amid the post-LBO boom, firms such as TPG launched dedicated operating teams in 1995, while KKR formalized its Capstone group in 2000 to focus on growth and management efficiencies; Bain Capital emerged as an additional early adopter during this period.^[2] The 2000s marked significant growth for the operating partner role, particularly following the dot-com bust, as private equity firms formalized operational support to address heightened scrutiny on value creation amid economic uncertainty.^[8] The 2008 global financial crisis accelerated this trend, compelling firms to prioritize turnaround expertise and operational resilience; those with dedicated value-creation teams, akin to operating partners, achieved internal rates of return (IRRs) of 23% during the recession period, compared to 18% for firms without such resources, and experienced less disruption in subsequent fundraising.^[9] By 2010, operational contributions had risen to 47% of total value creation in buyouts, surpassing financial engineering's share, which declined to 25%.^[1]^[2] From the 2010s onward, the operating partner role expanded to encompass the full deal lifecycle, from diligence to exit, influenced by regulatory changes such as the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, which heightened demands for operational due diligence and transparency in private equity portfolios.^[10] By the late 2010s, most large private equity firms had adopted operating partner programs, integrating technology-driven transformations like digital infrastructure scaling and AI applications, with nearly 85% of general partners anticipating significant impacts from AI on value creation.^[2]^[11] Concurrently, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors became embedded in operations, evolving from compliance to a core value driver; the number of private equity signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment surged from 155 in 2010 to over 2,000 by the mid-2020s, reflecting broader industry emphasis on sustainability.^[11] As of 2025, operating partners increasingly focus on AI-driven transformations and resilience strategies to address ongoing economic volatility, high interest rates, and geopolitical risks.^[12]

Roles and Responsibilities

Core Duties

Operating partners in private equity firms primarily focus on enhancing the operational efficiency of portfolio companies through targeted interventions. A key aspect of their role involves operational oversight, where they implement cost-reduction strategies by identifying and eliminating non-essential expenses, such as optimizing procurement processes to achieve significant savings in operating costs.^[13] They also prioritize supply chain optimization, for instance, by streamlining logistics and vendor relationships to reduce lead times and inventory holding costs, often drawing on expertise in lean manufacturing techniques.^[14] Process improvements are executed via diagnostic audits that assess current workflows for inefficiencies, such as conducting thorough reviews of the previous owner's operating model to uncover opportunities for automation or standardization, thereby boosting overall productivity.^[14]^[15] In terms of performance enhancement, operating partners drive revenue growth by developing sales enablement programs that train teams on advanced techniques, resulting in improved conversion rates and market share gains.^[16] They implement customer retention programs, such as loyalty initiatives and feedback mechanisms, to increase repeat business and lifetime value.^[17] Market expansion tactics include guiding companies into new geographies or segments through strategic partnerships and digital tools, with examples like adopting sophisticated pricing strategies to capture premium margins in underserved markets. As of 2024, this increasingly involves leveraging artificial intelligence and digital transformation to enhance growth strategies.^[14]^[1]^[1] Crisis management forms another critical duty, particularly in handling turnarounds for underperforming assets by restructuring operations, such as divesting non-core units or renegotiating contracts to stabilize cash flows.^[13] Operating partners navigate mergers by facilitating integration efforts, including aligning cultures and systems to minimize disruptions and realize synergies, often leading to significant EBITDA improvements.^[14] In distressed scenarios, they conduct rapid assessments to implement recovery plans, such as cost controls during economic downturns, ensuring business continuity. Recent trends as of 2025 also emphasize incorporating sustainability and ESG factors in turnaround strategies.^[16]^[18] For reporting and metrics, operating partners establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress, including EBITDA margins, calculated as EBITDA divided by total revenue multiplied by 100 to express profitability as a percentage.^[14] They also track operational ROI, defined by the formula Operational ROI = (Net Operational Gains / Investment in Changes) × 100, where net gains represent incremental profits from initiatives minus baseline, and investments include costs of implementation; this metric is reviewed quarterly through dashboards to evaluate the financial impact of changes.^[1] These KPIs are tracked via regular portfolio reviews and real-time data tools, with monthly reporting to align efforts and adjust strategies as needed.^[15]

Engagement Models

Operating partners in private equity firms engage with portfolio companies through structured models that vary based on the firm's size, investment strategy, and resource allocation. These models typically balance internal expertise with external support to optimize operational value creation across the investment lifecycle.^[1] Engagement can occur on a full-time or part-time basis, with full-time models embedding operating partners as dedicated in-house staff who allocate substantial time across multiple portfolio companies to provide ongoing strategic and execution support. In contrast, part-time or fractional models deploy operating partners as advisors for specific deals or phases, allowing flexibility for sector-specific expertise without full commitment. For instance, firms like KKR employ full-time embedded teams through groups such as Capstone, while others like Carlyle utilize fractional operating executives on an as-needed basis. Hybrid approaches, common in mid-market private equity, combine in-house generalists with external specialists to scale resources efficiently.^[19]^[2]^[1] Involvement spans key phases of the investment cycle, beginning with pre-acquisition due diligence where operating partners conduct operational assessments to inform value creation plans and mitigate risks. Post-acquisition, they drive implementation through initiatives like 100-day plans focused on rapid operational improvements, cost optimization, and growth acceleration. Toward exit, their efforts shift to value maximization, preparing companies for sale by enhancing performance metrics and governance structures. This phased approach ensures alignment with the firm's overall investment thesis.^[1]^[2]^[19] Collaboration dynamics emphasize integration with investment teams and portfolio leadership, with operating partners typically reporting to managing partners or deal teams while serving on boards or as interim executives to foster trust and execution. They often integrate with external consultants for specialized tasks, such as functional overhauls, to augment internal capabilities without expanding headcount. In hybrid models, this involves balancing advisory roles with hands-on management, particularly in mid-market firms where resources are constrained. Effective collaboration relies on influencing skills to align stakeholders, including deal partners and CEOs, around operational priorities.^[20]^[1]^[2] To achieve scalability, operating partners employ standardized frameworks like playbooks—reusable toolkits for operational diagnostics, process improvements, and performance tracking—that enable repeatable engagements across diverse portfolios. Centralized models, such as those at Bain Capital's Portfolio Group, use these frameworks to support over 115 professionals in applying consistent methodologies firm-wide. Functional specialists, often in fractional roles, further enhance scalability by deploying templated interventions in areas like procurement or sales, allowing firms to address multiple companies efficiently without bespoke solutions for each.^[19]^[2]^[1]

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Expertise

Operating partners require deep industry-specific knowledge to effectively guide portfolio companies through sector-unique challenges and opportunities. In manufacturing, this includes expertise in lean manufacturing principles, which emphasize waste reduction and continuous improvement to enhance production efficiency. Similarly, in the technology sector, familiarity with SaaS scaling metrics—such as customer acquisition costs, churn rates, and lifetime value—is essential for optimizing growth in software-as-a-service models. Healthcare operating partners, for instance, must understand regulatory compliance and supply chain dynamics to navigate complex operational environments. This domain expertise enables targeted interventions that align with industry benchmarks and trends.^[1]^[4]^[6] Functional skills form the operational backbone for operating partners, encompassing proficiency in key areas like finance, human resources, and information technology. In finance, expertise in budgeting and financial planning and analysis (FP&A) allows for precise cost management and performance tracking in portfolio companies. Human resources competencies include talent acquisition strategies to build high-performing teams, often involving recruitment frameworks tailored to rapid scaling needs. For IT, knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems implementation ensures seamless integration of technology to support business processes, such as inventory management or customer relationship management. These skills enable operating partners to drive cross-functional improvements across the deal lifecycle.^[4]^[1] Soft skills are equally critical, with leadership and change management at the forefront to foster organizational transformation. Effective leadership involves guiding teams through operational shifts, while change management techniques—such as structured communication plans and resistance mitigation—help secure internal buy-in for initiatives. Stakeholder communication, including negotiation tactics like building consensus through data-driven dialogue, ensures alignment between portfolio management, investors, and boards. Emotional intelligence underpins these abilities, facilitating relationship building and strategic influence in high-stakes environments.^[1]^[20]^[6] Familiarity with established frameworks and certifications enhances an operating partner's toolkit for measurable operational enhancements. Six Sigma certification, particularly at the Green Belt or Black Belt levels, equips professionals with methodologies for process improvement, focusing on reducing defects and variability to achieve near-perfect quality levels. Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), a goal-setting framework popularized by companies like Google, structures objectives as ambitious goals paired with measurable key results to track progress and align teams—typically set quarterly to promote agility and accountability. These tools allow operating partners to implement standardized approaches to value creation in diverse portfolio settings.^[21]^[22]^[23]

Typical Backgrounds

Operating partners in private equity typically emerge from two primary career trajectories: senior executive roles in industry and management consulting. Many hail from C-suite positions, such as CEOs, COOs, or CFOs, in companies akin to those targeted by private equity portfolios, particularly in the lower to middle markets.^[24] This path leverages hands-on leadership experience in scaling businesses and driving operational improvements.^[2] A significant portion also transition from top-tier consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain, or BCG, where they specialize in operational transformations and strategy implementation.^[24] This route is more prevalent in larger private equity firms, where consultants bring analytical rigor and cross-industry insights to portfolio management.^[25] These backgrounds equip individuals with the essential expertise in operational strategy and value creation required for the role. Transitions to operating partner positions often occur mid-career, following 10 to 20 years of professional experience in relevant fields.^[26] Recruitment heavily relies on established networks within private equity circles, facilitating connections between firms and proven executives.^[27] Private equity firms frequently engage executive search firms for headhunting, prioritizing candidates with demonstrated track records in enhancing company performance and generating returns.^[28] Diversity in operating partner backgrounds has expanded since 2015, with greater inclusion of women and professionals from underrepresented groups amid industry-wide efforts to broaden talent pools.^[29] As of 2023, women comprised 25 percent of operating roles in private equity globally, though representation remains lower at senior levels compared to entry positions.^[30]

Value and Impact

Strategic Contributions

Operating partners play a pivotal role in deal sourcing and due diligence within private equity firms by leveraging their operational expertise to identify potential investment targets and assess associated risks. They contribute to sourcing by highlighting the firm's value-creation capabilities to prospective sellers and limited partners, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of deals through targeted marketing of operational strengths. In diligence, operating partners provide strategic insights to evaluate operational opportunities and risks in target companies, collaborating with management teams to align early assessments with long-term value potential. This involvement helps refine investment theses for sector-specific strategies, such as focusing on industries ripe for digital disruption.^[1] At the firm level, operating partners advise on portfolio construction and overall strategy, guiding decisions on diversification and thematic investing to optimize returns and mitigate risks. They recommend approaches to portfolio diversification by drawing on cross-sector experience, such as applying infrastructure efficiencies from one area to another like EV charging networks. For thematic investing, they emphasize integration of trends like AI into operational frameworks, positioning the firm to capitalize on subsector growth areas such as sustainability or digital transformation. This advisory input ensures that investment strategies are operationally feasible and aligned with market dynamics.^[1]^[31] Operating partners also drive innovation by guiding the adoption of emerging technologies and participating in board-level governance to steer portfolio companies toward competitive advantages. They advocate for AI-driven analytics and other tools to enhance operational decision-making, serving as a bridge between investment teams and company leadership to implement innovative practices. In governance roles, they foster strategic oversight on boards, ensuring that operational innovations support broader firm objectives like resilience through ESG integration.^[32]^[33]^[31] To ensure long-term alignment, operating partners align operational strategies with exit objectives, such as preparing companies for IPOs or strategic sales by building scalable processes and governance structures. They emphasize sustained collaboration across deal teams and portfolio management to maintain trust and adaptability throughout the investment cycle, ultimately supporting higher exit valuations through operationally robust preparations. This forward-looking advisory role helps firms navigate evolving market conditions toward successful realizations.^[34]^[1]

Measurable Outcomes

Operating partners demonstrably elevate private equity portfolio performance through targeted interventions. A 2023 analysis by France Invest and EY of French private equity fund exits in 2020 and 2021 revealed that companies supported by operating partners experienced average EBITDA growth of 23.2% over the holding period, compared to 11.9% for unsupported companies, yielding an uplift of 11.3 percentage points.^[35] Similarly, internal rate of return (IRR) reached 30.1% with operating partner involvement versus 22.5% without, representing a 7.6 percentage point improvement.^[35] These figures underscore the role of operating partners in driving operational efficiencies and revenue acceleration, often aligning with broader industry observations of 20-30% EBITDA growth in actively engaged portfolio firms.^[36] Compared to non-operational private equity strategies, portfolios leveraging operating partners consistently deliver superior returns. The aforementioned French study highlights a 34% higher cash-on-cash multiple (3.6x versus 2.6x) for operating partner-engaged exits, illustrating outperformance against baseline buy-and-hold approaches that rely more on market multiples.^[35] Historical benchmarks reinforce this: during the 2009-2013 recession, private equity firms with dedicated value creation teams—functionally similar to operating partner models—achieved an average IRR of 23%, exceeding the 18% IRR of firms without such capabilities by 5 percentage points.^[37] Proactive operational interventions by operating partners also mitigate risks, including a noted reduction in portfolio default rates. McKinsey analysis of over 100 funds with post-2020 vintages indicates that general partners prioritizing operational improvements realize 2-3 percentage points higher IRR, partly through enhanced risk management that curbs defaults by up to 15% via early interventions.^[38] Such measures address vulnerabilities in portfolio companies, stabilizing cash flows and reducing exposure to economic downturns. In the long term, operating partner engagement fosters enhanced exit multiples and sustained post-exit performance. The France Invest and EY study documented higher exit valuations driven by robust EBITDA trajectories, with operating partner-supported companies achieving sales growth of 18.3% (versus 10.3% without), directly boosting multiples at sale.^[35] This operational foundation enables enduring value, as evidenced by top-quartile funds where operational improvements account for around 51% of total value creation, supporting resilient outcomes beyond the holding period.^[39]

Notable Examples

Prominent Individuals

Joseph L. Rice III stands as a foundational figure in the development of the operating partner role, co-founding Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) in 1978 and emphasizing operational involvement from the firm's inception. Rice's approach integrated seasoned executives into portfolio companies to execute strategic improvements, distinguishing CD&R from peers focused primarily on financial structuring during the 1980s and 1990s buyout boom. His leadership helped pioneer the model where operating partners actively manage value creation, influencing the industry's shift toward hands-on governance in investments like Hertz and Kinko's.^[40]^[41] In the contemporary landscape, Tony Bates exemplifies the transition of tech executives into operating roles, serving as CEO of Growth at Social Capital from 2017 to 2018. Drawing on his prior positions as Skype CEO and Microsoft president, Bates provided operational guidance to growth-stage technology firms, advising on scaling infrastructure and enterprise strategies to support rapid expansion.^[42] Anne Arlinghaus has been a key leader in operational value creation since joining KKR in 2008 as a Partner and Co-Head of Capstone in the Americas. She oversees teams that implement efficiency programs across private equity portfolios, particularly in financial services and technology, fostering sustainable growth through targeted interventions like supply chain optimization and digital transformation.^[43]^[44] Sharmistha "Shar" Dubey highlights diversity in the field as an Operating Partner at Advent International since 2022, following her tenure as CEO of Match Group. Leveraging her expertise in consumer technology and digital platforms, Dubey contributes to building Advent's practice in this area, collaborating on investments to enhance product innovation and user engagement in media and tech companies.^[45] These individuals have collectively advanced industry standards, with pioneers like Rice establishing operational integration in the 1980s and later figures such as Arlinghaus promoting data analytics in post-acquisition strategies after 2010 to drive measurable performance gains.^[41]^[44]

Organizational Case Studies

One prominent example of operating partners' impact involves Blackstone's acquisition of Hilton Hotels in 2007 for approximately $26 billion, where the firm's Portfolio Operations group played a key role in driving operational efficiencies and global expansion.^[46] During the holding period from 2007 to 2018, Blackstone implemented strategies to enhance Hilton's operational efficiency, including restructuring debt, optimizing asset management, and accelerating international growth, which transformed the company amid the 2008 financial crisis.^[47] These efforts resulted in a successful IPO in 2013 and full exit by 2018, generating $14 billion in profit and achieving a 3x multiple on the initial investment.^[48] In the case of KKR's 2007 leveraged buyout of Alliance Boots for £10.6 billion ($22 billion), operating partners focused on supply chain optimizations and operational restructuring to enhance value creation.^[49] Key initiatives included streamlining supply chain management, closing underperforming stores, and expanding into emerging markets, which improved profitability and positioned the company for strategic growth. These operational enhancements contributed to a series of successful exits, including a 2012 joint venture with Walgreens that valued the company at over £10 billion and a 2014 sale of KKR's remaining stake for approximately £9 billion, delivering substantial returns.^[50]^[51] By 2025, Thoma Bravo exemplified the evolving role of operating partners in software portfolios, particularly through integrations in cybersecurity, where the firm manages one of the largest such portfolios in private equity, exceeding $60 billion in enterprise value as of June 2025.^[52] Operating partners and advisors provide hands-on guidance to portfolio companies, facilitating cybersecurity enhancements, AI-driven innovations, and supply chain digital transformations across investments like Darktrace and other infrastructure providers.^[53]^[54] This approach has supported over 30 board seats and 15 exits, emphasizing scalable integrations that adapt to digital threats and market demands.^[55] Key lessons from these cases highlight the importance of timely interventions, as private equity timelines demand rapid execution of growth strategies with minimal room for error.^[56] Additionally, operating partners' success often hinges on adaptability to market shifts, such as economic downturns or technological disruptions, enabling firms to pivot strategies while maintaining strong management alignment.^[57]^[58]

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May 1, 2025 · In a special episode of Behind the Deal, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro discusses cybersecurity and AI with CEOs of Darktrace and ...Missing: 2023-2025 | Show results with:2023-2025
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Partners Team - Thoma Bravo
During his time at Thoma Bravo, Seth has held more than 30 board seats, led over 15 exits, and helped Thoma Bravo establish one of the largest cybersecurity ...
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Why PE Firms Are Leveraging Human Capital Operating Partners
Feb 6, 2025 · Time Is Everything in Private Equity. PE firms work under tight timelines to execute growth strategies, leaving little room for trial and error.
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Lessons learned? Has the pandemic prepared Private Equity for ...
Sep 5, 2022 · Shift happens PE strategies are shifting significantly in response to market conditions. Growth and value creation, the long-time staple and ...Missing: interventions adaptability
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Six lessons operating partners have learned from 18 months of ...
Oct 1, 2021 · Notes from a pandemic: How management teams and operating partners have learned to cope with covid.Missing: interventions | Show results with:interventions