Private Equity Operating PartnerDefined:What Is a PE OP?
A private equity operating partner drives value creation through strategic operational developments within a portfolio company. This role is involved in a variety of business activities from acquisitions and daily operations to due diligence and hiring needs. The operating partner essentially ensures the PE firm’s goals are being met at the company. If there are any missing pieces in terms of team members, operational efficiency, or timeline clarity, the operating partner steps in to address the issues and make sure the company gets up to speed.
The operating partner also serves as the liaison between the PE portfolio company and the PE firm. The operating partner keeps the PE firm aware of progress and roadblocks the company is facing. By staying connected, the PE firm can keep track of its investment and provide extra resources when needed.
An operating partner is a true asset to any PE portfolio company. Assessing the day-to-day activities of a business is difficult and pinpointing inefficiencies and areas of improvement can be even harder. An operating partner has the expertise and knowledge needed to understand the business, recognize what it needs, and then execute a strategy to improve profit and efficiency. Rebuilding business operations requires careful planning and attention, but hiring an operating partner makes the process a little easier.
What to Look for in a Private Equity Operating Partner
While many PE companies agree that an operating partner is an invaluable team member, many companies have a hard time defining the role. The operating partner position can vary widely between companies. Business expectations, functions, and goals all impact the duties and responsibilities of an operating partner. Some companies may view the private equity operating partner as the company leader, much like a CEO, while other businesses see the role as a strategic consultant.
The position may have noticeable differences between companies, but all operating partners tend to have similar skills and qualities that help them succeed, including:
Below is a closer look at the key skills and qualities for private equity operating partners.
Private Equity Operating Partner Quality #1:Leadership Background
Many operating partners are former CEOs or COOs. Their extensive leadership experience is extremely handy when it comes to managing daily operations as well as interacting with company leadership. An operating partner must confidently lead teams and direct managers to new tasks, so past leadership experience is invaluable. Background as a CEO or COO also makes it easier for the operating partner to empathize with the PE portfolio company leadership and build rapport. The shared connection provides credibility to the role and makes current company leaders feel confident in the operating partner’s ideas and strategies.
Private Equity Operating Partner Quality #2:Communication Skills
Given the wide range of responsibilities of the operating partner position, communication skills are a must. The operating partner must interact with all levels of a business from company managers and leaders to PE firm board members. Each group of people often requires a different communication style. An operating partner with exceptional communication skills will understand how to best communicate with people in every aspect of the business.
Open communication will help operations run smoothly and ensure everyone is on the same page about the progress of the business. Not to mention this role often serves in a consultant capacity. Advising clients to take new initiatives is not always easy and can require some persuasion. High-level communication skills help in this consultation role as the operating partner will be able to clearly explain the benefits of a specific strategy, so company leaders are all on board.
Private Equity Operating Partner Quality #3:Technology Skills
Tech skills are a growing trend for the operating partner role. The pandemic emphasized the importance of digital capabilities within the business. Now that businesses are more aware of their digital needs, they’re looking for leaders who can help them adapt to the necessary tech updates. In this regard, many PE firms and portfolio companies are looking to hire operating partners with a background in technology. They want the operating partner to lead the company’s technology transformation, so understanding and expertise in the tech field are becoming increasingly important to the operating partner role.
Private Equity Operating Partner Quality #4:Agility
Finally, operating partners need to be agile. The operating partner role tends to shift and evolve based on business needs and industry trends. If an OP can’t adapt to the demands of the role, not only will the operating partner fail, but it could significantly slow down business progress. The whole point of an operating partner is to increase company value, so agility to address new situations and roadblocks is a must for the role.
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