Portfolio Director / Operating Partner

ABOUT NEXTSTEP

NextStep connects top consulting talent with high-potential opportunities through smart, AI-powered matching. We partner with ambitious companies across sectors to place experienced professionals in roles where they can have a real impact. On behalf of a client in our partner network, we are currently looking for a Portfolio Director / Operating Partner to join their team.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is a UK-based growth equity fund with £900m AUM, investing in founder-led technology and software businesses at the Series B–D stage. With a portfolio of 18 active investments and a strong belief that operational value creation is as important as financial structuring, they are building out their operating team to provide intensive, hands-on support to portfolio companies at critical inflection points. This is a newly created and highly influential role within the fund.

THE ROLE

As Portfolio Director / Operating Partner, you will work directly with the management teams of portfolio companies, bringing operational expertise, strategic rigour, and commercial experience to bear on the challenges that determine whether a business reaches its potential. You will typically be embedded within one or two companies at a time, working alongside founders and CEOs on the issues that matter most to the fund's return.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Conduct rapid operational and strategic diagnostics across portfolio companies, identifying the highest-priority value creation opportunities.

• Work alongside portfolio company leadership teams to design and implement improvement initiatives spanning growth, operations, and organisational capability.

• Support portfolio company CEOs on specific high-priority challenges, including go-to-market strategy, pricing, hiring, and operating model design.

• Contribute to the investment team's due diligence on new deals by providing an operational perspective on target companies.

• Build and maintain a trusted adviser relationship with portfolio company founders and boards.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 12–18 years of experience in management consulting (Partner or Engagement Manager level), private equity operating teams, or a C-suite operational role in a technology or software business.

• Proven ability to drive meaningful operational and commercial improvement in a hands-on capacity.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build trust quickly with founders and manage the nuances of operating in a portfolio company context.

• Commercially sharp and analytically rigorous, comfortable moving between strategic thinking and practical implementation.

• Experience in B2B SaaS, software, or technology services is strongly preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Base salary of £150,000 – £190,000, depending on experience.

• Carried interest from the current fund vehicle.

• Annual cash bonus with fund performance component.

• Private health cover, pension, and flexible working arrangements.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this role, please create your profile at getnextstep.com https://getnextstep.com/candidate/landing?utm_medium=job-board&utm_source=job-board. Once your profile is complete, our matching system will evaluate your background against the role criteria and match you with the company if it's a strong fit. No cover letter required.

This role is listed by NextStep on behalf of our client. All applications are handled with confidentiality.