Operating Partner Search | Private Equity M&A Advisors

Allura Partners Operating Partner Model provides private equity firms and their portfolio companies with high-impact and hands-on leadership to drive value creation at every stage of the investment lifecycle.

Since 2017, we’ve built a proven track record of appointing executives across Australia and New Zealand’s private equity landscape, from high-growth investments under AU$100 million to significant transactions exceeding $1Bn. 

Unlike traditional consultancy firms that focus on high-level advice, our Operating Partners roll up their sleeves and work directly in the business. These executives—former CEOs, COOs, M&A Advisors and other functional executives—are embedded in your operations, addressing challenges, driving transformation, and executing strategies tailored to your investment thesis. 

Our Operating Partner model ensures measurable outcomes from pre-deal preparation to post-transaction transformation. We assist private equity firms in unlocking value, transforming operations, and positioning portfolio companies for long-term success. 

A Proven Track Record Across Industries 

Guided by our private equity clients, we have an extensive network of executives with hands-on experience in industries where private equity primarily invests, including high-growth sectors like consumer, healthcare, technology, and business services.

Our Executive Search and Research team leverages this network to appoint an Operating Partner with the knowledge and expertise to deliver tangible, value-creating impact for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. 

Functional Specialists for Targeted Impact 

Our Operating Partner Model includes access to functional executives with proven expertise in areas critical to private equity success, such as Finance, Operations, Technology, Human Resources and Go-To-Market.  These executives bring experience and tailored strategies to address specific challenges or drive transformational growth.

Guided by deep industry knowledge and a results-oriented approach, they ensure measurable impact, aligning with the investment thesis to enhance value creation and operational excellence across portfolio companies. 

Allura Partners Operating Partner Model Solutions

Our Operating Partners can be engaged for the entire lifecycle of acquisition to exit or flexibly appointed to provide expertise at critical stages, including: 

  • In the pre-deal phase, an Operating Partner brings specialised industry expertise and hands-on experience, offering invaluable insights beyond consultancy advice. Unlike a consultancy firm that may lack operational familiarity, we appoint an Operating Partner or M&A Advisor who can immerse themselves in the intricacies of the targeted industry, assessing the potential acquisition with a focus on value creation initiatives and operational synergies. 

    They handle critical tasks such as: 

    • Conducting thorough due diligence to uncover operational inefficiencies 

    • Ensuring the PE target aligns with the investment thesis 

    • Developing a value-creation plan 

    • Formulating seamless integration strategies tailored to your specific business context 

    By leveraging their deep industry knowledge and practical experience, one of our appointed Operating Partners ensures informed decisions are made to set the foundation for a successful acquisition.  

    Whether it's a Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Management Buyout (MBO), Management Buy-In (MBI), Growth Capital investment, Corporate Carve-Out, or Spin-Off, our Operating Partner provides the expertise needed to navigate each unique transaction structure.  

  • During the pre-completion phase and the initial 90–120 days post-investment, our Operating Partner works closely with the leadership team to understand the business's nuances, assess the business against the investment thesis, and design the implementation plan to identify opportunities to drive growth and transformation. 

    A consultancy firm may only advise in this phase, but an Operating Partner actively takes on and manages the execution of critical initiatives, including: 

    • Organisational Structure Planning: Determine a new organisational structure that aligns with the strategic goals, supporting key leadership placements and recruitment. 

    • Value Creation Plan (VCP) Development: Flesh out the VCP with defined, actionable steps to realise anticipated value. 

    • Day One Readiness: Manage operational processes to ensure you 'hit the ground running' from day one, setting the stage for an immediate impact. 

    By working hands-on with the executive team and private equity firm, the Operating Partner aligns execution with strategic goals, ensuring the value creation plan is practical, actionable, and impactful.  

  • In the post-transaction phase, operational challenges and transformation needs often arise, whether addressing specific issues or driving growth in areas such as sales and marketing, implementing technology, or driving HR and people agendas. While consultancy firms may provide high-level recommendations, they typically take a hands-off approach. In contrast, an Operating Partner—a functional expert in the relevant area—takes a hands-on role in managing and executing the necessary transformations. 

    With deep industry expertise, the Operating Partner drives operational improvements, streamlines processes, and ensures smooth integration. They work closely with the CEO and executive leadership team of your portfolio company to realise synergies, maximise value, and position the company for long-term success, including exit strategies that may include IPO readiness. 

The Benefits of Our Operating Partner Model

  • Industry Expertise

    Sector-specific former senior executives.

  • Functional Specialists

    Hands-on executives with high-impact operational experience.

  • Talent Pool

    Easily access an extensive cohort of former executives.

  • Flexibility

    The right Operating Partner for every phase of the deal.

  • Accelerated Process

    Save time in finding qualified partners.

  • Cost Effective

    Save on consultancy firm fees or permanent overheads.

Becoming an Operating Partner with Allura Partners allows executives to create a meaningful impact in their passion industry while maintaining a balanced and flexible professional life. 

Operating Partners often bring 10–15 years of leadership experience in CEO, COO, or C-suite roles and a successful track record in private equity. These executives have demonstrated their ability to implement value-creation strategies and guide portfolio companies to successful liquidity events. 

This role suits executives with exceptional leadership and communication skills who understand how to apply their knowledge of industry trends and emerging technologies.

Become an Operating Partner and M&A Advisor

Success often stems from a hands-on approach, establishing trust, collaborating with CEOs, boards, and operational teams, and driving tangible results. 

Allura Partners supports Operating Partners by offering personalised guidance, coaching, and access to an extensive network of potential opportunities. This model provides a steady flow of rewarding engagements, aligning your skills with roles where you can make a lasting impact. Our approach ensures that when opportunities arise, they align with your leadership style, cultural fit, and ability to excel in dynamic environments.  

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Operating Partners are often former CEOs, executives, consultants or board members with extensive experience in corporate development. Their role is to advise and provide hands-on strategic leadership to businesses, particularly in Pre-Deal Preparation, Pre-Completion and Post Transaction. Operating Partners apply their industry expertise to implement value-creation plans, optimise processes, and foster team integration. Their ultimate goal is to enhance operational efficiency, implement technology, drive profitability and maximise valuation creation.  

  • A partner in a private equity firm originates the deal, creates the investment thesis, gains investment committee approval and “does the deal” transitioning a board role guiding the strategic direction of the company as they act on behalf of the firm and focus on strategic oversight. 

    An operating partner, however, works directly within the portfolio company CEO and executive leadership team, implementing the investment thesis and driving day-to-day operations. They execute value-creation plans, improve processes, and foster growth, translating the partner’s strategic vision into actionable, profitability-enhancing results. They typically have some reporting line back to the private equity partner.  

  • An operating partner is a senior executive who reports to the CEO and Board. The role requires them to establish trust and collaborate with the executive team to advise them on the transformation agenda. Their leadership in the company allows them to drive operational changes, integrate teams and ensure the success of investments. 

  • An operating partner is typically an experienced executive with a proven track record of running companies. They work directly within a portfolio company, providing hands-on management and implementing strategies tailored to the business's unique needs. 

     

    In contrast, consultancy firms offer high-level strategic advice and frameworks but lack hands-on operational involvement. Consultants often guide from the sidelines, while operating partners actively drive execution and deliver results through their real-world leadership experience. 

  • A strong operating partner combines deep industry expertise with hands-on experience to drive operational improvements and strategic growth in portfolio companies. They align operational strategies with broader investment goals, ensuring value-creation plans are effectively executed and contribute to long-term success. 

    The ultimate key to their success is their ability to build trust and communicate effectively so their operational strategy can deliver high-impact growth. 

A Commitment to Private Equity Operating Partner Search

For those seeking an Operating Partner Search service across Australia and New Zealand, we provide trusted hiring expertise to match the right leader with the right role.