Chief Executive Officer (Platform CEO)

Chief Executive Officer (Platform CEO)

Location: New York City / Bronx-based (Tri-State Area)

Compensation:

• Years 1–2: $225K–$250K base + bonus (≈ $250K–$275K all-in)
• Years 3+: $300K–$400K all-in (performance dependent)
• Equity: ~5% Management Incentive Plan (meaningful wealth creation opportunity)

About the Role

This is a first-time CEO opportunity to lead and scale a lower-middle-market platform business backed by private equity. The company is the cornerstone asset in a buy-and-build strategy focused on access security and related commercial services across the Tri-State region.

The CEO will run the platform and build it through M&A—sourcing, underwriting, executing, and integrating acquisitions—while professionalizing the operating structure underneath them. This is a highly autonomous, entrepreneurial role with full ownership of outcomes.

This is not a corporate CEO role and not a passive operating seat. Success requires comfort with ambiguity, relentless deal sourcing, and hands-on leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Leadership

• Own full P&L responsibility and overall company performance
• Set strategic vision and execution priorities for the platform
• Lead cultural transition from founder-led to PE-backed organization
• Build and develop the leadership team (COO / Ops leadership over time)

M&A and Capital Allocation

• Source acquisition opportunities across access security and adjacent services
• Independently evaluate, underwrite, and diligence deals
• Lead transaction execution in partnership with the PE sponsor
• Drive post-acquisition integration and value creation
• Build a scalable M&A engine (deal flow, relationships, repeatability)

Operational Oversight

• Ensure core business performance remains strong during platform expansion
• Install operating cadence, reporting, and accountability
• Avoid day-to-day micromanagement while maintaining operational control
• Balance growth initiatives with operational discipline

Stakeholder Management

• Partner closely with PE sponsors while operating autonomously
• Lead through change with an existing workforce (~75 employees)
• Communicate clearly with investors on performance, risks, and opportunities

Qualifications

Required

• Strong investing background with real transaction experience

(Private Equity strongly preferred; Corp Dev considered)

• Demonstrated ability to underwrite deals and make capital allocation decisions
• Prior operational leadership experience (running a team or business unit)
• High intellectual horsepower and sound judgment
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort in unstructured environments
• Willingness to be hands-on in sourcing and relationship-building
• Based in or willing to be based in the NYC / Bronx area

Ideal Profile

• Background path similar to: IB → PE → Operating role (or equivalent)
• First-time CEO ready for full ownership
• Experience building or scaling a platform business
• Military leadership experience (especially SOF) is a strong plus but not required

Compensation & Upside

• Competitive cash compensation for early years
• Meaningful equity participation (~5% MIP) tied to exit performance
• Expected wealth creation potential of $4M–$6M+ over a ~7-year hold
• Significant autonomy and long-term leadership runway