The company

Our client is an investment fund willing to launch a search fund to acquire and grow a promising small medium enterprise in Italy. Their mission is to identify an high-potential business, support its growth, and create lasting value by means of roll-up or integration strategies. We seek a candidate who will lead the acquisition process and eventually become the CEO of the acquired business.
You won’t just search for companies; you’ll be the driving force behind finding and acquiring a high-potential business. With direct support from senior leaders and investors, you will ensure strategic alignment and successful integration.
As a future CEO, you will:
Pre-Acquisition Phase:

• Market Research: Conduct in-depth market research to identify acquisition targets, focusing primarily on Italy.
• Financial Analysis: Analyze financial statements, business models, and market conditions to identify targets
• Due Diligence: Lead due diligence efforts, including financial, operational, and legal assessments, ensuring a thorough evaluation of each potential acquisition.
• Strategic Recommendations: Present acquisition recommendations to the fund’s leadership, backed by detailed financial models and growth projections.

Post-Acquisition Phase:

• Leadership Transition: Transition into the CEO role of the acquired company, setting the strategic direction and ensuring alignment with the overall vision.
• Company Restructuring: Transform the acquired company from an SME to a dynamic startup. This involves:
  • Process Creation: Design and implement new processes across all departments to enhance efficiency and scalability. This includes developing standard operating procedures, establishing performance metrics, and implementing best practices in operations, finance, marketing, and sales.
  • Cultural Transformation: Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement. Lead initiatives to engage employees, encourage creativity, and instill a startup mentality focused on rapid growth and adaptability.
  • Innovation and Technology: Integrate cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices to streamline operations and create competitive advantages. This includes digital transformation initiatives and leveraging data analytics for informed decision-making.
  • Talent Acquisition and Development: Build and develop a high-performing management team. Attract top talent and invest in employee development programs to ensure the team has the skills and motivation to drive the company's growth.
  • Operational Efficiency: Implement strategies to streamline operations and reduce costs, enhancing overall efficiency and productivity using OKR and KPI systems. This could involve optimizing supply chains, improving production processes, and enhancing customer service.
  • Product and Market Expansion: Identify and develop new products or services that align with market demands. Explore new markets and create strategies to expand the company’s local and international footprint.
    

• Innovation and Product Development: Lead efforts to innovate and develop new products or services, ensuring the company remains competitive and responsive to market demands.
• Revenue Growth: Drive initiatives to increase revenues within the first years, identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities.
• Change Management: Lead change management efforts to transition the company effectively. Communicate the vision and strategy clearly to all stakeholders, manage resistance, and ensure buy-in from employees at all levels. Develop and implement a change management plan to ensure a smooth transition and adoption of new processes and culture.

About you

• Experience: Minimum 4 years in executive leadership as a first-line, CEO, General Manager or Founder of a startup/scaleup that has successfully scaled.
• Languages: Fluent in both Italian and English.
• Mindset: Entrepreneurial, with a proactive approach to experimentation and innovation. Comfortable with a "fail fast, win big" attitude.
• Location: Primarily focused on opportunities in Italy.