About this role
ABOUT AMERICAN OPERATOR
American Operator exists to keep the American Dream alive through small-business leadership and ownership. We place experienced operators into businesses of retiring owners who want their life's work placed in the hands of leaders who care. Over time, our CEOs follow a clear pathway to earn significant equity in the business they lead.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for an experienced operator to lead an event production and rental company as CEO in partnership with American Operator. This is a rare opportunity to step into an entrepreneurial opportunity where the business is already profitable, has a strong reputation, a loyal customer base, and an experienced team already in place.
As CEO, you'll assume full responsibility for day-to-day operations, team leadership, and P&L performance. This is not a turnaround situation, it's an opportunity to build on a solid foundation. Your focus will be on learning from the founder, developing the existing team, driving revenue through referral networks and partnerships, executing with operational discipline, and scaling the business from a position of strength.
American Operator will be your partner from day one, providing strategic support, resources, and guidance while empowering you to lead independently. Most importantly, you'll have a clear path to earning significant equity ownership in the business you grow and lead.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Own the day-to-day operations and P&L of a multi-department creative and production organization
Serve as a visionary and forward-thinking leader
Step in as the next leader of a newly acquired business and lead through the ownership transition
Oversee the sales team and drive growth through key accounts
Act as the primary decision maker for capital allocation across the business
Develop and lead the design, fabrication, floral, and logistics departments with a culture of high accountability and performance
Partner with American Operator on strategy, budgeting, and growth planning
REQUIREMENTS
10+ years of leadership experience running a multi-department services business
Proven experience owning P&L performance and driving project-level profitability
Experience leading a creative, design, or experiential production team
Experience building high performance teams with accountability for hiring and firing
Managed rental or production inventory, warehousing, and logistics
Experience personally owning and growing major client relationships in a corporate, hospitality, events, or agency market
Entrepreneurial leader who can set the company vision and lead with accountability
WHAT SETS YOU APART
Experience leading a founder-led business through an ownership transition
You have worked as a designer, or alongside designers, in events, hospitality, or production
You’ve managed subcontracted work and seasonal labor
You have scaled a service or events business from seven-figures to eight-figures
COMPENSATION
Base salary: $160,000, plus a 20% performance-based bonus opportunity, distributions, and meaningful equity participation beginning at 10% ownership in the company, with the potential to increase ownership based on performance and value creation. Total compensation varies by portfolio company, individual performance, and deal structure, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.
LOCATION
This opportunity is located in the greater San Diego metro area. The exact location of this business will be revealed during the interview process. Relocation will be required if you are not currently in or near the market of the opportunity.
Ready to lead the next chapter? Before you apply, we encourage you to visit americanoperator.com to learn more about who we are, how we work, and what our operators have to say about the experience. When you are ready, apply today to start the conversation.