VICE PRESIDENT OPERATING PARTNER – NYC PRIVATE CREDIT

J Harlan Group is currently conducting a search for an experienced and highly motivated VICE PRESIDENT OPERATING PARTNER – PRIVATE CREDIT at a prominent NYC Private Credit Investment Manager. Seeking to add a seasoned and professional senior operating partner professional to an emerging platform focused on Special Situations, Sponsored, and Growth direct lending opportunities

The Vice President will be an integral part of the firm’s Investment team. The Vice President will work directly with portfolio companies to drive operational improvements, achieve strategic goals, and increase company value. This role offers the opportunity to assist in managing portfolio companies, create value, and facilitate operational improvements.

An exciting opportunity to be a key part of the growth of this fast-growing and dynamic investment organization that is experiencing exceptional growth! The firm is an absolutely fascinating firm with a strong growth history / trajectory and a robust pipeline of deal opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

Drive value creation in portfolio companies — building and running the value-creation plan.

Portfolio Company Management

• Assist in managing portfolio company once the firm “takes the keys”.
• Work directly with portfolio company management teams to drive operational improvements.
• Mentor and advise C-Suite executives, helping to implement strategic initiatives and improve day-to-day operations.

Value Creation

• Collaborate with management teams on day-to-day operations, help guide decisions from hiring to technology implementation.
• Implement strategic plans, rework business strategies, and execute growth strategies.
• Enhance operational performance through capital structure optimization as well through efficiency, innovation, reducing costs, and operational execution.
• Drive top-line revenue growth through innovative strategies, product development, or expanding into new markets.

Facilitate Operational Improvement

• Streamline supply chains, improve product development cycles, and/or optimize pricing strategies.
• Develop and implement performance improvement plans, ensuring every facet of the business runs more efficiently.
  

The ideal candidate would have a background including:

• Private Equity / Private Credit turnaround experience - Private credit experience a plus
• Proven leadership skills and ability to influence management teams
• Deep understanding of various industries/sectors
• Ability to lead and influence portfolio company management teams and operational staff
• Ability to develop and implement actionable strategies for growth and efficiency
• Data-driven approach to operational management. Expertise in reviewing financials, operational metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive decision-making
• Proficiency in guiding organizations through significant changes, whether related to operations, culture building, or strategy
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellence in balancing multiple projects and efficiently meeting goals in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to successfully partner and communicate with all levels of an organization
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with business management, investment professionals and portfolio companies and a demonstrated ability to influence and impact the business
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to forge relationships resulting in successful partnerships
• Strong negotiation skills, business acumen and customer focused
• Confident communicator; able to present and argue a point concisely and deal positively with conflicting views
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team
  

Education:

• Strong academic record and a bachelor’s or higher degree

An individual who loves solving deep and complex investment related matters and wants to have an outsized impact with the products and solutions they deliver. An individual with a passion for advising on operational improvements, a high level of intellectual curiosity, a commitment to excellence and an unparalleled drive to deliver world-class services.

If you or anyone in your network would be interested in this opportunity, please send resume to Jerry Goldberg at jgoldberg@jharlan.com or directly contact us at (212) 792-0099

About the Client:

The firm is a New York-based, private credit investment firm managing $8+ billion of assets under management inclusive of Special Situations, Sponsored, and Growth direct lending opportunities. Providing bespoke credit solutions to stakeholders and management teams of U.S. middle market companies requiring capital support for growth, acquisitions, operational challenges and financial distress.

The firm believes that what sets it apart from the competition is the strength of its team, its sourcing capabilities, its focus on unique credits, and its ability to deliver bespoke solutions quickly and efficiently, while generating attractive risk adjusted returns for investors. The firm was founded in 2017 with the objective of providing financing to primarily middle market business that operate in North America.

They seek candidates who are high-energy self-starters who want to join an investment management firm on the leading edge of financial markets. The management team needs individuals of the highest professional caliber who are leaders, problem solvers, analytic, detail-oriented, and entrepreneurial. Everyone at the firm works side-by-side with the firm’s senior partners in a highly collaborative and charged investment environment.

Successful candidates are:

• Analytic and relentless in pursuit of the right answer
• Strong communicators who excel at rapid synthesis
• Able to demonstrate sound business judgment
• Able to digest complexity while maintaining an understanding of the “big picture” of business needs
• Team players who are energized by a collaborative enterprise
  

The firm’s employees maintain the highest professional and ethical standards. The firm has earned a reputation for honesty, fair dealing, and transparency in a competitive industry. They believe that these standards are the foundation for superior investment performance and are critical to delivering performance to clients.

SALARY RANGE: - Expected base salary for this position is between $200,000 and $250,000. However, base pay if hired will be determined commensurate with experience and is only a part of the total compensation package which includes eligibility for a discretionary bonus and a robust benefits package