Private equity firms today face increasing pressure to deliver consistent value creation, even in tougher markets. As a result, Operating Partners (OPs) are becoming central to portfolio success.
Why Demand for OPs Is Rising
PE firms are building OP teams to support:
- Post-close integration
- Pricing and commercial strategy
- Operational efficiency
- Human capital planning
- Technology modernization
Interim leadership or advisory roles
In the lower middle market, many portfolio companies lack the operational sophistication to meet growth expectations—making OPs essential.
What Makes an Effective Operating Partner?
Top Operating Partners share three traits:
- Pattern Recognition
Experience across multiple industries and transformations allows them to diagnose challenges early.
- Ability to Influence Without Direct Authority
OPs succeed through collaboration, not command.
- Roll-Up-Your-Sleeves Execution
The best OPs do more than advise—they help build.
How PeakPitch Supports PE Firms
PeakPitch partners with private equity firms to identify Operating Partners who fit the firm’s strategy and culture, not just the job description.
We focus on:
- Competitive mapping across functional experts and generalist value creators
- Ensuring portfolio comfort and alignment
- Candidates who bring hands-on execution experience
- The right Operating Partner changes outcomes—not just KPIs.
For firms navigating leadership decisions across portfolio companies, we also support broader private equity executive search needs, helping sponsors secure finance and operational leaders critical to long-term value creation.
Learn more about our approach to private equity executive search
Operating Partners as a Force Multiplier
The right Operating Partner can meaningfully change outcomes—not just KPIs. By supporting management teams through complexity, aligning execution with the investment thesis, and accelerating operational maturity, Operating Partners have become a force multiplier for private equity firms focused on durable value creation.
As PE operating models continue to evolve, the role of the Operating Partner will only grow in strategic importance.
