Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm headquartered in Switzerland that solves succession challenges faced by small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through our Operator-Led Search Fund program. Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is looking for motivated, talented, aspirational mid-career professionals with the ambition to partner with NCA to search, acquire and lead a small or medium-sized enterprise as Chief Executive Officer.

As an NCA Searcher, you will spearhead an up to 24-month professional search in order to acquire one small – midsized company. Within the scope of our Operator-Led Search Fund program, you will have access to financial and business support from NCA during the search, as well as an attractive incentive package in the form of a base compensation and vested shares in the acquired company that will further enhance and secure your entrepreneurial journey.

Successful candidates will search, acquire and manage a company in a European country based on where candidates have the most experience, relevance and chances of success. 

We strongly recommend attending one of our Q&A session to learn more about the opportunity, registration is mandatory: https://webinar.novastone-ca.com/

*Note: The partnership between the program and successful candidates is defined by several agreements and is not an employment/employer contractual relationship. During the search phase (up to 24 months), NCA Searchers have a budget to cover their living expenses.

Responsibilities

• Establish with us a search process aiming to generate sufficient deal flow with the ultimate goal of finding a business to acquire in accordance with pre-defined criteria; 

• Manage the acquisition process with the support of our experienced Investment team; 

• Step into the CEO role of the newly acquired business; 

• Proactively generate and evaluate strategic growth options and business opportunities, develop long term business strategy and 100-day plans; 

• Grow the business top line via impactful marketing and sales initiatives; 

• Build a culture that embraces innovation and digital transformation; 

• Review product/service offerings, portfolio strategies, existing brands positioning and identify gaps and implement improvements; 

• Identify value creation opportunities, design the new product/service (NPD), define the go-to-market strategy and organize the commercial launch; 

• Manage geographical expansions, when required, preparing and successfully implementing market entrance strategies; 

• Manage efficiencies and ensure profitable growth. 

Must-have requirements

• 10+ years of professional experience;

• Academic achievement (Executive MBA or MBA degree preferred);

• Min. 5+ years in leadership roles managing multiple teams across multiple geographies and locations; 

• Min. 5+ years of proven track record of running and growing businesses or large business units;

• P&L responsibility;

• Having a strategic vision for a sector or an industry;

• Strong motivation towards entrepreneurship;

• Fluent in English + the local language of the respective search market;

• Lived and worked in the search market for the last 10 years.

Nice-to-have requirements

• M&A experience;

• Consulting experience from a top consulting firm;

• Experience managing and operating an SME;

• Owner, Founder or co-Founder of a Start-up;

• Experience in global business development, international expansion;

• Recent successful business transformation experience;

• Open mind towards learning, people and even failure.

We offer

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm headquartered in Switzerland that solves succession challenges faced by small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through our Operator-Led Search Fund program. We closely partner with experienced, mid-career professionals with deep industry experience to locate, acquire, and grow small privately held companies. Our selection process for the program is highly competitive and includes several virtual interviews, case assignments and personality assessments. Please note that we do not invest in start ups or scale ups and the program excludes distressed companies and turnarounds.

If your application qualifies, based on your CV and experience, the following steps apply:

• You will receive our full program description and be invited to record a one-way video to complete your profile. These videos help our selection team hear your personal story, not only from your CV, but in your own words. Please proceed as soon as you receive the invitation in order to have your application reviewed. *Please note, emails are often filtered to spam / promotions so please keep a cautious eye

• If selected, you will be invited to an orientation call with our Assessment Center team. Please be prepared to discuss your investment thesis, sectors and industries of focus. You will be able to ask any additional questions at this stage.

• If selected, you will be invited to a second Zoom interview with our Head of the Assessment Center. Please be prepared to pitch your investment thesis (sectors, industries, why is it a good industry or sector to invest in) and have an in-depth discussion about your professional background.

• If selected, you will be invited to complete a business case assignment. You will have 5 days to prepare the case and 30min to present it to our Assessment Center and Investment teams. Materials for the case will be provided to you and it is the same case for every candidate.

• If selected, you will be invited to a third interview with one of our managing partners. This 45min in-depth interview covers your professional experience, motivation to join the program and your potential search case in greater details.

• If selected, you will be invited to our assessment center, which is a 50min panel interview with a selected group of jurors. For this final stage of the selection process, you will be requested to prepare a 15min pitch on your search and acquisition case. You will have 5 days to prepare for this assignment.

Upon successful completion of all selection stages, candidates will be invited to join the program. 

We encourage all applicants to follow our LinkedIn company page for updates on our recruitment cycles and tips on how to apply. Typical selection cycles last 12 to 15 weeks from the moment applications are open to the final assessment center.

We are an Equal Opportunity program, and all submitted CVs pass through the same application process, regardless of gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, race, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, parental status, or any other non-merit factor.

For more information on the program, our application and selection process please refer to our website www.novastone-ca.com.