American Operator is seeking a Vice President of Investments to lead the end-to-end acquisition of small- to medium-sized businesses, shaping American Operator's portfolio for long-term growth and operational excellence. This is a senior individual contributor role where you will own deal execution, drive high-quality investment decisions, and serve as a key partner to leadership across the investment lifecycle.
You will run-point on small business acquisitions from LOI to close, managing diligence, negotiations, and underwriting. You will be the primary point-of-contact for the retiring owners we partner with as well as the operators we back, requiring strong relationship management and communication skills.
The ideal candidate for this role has a strong mix of EQ and IQ, are familiar with small business owners, and have experience with closing acquisitions of Main Street- or Lower Middle Market deals.
RESPONSIBILITIES- Own the deal lifecycle from offer through close, with accountability for deal quality, pacing, and outcomes.
- Evaluate and prioritize investment opportunities, forming clear perspectives and recommendations on where to deploy capital.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for business owners, building trust and navigating complex, high-emotion transactions.
- Lead structuring, negotiation, and execution of transactions, ensuring alignment with firm strategy and risk-return objectives.
- Partner with operators and leadership on post-close integration and value creation initiatives.
- Partner with leadership on sourcing strategy and pipeline development, helping maintain a consistent flow of high-quality opportunities.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders and external advisors throughout diligence and execution.
- Represent the firm externally with intermediaries, advisors, and within the SMB ecosystem.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS- 8+ years of relevant experience in private equity and/or investment banking.
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience owning transaction execution from sourcing through close.
- Deep expertise in financial modeling, structuring, and negotiations.
- Diverse industry experience, with a preference for distribution, manufacturing or services businesses.
- Strong investment judgment and ability to evaluate businesses holistically, including operational and strategic considerations.
- Proven ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- MBA from a top-tier program.
- Experience working with or investing in small and medium-sized businesses.
- Personal connection to small businesses or passion for preserving the American Dream.
- Experience with lower middle market / SMB acquisitions.
COMPENSATIONThe anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus and equity. Please note that compensation is determined based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, education, skills, and other qualifications specific to the role.
$150K - $200K
