SUMMARY
Our client is a private equity-backed, B2B SaaS company generating circa $40M+ in annual recurring revenue, serving a loyal enterprise and mid-market customer base with a mission-critical software platform. Following a period of strong organic growth and successful platform investment, the company's board and financial sponsor are conducting a confidential search for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the business through its next chapter of scaled growth, margin expansion, and value creation ahead of a future exit.
- This is a rare opportunity to take the reins of an already-successful, well-capitalized SaaS business with a strong product-market fit, a supportive and experienced board, and a clear mandate to accelerate growth — organically and through M&A — over a 3-5 year value creation plan.
POSITION SUMMARY
The CEO will report directly to the Board of Directors and partner closely with the private equity sponsor to define and execute the company's strategic roadmap. This individual will own the P&L in full, lead the executive team, and serve as the primary architect of the company's go-to-market, product, and operational strategy. The ideal candidate combines the commercial instincts of a proven SaaS operator with genuine technical fluency — someone who can engage credibly with engineering and product leadership as well as with customers, the board, and capital markets.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Own overall company performance against the board-approved annual operating plan and long-term value creation plan, including ARR growth, net revenue retention, gross and EBITDA margins, and cash flow.
- Set and communicate a clear strategic vision for the company's product, market positioning, and growth strategy in partnership with the board and sponsor.
- Build, lead, and hold accountable a high-performing executive team across Sales, Marketing, Product, Engineering, Customer Success, and Finance.
- Partner with the CTO/CPO (or personally provide technical leadership) to ensure the product roadmap, platform architecture, and engineering organization scale with the business and support premium pricing and retention.
- Lead the company's go-to-market evolution, including pricing/packaging, expansion into new customer segments or verticals, and channel/partnership strategy.
- Evaluate, execute, and integrate acquisitions as part of a buy-and-build strategy, working closely with the sponsor's deal team.
- Serve as the primary relationship owner with the board and financial sponsor, providing transparent, data-driven reporting and building high trust through consistent execution.
- Champion a strong, accountable, metrics-driven culture that can attract and retain top talent as the company scales.
- Represent the company externally with key customers, industry analysts, and, as relevant, potential strategic or financial acquirers in preparation for a future liquidity event.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 2+ years as CEO of a software/SaaS business generating $70M+ in annual revenue.
- Direct experience operating within a private equity-backed portfolio company, including familiarity with board governance, 100-day planning, value creation planning, and sponsor reporting rhythms.
- Demonstrated track record of driving ARR growth and margin improvement in a B2B SaaS or software business, ideally including experience with both organic growth levers and M&A/integration.
- Proven ability to build and lead a senior executive team, with a track record of upgrading talent and building durable organizational capability.
- Deep fluency in SaaS metrics and unit economics (ARR, NRR/GRR, CAC payback, magic number, rule of 40, LTV:CAC) and comfort operating in a metrics-driven, board-governed environment.
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree a plus but not required.
- Preference for a technical foundation — career origins as a software developer, engineer, or architect, and/or prior experience as a CTO, VP Engineering, or Chief Product Officer before moving into general management.