Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm dedicated to addressing succession challenges faced by Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Through our Operator-Led Buyout Program (OLBO), we offer a structured and scalable solution for business succession, ensuring lasting success for all stakeholders. We are seeking motivated, talented, and ambitious mid-career professionals to partner with NCA in searching for, acquiring, and leading a small or medium-sized enterprise as Chief Executive Officer.

The Role

As an NCA Operator, you will lead a professional search lasting up to 24 months to acquire a small to mid-sized company. You will receive comprehensive support from NCA during the search process, along with a competitive compensation package and meaningful equity upside in the acquired company, enhancing your entrepreneurial journey.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with us to establish a search process that generates sufficient deal flow to find a suitable business for acquisition.
• Manage the acquisition process with support from our experienced Investment Management team.
• Assume the CEO role of the newly acquired business.
• Proactively generate and evaluate strategic growth options and business opportunities, developing long-term business strategies and 100-day plans.
• Drive top-line growth through impactful marketing and sales initiatives.
• Review product/service offerings, portfolio strategies, and existing brand positioning to identify gaps and implement improvements.
• Manage geographical expansions as needed, preparing and implementing market entrance strategies successfully.
• Ensure efficiency and profitable growth.

Requirements

• 15+ years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in leadership roles with full P&L responsibility.
• Academic achievement, preferably an Executive MBA or MBA degree.
• Minimum of 10+ years of proven experience running and growing businesses or business units in the Netherlands.
• Strong motivation towards entrepreneurship.
• Fluent in English and Dutch.
• Deep expertise and/or strategic vision in one or more of the following sectors: Business Services, Healthcare Services, Niche Manufacturing, Software/Tech-Enabled Businesses, Distribution & Logistics.

Nice to Have

• 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 and international expansion.
• Recent successful business transformation experience.
• Open-mindedness towards learning, people, and even failure.

Application Process

Every application is personally reviewed by our team, with no automated screening. Selected candidates will undergo several in-depth interviews, take online assessments, meet various stakeholders, and complete a business case assignment over several weeks. Informative webinars are also available for candidates to learn more about the program and meet the NCA team. The final assessment center with jury selection will occur in September 2026.

We are an Equal Opportunity program, and all submitted CVs go through the same application process, regardless of any non-merit factors. For more information on the program and the application process, please visit our website at www.novastone-ca.com.