About Ames Watson

Ames Watson, a Maryland-based Private Equity firm with offices in Columbia MD, and New York City, is seeking an Operating Partner to join its team in the greater NYC region.

Ames Watson is a private holding company with over $2 billion in revenue that purchases, partners with, and transforms companies to create long-term value. Our strategy is to bring more than capital to companies. We bring energy, know-how, problem solving, deep resources and experience to grow companies, and move them past “inflection points.” Ames Watson is a permanent capital holding company with committed capital and the resources to move quickly and the capabilities to help businesses reach long-term success.

Objectives of the Role

An Operating Partner at Ames is first and foremost the primary link between portfolio companies and Ames Watson. Operating partners serve as the lead operating executive during Ames’ transition into control ownership. The Operating Partner will lead the transformation and implementation of the investment plan and develop the overall brand and merchandising strategy of our retail businesses. Ames Watson’s Operating Partners should be prepared to work on multiple projects simultaneously, with P&L responsibility, and be prepared to identify new avenues of opportunity to expand the Ames Watson portfolio companies brand identity.

Responsibilities

Work alongside merchandising leadership team to develop and execute overall retail merchandising strategy.
Work with Ames Watson leadership and portfolio company senior leadership to develop and drive branding efforts and strategy, public relations efforts, and all marketing initiatives that drive company revenue and growth and shape the identity of the company.
Implement transition plans, strategy and lead the transformation of the portfolio company.
Continuously assess the senior leaders in the company to build the team. When appropriate, hire new managers at all levels of the company to ensure that we achieve our plan.
Work with portfolio company senior leaders to assess and develop growth potential and performance objectives. Partner with individual leaders of business lines to establish realistic performance objectives, training, education, coaching and mentoring.
Direct and manage multiple projects and change initiatives within the portfolio company.
Maintain comprehensive operational and strategic responsibility at portfolio companies for human resources administration, business intelligence and growth, financial performance, operational excellence, marketing, sales, and distribution.
Drive growth initiatives to include additional acquisitions and partnership strategies. Identify, research, and develop new opportunities/business ventures that fall within and outside of existing lines of business.
Identify and execute the key strategic initiatives across the business plans. Develop strategic direction and growth initiatives in a format that clearly outlines ROI.
Ensure that other companies within the portfolio are collaborating and communicating across our portfolio of strategic initiatives.
Contribute to innovation efforts to continue to expand revenue opportunities and increase profitability across all platform investments.
Drive a continuous improvement mindset through the company culture.

Skills and Qualifications

Operations experience in fashion, retail, or merchandising space.
Four-year bachelor’s degree, and graduate degree in Master of Business Administration, or graduate degree in a comparable, relevant field.
8+ years of operational leadership experience.
4+ years managing direct and/or indirect reports. Regional leadership and oversight experience preferred.
Experience with public relations or brand management preferred.
Operational knowledge of financial metrics to include cash management, profitability and capital asset performance.
Operations knowledge in resource planning, demand planning, business planning, corporate strategy, communications, leadership, benchmarking, and forecasting required.
Market research, analytical, financial modeling, metrics, and presentation skills required.
Organizational and management skills in prioritizing and synchronizing multiple work streams while meeting deadlines. Must be results-oriented with the ability to change priorities as needed.
Must be able to demonstrate strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy.
Be sensitive to the needs and demands of both Ames’ priorities, and the portfolio company priorities, and display an ability to manage and synchronize both simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to protect confidential information.
Ability to travel by automobile and aircraft and be away from home for more than one day and night.
Manage solicitations with board members and sponsors and provide outcome reports.
Ability to work in a team environment with little supervision.

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Operating Partner