CEO / Managing Director - Software Vertical Company

Valsoft specialises in acquiring and growing vertical market software companies. Our mission is to provide a permanent home for software businesses, preserving the legacy of their founders while investing in the long-term growth and success of the companies we acquire. We operate and manage a global portfolio of wholly owned software businesses, delivering mission-critical solutions across multiple verticals. By implementing industry best practices, Valsoft ensures a time-sensitive integration process and operates a decentralised model, fostering rapid growth through reinvestment in its portfolio.

The Role: This position provides critical operational leadership to a company and potentially a portfolio of companies within a growing software vertical. As the leader of a company, you will be responsible for developing and implementing the business’s strategic plan across all major functions, including sales and marketing, R&D, customer service, professional services, and human resources.

You will work closely with the leadership team to identify, define, and execute strategies required to achieve growth plans and operating objectives, with a focus on improving operational excellence. This role carries full accountability for the company's results, making it ideal for a driven leader eager to make a significant impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the long-range, annual, and quarterly financial and non-financial goals

• Develop and communicate a clear vision of goals and objectives, strategies, and philosophies about growth, revenue generation, profitability, and customer care

• Manage day-to-day operations, including sales performance, opportunity management, forecasting, R&D capacity, and customer support

• Attend promotional events which include but are not limited to tradeshows and panels

Sales and Marketing

• Drive revenue growth, working with the sales team to identify new opportunities and execute growth strategies including cross/upsell and entering adjacent markets

• Develop and implement best-in-class sales operations and sales infrastructure to enable effective scale and ensure process discipline

• Develop and maintain competitive intelligence programs, generating industry trend reports to inform new feature and product development

• Improve use of Salesforce and other internal tools to increase forecasting capability, implement targets, and provide actionable insights to the executive team and board of directors

• Create and implement KPIs for the sales team to measure performance and productivity (e.g., CAC / LTV); develop performance dashboards and establish reporting process (measure NRR and MRR trends)

• Work with sales leaders in establishing quotas, budgets, compensation plans, and pricing optimization

• Manage key relationships with large accounts is mandatory

Customer Care/Customer Success:

• Execute an effective, long-term customer success program for clients

• Implement and maintain client support initiatives

• Facilitate both in-house and client training sessions

• Monitor and document Customer Success metrics, including program usage, satisfaction levels, ticket throughput, and resolution

• Coordinate the administration of annual customer satisfaction surveys (NPS) and other communication tools

Research and Development:

• Ensure clear product roadmaps are established, followed, and adapted to meet market needs

• Balance investment in R&D with maintenance efforts to maximize new customer growth and retain existing clients while maintaining efficient Customer Care and R&D operations

• Track Product Manager prioritization of R&D tasks, ensuring they are entered into the corporate system and executed by software developers

• Facilitate the growth of Product Managers by aligning their activities with job descriptions

Professional Services:

• Ensure profitable projects by monitoring billable utilizations, staff OPEX, and contribution margin

• Establish strategies to increase NRR

• Track monthly results with the Head of Professional Services

Financial Management:

• Review with Senior Management and the team:

• Advance performance by driving improvements in revenue, profit, customer retention, loss prevention, and expense ratios

• Annual, quarterly, and monthly revenue results/forecasts and costs

• Participate in the development of internal department policies and programs to support quality and growth

• Drive P&L, ROI, EBITDA, rule of 40 and ARR/IRR performance of businesses and ensure companies are meeting organizational objectives

Human Resources:

• Partner with your HR lead in driving talent retention and development, complying with local employment legislation, and developing a true local company culture

Growth through M&A:

• Engage in M&A activities, working closely with the Valsoft investment group on acquisition strategy and M&A initiatives

• Oversee post-acquisition initiatives to integrate companies into your business, focusing on operational transformation and implementation of efficiencies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven experience in senior leadership roles within the software or technology sector (5+ years)

• Strong skills in developing and executing strategic business plans across multiple functions

• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth and market expansion

• Hands-on approach to managing daily operations and improving operational excellence

• Proven track record in leading change management initiatives

• Practical understanding of AI and its application to software products and internal operations

• Exceptional leadership with the ability to inspire and manage cross-functional teams

• Results-oriented with a focus on achieving targets and continuous improvement

• Strong commitment to customer success and care

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for influencing stakeholders

• Innovative, proactive, and adaptable with a collaborative mindset

• Full professional proficiency in English (required)

• Legally authorized to work in Germany / Switzerland / Austria / France