Vice President of Investments

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.
• A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or a 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

• An MBA from a top-tier program.
• Experience working with or investing in small and medium-sized businesses.
• A personal connection to small businesses or a passion for preserving the American Dream.
• Experience with lower middle market / SMB acquisitions.