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# Operating Partner, Media & Telecom with a Large PE Fund – Los Angeles, CA



Role Overview for Operating Partner, Media & Telecom with a Large PE Fund – Los Angeles, CA
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, large-cap private equity fund in their search for a distinguished Operating Partner specializing in the Media and Telecommunications sectors. Based in Los Angeles, this is a career-defining opportunity for a seasoned executive to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of market-leading companies. The successful candidate will act as a strategic force multiplier, working hand-in-hand with the fund’s investment professionals and the leadership teams of its portfolio companies to drive transformative growth and unlock exceptional value.
This is not a traditional corporate role. The Operating Partner will be a hands-on leader, a mentor, and a strategic visionary, deeply embedded in the entire investment lifecycle. From conducting rigorous operational due diligence on potential acquisitions to architecting and executing comprehensive value creation plans post-investment, your influence will be direct and substantial. You will be the firm’s subject matter expert, providing critical insights into the rapidly evolving landscapes of digital media, content distribution, 5G infrastructure, cloud communications, and other disruptive technologies. The core mission is to leverage your deep operational expertise to enhance performance, accelerate growth, and ultimately maximize returns for the fund’s investors.
The ideal candidate is a former C-suite executive (CEO, COO, President) from a respected Media or Telecom company who possesses a profound understanding of what it takes to scale, optimize, and innovate in a competitive environment. You will be a key architect of success, translating investment theses into tangible operational results. This role requires a unique blend of strategic foresight, financial acumen, and the ability to influence and inspire change across diverse organizations. You will be instrumental in navigating the complexities of post-acquisition integration, digital transformation, and market expansion, ensuring that each portfolio company reaches its full potential. Your work will directly contribute to the fund’s reputation for excellence and its ability to deliver superior, risk-adjusted returns through sophisticated operational improvements and strategic guidance.
Key Responsibilities of Operating Partner, Media & Telecom with a Large PE Fund – Los Angeles, CA
Investment Due Diligence & Thesis Validation
Collaborate closely with the deal team during the pre-acquisition phase. Lead comprehensive operational due diligence (ODD) to assess a target’s operational health, scalability, technology stack, and management team capabilities. Identify key risks, operational levers for growth, and potential synergies to validate and refine the investment thesis.
Value Creation Plan (VCP) Development
Immediately following an acquisition, lead the development of a strategic 100-day plan and a long-term VCP. This roadmap will detail key initiatives across all functional areas, including sales and marketing optimization, product development, technological innovation, supply chain efficiency, and organizational design.
Hands-On Operational Leadership
Serve as a trusted advisor, mentor, and sparring partner to the C-suite executives of portfolio companies. Provide hands-on support to implement the VCP, driving initiatives related to go-to-market strategy, digital transformation, pricing optimization, and operational excellence. This includes helping to recruit and develop top-tier executive talent.
Performance Management & Governance
Establish robust Key Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboards and reporting frameworks to monitor operational and financial performance. Chair or participate in board meetings, conduct regular performance reviews, and ensure accountability for achieving strategic objectives. Proactively identify and address performance gaps.
Turnaround & Transformation Management
In situations requiring significant change, take a more direct leadership role in orchestrating operational turnarounds. Drive complex transformation projects, including business process re-engineering, cost restructuring, and cultural change management, to stabilize and reposition the asset for growth.
Strategic M&A and Integration
Support portfolio companies in identifying, evaluating, and executing strategic bolt-on acquisitions. Oversee the post-merger integration process to ensure seamless consolidation and the realization of targeted synergies.
Exit Strategy & Preparation
Work with the investment team and portfolio management to prepare companies for a successful exit, whether through an IPO, strategic sale, or secondary buyout. This involves optimizing financial performance, strengthening the management team, and positioning the company’s strategic narrative for maximum valuation.
Industry Expertise & Network Cultivation
Act as the fund’s primary thought leader in the Media and Telecom sectors. Leverage your extensive industry network to source proprietary deal flow, identify executive talent, and forge strategic partnerships that benefit the portfolio. Stay ahead of market trends and technological disruptions to inform investment strategy, a key component of modern private equity value creation.
Requirements for the Operating Partner, Media & Telecom with a Large PE Fund – Los Angeles, CA
Executive Leadership Experience
A minimum of 20 years of professional experience, including a significant tenure as a C-level executive (e.g., CEO, COO, President, General Manager) within a notable company in the Media, Telecommunications, or related technology sectors.
Private Equity Exposure
Demonstrable experience working with or within a private equity environment is highly preferred. Prior success in a formal Operating Partner role or extensive experience serving on the boards of PE-backed companies is a strong asset.
Deep Sector Knowledge
Unrivaled expertise and a proven track record of success in one or more sub-sectors, such as telecom infrastructure (fiber, data centers, towers), enterprise communications (SaaS, UCaaS), digital media, content creation/distribution, or advertising technology.
Operational Transformation Skills
Proven ability to drive significant operational improvements and financial results. Expertise in methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or similar business process improvement frameworks is advantageous. Experience leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives is critical.
Financial Acumen
A strong command of corporate finance and accounting principles. Must be adept at interpreting financial statements, analyzing business models, and quantifying the financial impact of operational initiatives.
Exceptional Interpersonal & Influencing Skills
The ability to build rapport and credibility with C-suite leaders, investment professionals, and board members. A ‘player-coach’ mentality with a low ego, capable of influencing outcomes through data-driven insights and collaborative partnership rather than direct authority.
Educational Background
An undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as Business, Economics, Finance, or Engineering is required. An MBA from a top-tier academic institution is strongly preferred.
Logistics
Must be based in or willing to relocate to the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The role requires significant travel to portfolio company locations across North America.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain the highest caliber of talent. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary and a substantial annual performance-based bonus.
Carried Interest
A significant opportunity for wealth creation through a generous carried interest allocation in the fund, directly aligning your success with the fund’s performance.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents, supplemented by a robust wellness program.
Retirement Savings
A best-in-class 401(k) retirement plan featuring a significant employer match.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for executive coaching, industry conferences, and continued professional development to ensure you remain at the forefront of your field.
Work-Life Integration
A generous paid time off policy, comprehensive parental leave, and an understanding of the demands of a high-performance role, with support for a sustainable work-life balance.
Executive Perks
Additional benefits include executive travel services, expense accounts, and exclusive access to high-profile industry and networking events.
How to Apply
This is a retained search managed exclusively by JRG Partners. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications. We encourage you to explore more about our expertise in this domain by visiting our Private Equity Executive Search practice page.
JRG Partners and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.