Operating Partner, Real Assets (Brownfield)

The Firm

A leading Investment Platform whose investment team is made up of more than 100 investment specialists who oversee externally managed investments and manage several direct assets and investment portfolios in-house. A collaborative, passionate, purpose-driven investment team comprised of individuals who excel in their area of expertise. 

The Role

The role of the Operating Partner, Real Assets, is to support the firms Sector Teams in real assets to meet asset and portfolio return objectives. The Operating Partner reports to the Head of Direct Asset Oversight and Enhancement, who in turn reports to the Head of Real Assets and Deputy Chief Investment Officer.

The Candidate

As an operating partner your responsibilities will include:

• Support the Sector Teams to conduct acquisition performance due diligence (e.g. critique management business plan, develop prelim size of EBITDA improvement potential, identify required improvements in leadership and execution capabilities)

• Support the Sector Teams in developing transition plan (e.g. 100 day plan covering all levers across functional spectrum)

• Lead / review functional papers (e.g. management assessment, IT, HR, Operations, Risks, etc)

• Support the Sector Teams and AssetCo Board with collaborating with Management on value creation plan

• Support AssetCo Board with selection and appointment of CEO and key executives (including appointment of search firms as required)

• Support Sector Teams, AssetCo Board and Management with:

• Updating Value creation plan following completion of post-acquisition deep dive
• Setting up and running value creation steer coms (weekly/fortnightly/monthly cadence)
• Delivering value creation plan initiatives (intense support for 3-6 months)
• Internal and external resources (lead workstreams if required)
• Continuing to develop / update the medium and long-term strategy, e.g. supporting investment team and management in annual strategy planning days. Also support with refining value creation plan each 6 months.
• Support investment team and management to develop and review annual budgets and forecasts, and tracking of actuals against budget, forecast and acquisition business plan

• Support Sector Teams, AssetCo Board with setting management remuneration and STIs / LTIs, including internal and external benchmarking, and building rem / incentives knowledgebase

• Support Sector Teams, AssetCo Board and Management with cascading performance KPIs from CEO to front line that align org to the value creation plan

• Support Sector Teams, AssetCo Management in assessing gaps in operating disciplines impacting value drivers, support AssetCo to improve disciplines (eg standard operating procedures, daily start meetings)

• Support Sector Teams, AssetCo Board and Management in developing management capability matrix and coordinating with external operating partners to run skills assessment and develop leadership training

• Support Sector Teams with reviewing, monitoring and reporting on the performance of the investment (actual performance vs bid case and budgets – explaining differences), providing updates to team, in addition to DAC reporting

• Develop & implement system for consistent reporting of key financial and investment metrics across investee companies

• Support AssetCo Board and Management to scope and source professional advisers and external operating partners to assist in delivering services to the Sector Teams or AssetCo management team as required

• Conduct periodic performance health checks and benchmarking on assets

• Support Sector Teams, AssetCo Management with implementing performance improvements as identified under performance health checks and benchmarking

• If required, support AssetCo Management with establishing continuous improvement program (ideas pipeline, execution support)

To be considered for this opportunity you must fit the following criteria:

• Capability to perform the responsibilities of the role
• Strong academic qualifications in STEM or other relevant degree
• At least 10-15 years’ relevant industry experience working with management teams to improve operating performance of a business, with demonstrable EBITDA improvement results
• Ideally experience working with infrastructure or property assets or operating businesses. Alternatively, experience with a broader range of assets or operating businesses e.g. from a private equity firm or business improvement consulting firm
• Demonstrated ability to execute rapid improvements and ensure these are sustainable
• Demonstrated ability to proactively probe and challenge management and business plans, run ideas generation workshops, and develop continuous improvement programs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Understanding of superannuation regulatory context.

You must have full working rights for Australia to be considered for this role.

Contact Rory Callow / Jack Bakker: rcallow@jmichel.com.au / jbakker@jmichel.com.au