CEO, Executive Partnership Program

CEO, Executive Partnership Program

Location: Remote (US), with preference for candidates based in the Midwest or Great Lakes region

About Gardner Standard

Gardner Standard is a family office that acquires and builds lower middle market manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and engineered products businesses. We focus on situations other buyers find challenging or risky: corporate carve-outs, restructurings, turnarounds, and transactions that require speed and certainty.

We invest our own capital and plan to own our businesses for five, ten or more years. We maintain deep roots in the Midwest and are actively evaluating several acquisition opportunities across the Midwest and Great Lakes region. We invest throughout the United States and Canada.

Position Overview

Gardner Standard is expanding its Executive Partnership Program and is seeking proven CEOs who want to lead a business with a long-term capital partner behind them. Executive Partners work alongside our team to evaluate acquisition opportunities, including deals already in our pipeline and businesses you bring to us, with the goal of stepping in as CEO when the right one closes.

This is a hands-on position with an aggressive learning curve. You will be in the room as we diligence and structure deals, help shape the operating plan before we close, and lead the business once we own it. We provide the capital, transaction expertise, and hands-on support. You bring the leadership.

Key Responsibilities

· Evaluate opportunities: work with Gardner Standard to assess acquisition targets across our pipeline, with a focus on operations, management, and value creation potential.

· Bring your own deals: identify and introduce businesses you know or would like to lead, and work with us to buy them.

· Shape the deal: take part in operating diligence, management assessments, and deal structuring alongside our investment team.

· Plan the first 100 days: build the 100-day plan and operating strategy for the business you will lead.

· Lead the business: serve as CEO of a Gardner Standard platform company and own its performance, culture, and growth.

· Support the portfolio: contribute your perspective across our existing portfolio as opportunities arise.

Qualifications

· Prior CEO or President experience with full P&L responsibility in a manufacturing, industrial, aerospace and defense, or engineered products business.

· A track record of improving businesses under pressure, such as turnarounds, carve-outs, integrations, or rapid growth.

· A leader people want to follow, who builds strong teams and holds them accountable to a high standard.

· Strong financial fluency. You understand financial statements and know how to take action based on financial information.

· Experience in private equity backed, family-owned, or owner-led companies is a plus.

· Willingness to travel regularly to evaluate opportunities and work on site.

What We Offer

· Competitive compensation and a significant ownership opportunity in the business you lead.

· A real seat at the table on acquisitions, working directly with Gardner Standard leadership.

· Access to our active deal pipeline and sourcing network.

· A long-term capital partner that plans to own its businesses for five, ten or more years.

· The opportunity to lead a business you helped choose, with committed capital and hands-on support behind you.

Pay: $250,000.00 - $300,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Remote