Vice President, 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.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or 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

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

ABOUT THE TEAM

American Operator exists because we believe the American Dream is worth protecting, and that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. To do this well, we need a team that reflects the real world: operators, builders, investors, and problem-solvers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

MISSION-DRIVEN

Every company claims to be mission-driven, but our mission is simple, tangible, and urgent: preserve the legacy of America’s small businesses and create more pathways to meaningful ownership.

We partner with operators who want to step into leadership, take responsibility for great companies, and continue the work that founders spent decades building. When we succeed, communities keep their employers, families keep their livelihoods, and operators get the chance to build wealth through real ownership.

We work hard because we know what’s at stake: generational businesses that deserve to thrive, and talented operators who deserve the chance to lead them. And while we measure our success in deals closed and businesses grown, the real reward is seeing these companies continue to serve their people and their towns, stronger than before.

Where else do you get the opportunity to help someone become a CEO, preserve a founder’s life’s work, and strengthen a community, all in the same job? That’s what makes our work both serious and incredibly fulfilling.