General Summary:

Ames Watson, a Maryland-based Private Equity firm is seeking a Vice President, in our Strategic Resources Group, to join its team in the greater Washington DC – Baltimore region.

Ames Watson is a private holding company with over $2 billion in revenue that purchases, partners with, and transforms companies to create long-term value. Our strategy is to bring more than capital to companies. We bring energy, know-how, problem solving, deep resources and experience to grow companies, and move them past “inflection points.” Ames Watson is a permanent capital holding company with committed capital and the resources to move quickly and the capabilities to help businesses reach long-term success.

Objectives of the Role:

The Vice President at Ames is first and foremost the primary link between portfolio companies and Ames Watson. They are responsible for driving urgency at portfolio companies, monitor progress by tracking reporting, identifying, and recruiting new management, and leading key projects to improve companies. Similar to consulting projects, these initiatives include process improvement, cost cutting, upgrading talent, increasing sales and new lines of businesses. The Vice President will work with a combination of company personnel and Ames resources to drive change and execute on our investment plan.

Responsibilities:

• Overseeing operations for Ames Watson’s portfolio companies including providing timely updates, guiding portfolio company management, and overseeing company reporting.
• Communicate daily with the Ames Watson team to leverage our resources to support the various company objectives and needs. An Ames Watson VP stays multiple steps ahead of all projects, and proactively (defined as “daily”), pushes and pulls updates from the portfolio company Operating Partner. VP’s are looking for the “next steps” and looking for risks in every project.
• Continuously assess the senior leaders in the company to build the team. When appropriate, under the guidance of the portfolio company Operating Partner, hire new managers at all levels of the company to ensure that we achieve our plan.
• Work with portfolio company senior leaders to assess and develop growth potential and performance objectives. Partner with individual leaders of business lines to establish realistic performance objectives, in writing and with timelines.
• Maintain comprehensive operational and strategic responsibility at portfolio companies for human resources administration, business intelligence and growth, financial performance, operational excellence, marketing, sales, and distribution.
• Identify and execute the key strategic initiatives across the business plans as outlined in the Ames Watson investment thesis. These plans will evolve. Develop strategic direction and growth initiatives in a format that clearly outlines ROI.
• Ensure that other companies within the portfolio are collaborating and communicating across our portfolio of strategic initiatives.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Four-year bachelor’s degree, and graduate degree in Master of Business Administration, or graduate degree in a comparable, relevant field.
• 5+ years of operational or consulting experience.
• 4+ years managing direct and/or indirect reports. Regional leadership and oversight experience preferred.
• Operational knowledge of financial metrics to include cash management, profitability and capital asset performance.
• Operational knowledge and experience in data analytics and data management.
• Operations knowledge in resource planning, demand planning, business planning, corporate strategy, communications, leadership, benchmarking, and forecasting required.
• Market research, analytical, and presentation skills required.
• Organizational and management skills in prioritizing and synchronizing multiple work streams while meeting deadlines. Must be results-oriented with the ability to change priorities as needed.
• Must be able to demonstrate strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy.
• Be sensitive to the needs and demands of both Ames’ priorities, and the portfolio company priorities, and display an ability to manage and synchronize both simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to protect confidential information.
• Ability to travel by automobile and aircraft and be away from home for more than one day and night.
• Manage solicitations with board members and sponsors and provide outcome reports.
• Ability to work in a team environment with little supervision.