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Portfolio CEO Event Design and Rental Company

American Operator


Job Location:

San Diego, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 160000 - 160000
Posted: 8 September 2026 (24 days ago)
Application Deadline: 27 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

ABOUT AMERICAN OPERATOR

American Operator exists to keep the American Dream alive through small-business leadership and ownership. We place experienced operators into businesses of retiring owners who want their lifes work placed in the hands of leaders who care. Over time our CEOs follow a clear pathway to earn significant equity in the business they lead.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced operator to lead an event production and rental company as CEO in partnership with American Operator. This is a rare opportunity to step into an entrepreneurial opportunity where the business is already profitable has a strong reputation a loyal customer base and an experienced team already in place.

As CEO youll assume full responsibility for day-to-day operations team leadership and P&L performance. This is not a turnaround situation its an opportunity to build on a solid foundation. Your focus will be on learning from the founder developing the existing team driving revenue through referral networks and partnerships executing with operational discipline and scaling the business from a position of strength.

American Operator will be your partner from day one providing strategic support resources and guidance while empowering you to lead independently. Most importantly youll have a clear path to earning significant equity ownership in the business you grow and lead.

WHAT YOULL DO

  • Own the day-to-day operations and P&L of a multi-department creative and production organization

  • Serve as a visionary and forward-thinking leader

  • Step in as the next leader of a newly acquired business and lead through the ownership transition

  • Oversee the sales team and drive growth through key accounts

  • Act as the primary decision maker for capital allocation across the business

  • Develop and lead the design fabrication floral and logistics departments with a culture of high accountability and performance

  • Partner with American Operator on strategy budgeting and growth planning

REQUIREMENTS

  • 10 years of leadership experience running a multi-department services business

  • Proven experience owning P&L performance and driving project-level profitability

  • Experience leading a creative design or experiential production team

  • Experience building high performance teams with accountability for hiring and firing

  • Managed rental or production inventory warehousing and logistics

  • Experience personally owning and growing major client relationships in a corporate hospitality events or agency market

  • Entrepreneurial leader who can set the company vision and lead with accountability

WHAT SETS YOU APART

  • Experience leading a founder-led business through an ownership transition

  • You have worked as a designer or alongside designers in events hospitality or production

  • Youve managed subcontracted work and seasonal labor

  • You have scaled a service or events business from seven-figures to eight-figures

COMPENSATION

Base salary: $160000 plus a 20% performance-based bonus opportunity distributions and meaningful equity participation beginning at 10% ownership in the company with the potential to increase ownership based on performance and value creation. Total compensation varies by portfolio company individual performance and deal structure and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

LOCATION

This opportunity is located in the greater San Diego metro area. The exact location of this business will be revealed during the interview process. Relocation will be required if you are not currently in or near the market of the opportunity.

Ready to lead the next chapter Before you apply we encourage you to visit to learn more about who we are how we work and what our operators have to say about the experience. When you are ready apply today to start the conversation.


Required Experience:

Chief


About Company

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American Operator acquires small businesses from retiring owners and partners with the next-generation of proven industry operators to own and lead their piece of the American Dream.

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