Portfolio CEO: Event Rental Company

American Operator•Philadelphia, PA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

American Operator is seeking a CEO to lead an established event and party rental business in the Greater Philadelphia metro area. The business has operated for more than two decades, serves a diversified customer base of catering firms, event venues, schools, non-profits, corporate clients, and individuals, and is supported by a tenured management team and inside and outside sales functions. The business runs on a substantial equipment fleet that is rented out for weddings, corporate events, school programs, and community gatherings across the region. As CEO, you will have full P&L responsibility and lead the business through a leadership transition from the retiring owner with American Operator as your strategic partner throughout. This is not a corporate management position and it is not a solo operation. It is a hands-on leadership role where you will be in the warehouse, on customer calls, and in the field with your team during peak season, supported by a partner that provides the resources, and strategic guidance to help you succeed. The business is healthy, the team is tenured, and the first job is not to fix what is broken. It is to retain the people and customers who built the company, and position the business for long term growth. Given American Operators model of local ownership, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the value you deliver with real equity over time.

Requirements

10+ years of leadership experience
3+ years of full P&L ownership
3+ years of direct hiring and firing experience
Experience building and executing a go-to-market plan for a service business
Leadership roles in a small business of 100 employees or fewer
Experience leading a services business that is driven through referrals networks and partnerships

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in event rental, party rental, equipment rental, or tool rental. A strong understanding of unique financial mechanics of the rental businesses
Experience leading and optimizing a warehouse and logistics team, including routing, job scheduling, and inventory management
Experience filling in as the next leader of a tenured team
Entrepreneurial mindset and equity-forward motivation. You are drawn to this opportunity because of the path to ownership, not just the operating role

Responsibilities

Lead a multi-function operation across warehouse, logistics, inside sales, and outside sales, and drive measurable results across each
Own the full P&L, with particular attention to gross margin, labor productivity, and capital equipment reinvestment
Retain and develop the existing team
Manage a large rental equipment fleet with discipline on inventory utilization, asset condition, lifecycle planning, and replacement capex
Build and protect customer relationships
Nurture and develop the local referral network that drives organic growth
Recruit, train, and retain seasonal field and warehouse labor through spring and summer peak periods
Uphold the company's reputation and culture while bringing the leadership and ambition to take it further
Partner with American Operator on strategy, budgeting, and growth planning