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Operating Partner Private Equity Jobs in Colorado

Top AmLaw 100 law firm seeks an associate to join their Corporate/Private Equity Team in their ... In addition to working on cutting-edge PE/M&A deals, the right candidate will be a thought partner ...

ASSOCIATE, PRIVATE EQUITY

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

... trusted partnership to pursue what matters most. Our Values *Disclosures related to awards ... investing in private equity, real estate, and other investment opportunities. Cresset Asset ...

... owners and operators to bring their visions of communities - where people live, work, shop, and ... Department Overview Walker & Dunlop Investment Partners (WDIP) is a real estate private equity firm ...

Overview FMI's Private Equity Services Practice focuses on supporting financial sponsors investing ... Work directly with principals and partners to assess, analyze and develop a methodology to test and ...

Overview FMI's Private Equity Services Practice focuses on supporting financial sponsors investing ... Work directly with principals and partners to assess, analyze and develop a methodology to test and ...

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Operating Partner Private Equity information

See Colorado salary details

$49.4K

$105.3K

$150.4K

How much do operating partner private equity jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for operating partner private equity in Colorado is $105,341.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,600.00 and $126,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Operating Partner Private Equity vs Investment Associate Private Equity?

AspectOperating Partner Private EquityInvestment Associate Private Equity
CredentialsExperience in management, industry expertise, often MBA or similarFinance degree, MBA or CFA often preferred
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with portfolio companies, focuses on operational improvementsConducts financial analysis, due diligence, and deal sourcing
Employer & Industry UsagePrivate equity firms, portfolio companiesPrivate equity firms, investment banks

Operating Partner Private Equity professionals focus on improving portfolio companies' operations, leveraging industry experience. Investment Associates primarily analyze deals, perform financial modeling, and support investment decisions. Both roles are integral to private equity but differ in responsibilities and skill sets.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Operating Partner in Private Equity, and why are they important?

To excel as an Operating Partner in Private Equity, extensive experience in executive leadership, financial acumen, and a strong track record of driving operational improvements are essential, often backed by an MBA or similar advanced degree. Familiarity with financial modeling, portfolio management software, and due diligence tools is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, strategic vision, and the ability to influence and mentor management teams help set top performers apart. These competencies are vital for maximizing portfolio company value, ensuring successful exits, and generating superior returns for investors.

What are Operating Partners in private equity?

Operating Partners in private equity are experienced executives who work with portfolio companies to improve their operations, drive growth, and increase value. Unlike investment professionals who focus on deal sourcing and financial structuring, Operating Partners leverage their industry expertise to help companies optimize processes, implement strategic initiatives, and enhance performance. They play a crucial role in executing value-creation plans set by the private equity firm and often serve as advisors or interim leaders within portfolio companies. Their goal is to ensure that the companies reach their full potential before being sold or taken public.

What are common challenges Operating Partners in Private Equity face when driving value creation across portfolio companies?

Operating Partners in Private Equity often encounter the challenge of balancing strategic oversight with hands-on involvement across multiple portfolio companies. They must quickly build trust with management teams, identify key operational improvements, and implement best practices tailored to each business's unique context. Additionally, aligning all stakeholders on growth initiatives and ensuring timely execution while navigating complex change management processes can be demanding. Success in this role requires strong communication, adaptability, and a results-oriented mindset.
What are popular job titles related to Operating Partner Private Equity jobs in Colorado? For Operating Partner Private Equity jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Operating Partner Private Equity jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Operating Partner Private Equity jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Operating Partner Private Equity jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Operating Partner Private Equity job openings:
Infographic showing various Operating Partner Private Equity job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $105,341 per year, or $50.6 per hour.

Saturn Five - Operating Partner

Trinity Park Talent Opportunities

Denver, CO โ€ข On-site

$119K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Operating Partner
Shepherd lower middle market portfolio companies to thrive.
What We're About
Saturn Five is a long-term-hold investment firm focused on buying and operating some of the best small businesses in America. We are, technically, a lower-middle-market private equity company, but we're a bit different. We buy and hold our investments for the long term, and we invest in companies that we're proud of, but most of the private equity market isn't interested in. If you love the impact of well-run businesses and want to play a key role in helping these companies thrive, we may have a seat for you. You can learn more about Saturn Five in our Annual Letters.
The Role: Operating Partner
Operating Partners are Saturn Five's primary connective tissue between our funds and the portfolio companies. An Operating Partner works one-on-one with our CEOs and engages with their leadership teams to guide and support them, to monitor our investments, and to help direct key activities like distributions, strategic decisions and large capital expenditures. Think of this as a hands-on board member role. You'll engage with three to six of our portfolio companies from the onboarding stage to steady state, and support them at key inflection points.
The Operating Partner ensures there's a regular cadence with the portfolio company leadership: from regular check-ins, to monthly financial reviews, quarterly goal-setting, and annual planning and budgeting. In addition, the Operating Partner is responsible for hiring and onboarding portfolio company CEOs as need arises.
Key Responsibilities
  • Transition new investments into the Saturn Five ecosystem, including managing transition of banking, insurance, payroll, and internal management systems of the new entities, either through Asset or Stock Purchase Agreements
  • Quickly gain domain expertise in your portfolio companies' respective industries, identifying 'who we need to know' in a given industry and how Saturn Five can be most immediately helpful to new acquisitions at a strategic level
  • Jump in to assist portfolio company leaders with key initiatives - negotiating a new contract, developing and coaching on a hiring plan for a key management role, helping identify new vendors for a critical project, or managing bank permissions and authorities
  • Coach, mentor, and assess company senior leadership
  • Lead CEO/President/GM hiring processes when sellers retire or a leader needs to be replaced
  • Assist portco leaders in the creation and refinement of Annual Operating Plans and Annual Budgets
  • Lead Weekly Metrics calls and Monthly Book Reviews with portco leadership on an iterative journey towards data-driven management
  • Design senior and second-level-leader compensation and incentive programs for individual portcos
  • Roll out the Saturn Five Way (an EOS-informed small business operating system) at new and existing portfolio companies
  • Project targeted quarterly distributions and support portco leaders to achieve targeted results

Who You Are
The position calls for a strong general-management athlete who knows what it's like to be in the leaders' seat and understands small business finance, sales, and operations. You'll excel if you can move from the boardroom to the factory floor or construction site with ease. We like "scrappy" around here, so if you know what it means to roll up your sleeves and serve, and you genuinely enjoy doing so, you'll like this gig.
  • You are a mid-career leader who has had senior-level leadership experience, and been in the final decision makers seat.
  • Ideally, you've owned or led a business, and had true P&L and balance sheet responsibility, preferably at a smaller company ($2-10M EBITDA)
  • You are a high EQ 'leader of leaders' who can toggle easily between highly-directive (when needed, usually rarely) and leadership-by-influence (more common) styles
  • You have equal comfort with implementing structured reporting systems (like disciplined quarterly "board" meetings) and connecting relationally on a jobsite with entry-level, hourly employees
  • You have a high capacity for rapid context switching between the varied issues across multiple portfolio companies several times a day
  • You're wicked smart and proactive
  • You're kind, firm, and grounded
  • You have a good sense of humor ... you take your work seriously, but not yourself
  • You prize excellence, and hold a high bar for the quality of your work and the work of others around you
  • You're comfortable with some ambiguity and stepping into messy situations, with a bias toward action, process improvement, and systematizing
  • You have high intensity horsepower, stamina and drive; you enjoy moving mountains, pushing initiatives forward, and driving successful outcomes with a willingness to jump in and do hands-on work
  • You love small business
  • You want your work to matter
  • You share our core values of Adventure, Joy, Trust, Excellence, and Love

What You Must Bring
  • An undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, or a related field; an MBA or other relevant graduate degree is a plus
  • 10+ years of post-undergrad work experience, with a broad base of business and leadership experience, including hands-on operating experience as a business owner or leader in a SMB with P&L responsibility; experience successfully scaling and exiting a SMB is a plus
  • Solid financial acumen, knowledge of general finance and budgeting, including profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow management
  • Functional expertise in one or more of the following: corporate finance, sales management, digital marketing, safety, insurance and risk management, human resources, M&A, succession planning, incentive compensation, blue collar hiring programs, EOS implementation, etc.
  • Facility with strategic planning, metrics and management rhythms
  • Domain expertise in service businesses, manufacturing, specialty contracting, materials distribution, private equity, or early-stage investing is a plus
  • Emotional intelligence to support leaders and organizations through strategic milestones and day-to-day battles
  • Comfort with being on-site with blue-collar portfolio companies, sometimes out-of-state, and often quite intensively (every week to every-other-week) the first few months post-acquisition
  • Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
  • Unquestionable integrity and ethics

The Details
Location: On-site in the Saturn Five office in Northwest Denver with travel at least twice a month to visit portfolio companies
Compensation & Benefits:
  • Base salary commensurate with experience
  • Performance-based bonus
  • Betterment 401(k) with an up-to 4% match
  • Health and dental insurance
  • Self-directed PTO
  • Monthly coaching/counseling stipend
  • Monthly date night allowance for you and your spouse