Shoreline is a rapidly growing firm implementing a roll-up strategy. Its expanding portfolio created a significant need for a senior executive to lead integrations and initiatives across their portfolio. Their ideal candidate needed to be a strategic operator who could manage complex integrations and also develop repeatable playbooks to maximize these value creation processes. They needed a strong leader who could establish relationships with their diverse stakeholders, motivate teams in fast-paced environments, drive growth through efficient processes – and be willing to travel or relocate within the Southeast region.

Identifying a dynamic executive with the qualifications necessary for Shoreline’s Vice President of Integrations and Initiatives posed several challenges.

First Value Creation hire to the firm: This was a brand-new role demanding a self-starter who would be comfortable building processes and leading independently. They would be reporting directly to the Managing Partner, which added another layer of complexity.

Specialized skill set: They needed someone with deep portfolio company operations experience, specifically in developing repeatable playbooks and establishing frameworks for executing integration initiatives. This required a hands-on, strategic thinker who could translate vision into action.

The “at bats” dilemma: Most of our PE clients run lean and require team members to wear many hats, and this situation was no different. If the candidate is too junior, they’d lack the necessary leadership and number of “at-bats” required; too senior, and they likely grew into a role that was too hands-off, making this role feel like a step backward.

Location, location, location: Being based in Neptune Beach, outside Jacksonville in northern Florida, presented a geographical challenge. This hire could also be based nearby their portcos in the southeast more generally, but even with that expanded target territory, the talent pool for this niche skill set was limited and our approach required a broader search and a high potential for relocation.

Spire Search Partners understood the various complexities of this search. Leveraging our 20+ years of private equity recruiting experience and deep relationship-driven network of industry leaders, we crafted a targeted strategy to find Shoreline’s ideal candidate.

Many funds in the US use roll-up investment strategies similar to Shoreline’s; however, they often outsource the integration process to third parties, or this work may be handled internally by a project manager or COO within the portfolio company, which wouldn’t give us what we needed.

Our approach was multi-faceted:

Strategic Targeting

The highest-performing pool of candidates is typically the most passive; to engage them, we tapped into our extensive networks and employed a multi-channel approach, including direct outreach, email, LinkedIn, and good old fashioned calling. Our highest priority target can get up to 9 touch points in an effort to engage passive talent. We targeted candidates at leading funds across the Southeast and on a national scale, focusing on those with proven portfolio operations and value creation expertise.

Comprehensive Mapping

Recognizing the thin, niche talent pool, we cast a wide net, analyzing candidates across various seniority levels. We didn’t just look at titles; we made sure to delve into responsibilities and past experiences to identify potential talent with solid backgrounds.

Rigorous Assessment

We developed a detailed scoring matrix to evaluate candidates based on skills, experience, and cultural fit. We gained a deep understanding of each prospect’s strengths and weaknesses through multiple interviews and in-depth assessments. Our score card for this role had 3 functional competencies and 2 behavioral competencies. We conducted in-depth, evidence-based interviews to objectively determine fit and the relative degree to which they were aligned.

Dynamic Re-steering

We maintained open communication with Shoreline, conducting weekly feedback calls to refine our search strategy, share market insights, exchange candidate feedback, and dynamically adapt to evolving needs. This iterative process ensured we stayed on track and maximized our chances of success.

After a thorough search and assessment of 75 individuals, we presented six highly qualified candidates to Shoreline. They ultimately selected an exceptional executive who not only met but exceeded their expectations. This individual was willing to relocate, further showing commitment to the role.

Spire Search Partners completed this complex search within ten weeks, demonstrating our ability to deliver top-tier talent even in the most niche markets. This successful placement empowered Shoreline to accelerate its value creation strategy and solidify its position as a leading player in the lower middle-market private equity landscape.