About the Firm A founder-led independent sponsor pursuing control acquisitions of essential-services businesses — trades, healthcare services, and multi-unit franchises — across the Southeast and Midwest, targeting $1M–$15M EBITDA. The firm sources, structures, and closes acquisitions, then works directly with operators to grow the businesses it owns. The Opportunity We're looking for one equity partner to join as a true co-owner of the platform — not an associate, not an analyst. You'll take real ownership of sourcing, underwriting, negotiating, and closing new acquisitions, and stay involved post-close, working with portfolio company operators on performance and growth. This is a build-it-together role for someone who wants equity and a long-term stake, not just another seat at a fund. What You'll Do • Source and evaluate acquisition targets in the firm's core verticals, leveraging existing deal-sourcing infrastructure and pipeline • Lead financial and operational due diligence, valuation, and deal structuring • Drive negotiations through LOI, purchase agreement, and closing • Take an active oversight role with portfolio companies post-close — financial performance, strategic decisions, and value creation • Help shape the firm's investment thesis and build out the platform alongside the founder What We're Looking For • Prior experience at a lower-middle-market private equity firm or independent sponsor, with direct, hands-on involvement sourcing, closing, and overseeing acquired companies (not just staffed-on deal support) • A genuine entrepreneurial mindset — comfortable with the ambiguity and pace of a small, founder-led platform rather than a large fund's process • Strong financial modeling, deal structuring, and negotiation skills • Willingness to take equity/carry as a meaningful part of compensation in exchange for real ownership and upside • Based in or willing to be based in the Southeast or Midwest preferred Compensation Base salary plus a meaningful equity/carry stake in the platform (target range 20–30%), with the infrastructure, deal pipeline, and capital relationships of an established sponsor behind you from day one. To Apply Reply via Searchfunder message — happy to share more about the firm and current pipeline on a confidential call.