Sr. Associate, Portfolio Operations, Value Creation Team Job Description
Overview
LLR Partners is hiring a Sr. Associate, Portfolio Operations to join its Value Creation Team (VCT). In this role, you will serve as an operator-in-residence for ~4-6 portfolio companies, responsible for driving performance alongside management teams and across the full company investment lifecycle from initial investment through exit. As the embedded value creation lead for each company, you will partner with management to monitor performance, drive development and execution of company-specific value creation plans, and maintain alignment with LLR’s investment thesis. You’ll also serve as an LLR liaison, providing real-time insights to Investment Teams and coordinating with the Value Creation Team to activate the right functional experts, tools, and frameworks to accelerate growth and improve operational maturity.
The ideal candidate combines financial, operational and analytical depth, strong instincts, interpersonal skills, and the ability to shift between strategic thought partner and tactical problem solver based on company needs with a focus on driving meaningful performance improvement.
This role reports to the Director, Portfolio Operations with direct accountability to the Investment Team Partner, and will work closely with CEOs and portfolio management teams. This is a remote role that requires frequent travel to LLR’s office in Philadelphia and to LLR portfolio companies.
Accountabilities
- Align Stakeholders: Liaise as trusted advisor between LLR Investment Team, portfolio company management team and VCT
- Serve as Quarterback between management, investment team, VCT functional leaders, and the Board to ensure coordination and clarity of shared expectations
- Contribute operational context to Board updates and to LLR reporting: Investment Committee materials, portfolio reviews, etc.
- Orchestrate Functional Support: Scope, activate, and integrate VCT functional resources and 3P vendors
- Identify opportunities to engage VCT functional experts (including identification of ‘plays’ to run) or third-party vendors and support scoping of engagements
- Track delivery and follow-through on VCT and third-party work to deliver on intended outcomes
- Ensure execution of functional playbooks and recommendations, holding the company and relevant stakeholders accountable for follow-through
- Drive Execution: Develop and deliver tailored Value Creation Plans (VCP)
- Develop VCP with key stakeholders. Work with Investment Team to ensure alignment with investment thesis
- Drive accountability across management and functional owners to ensure progress on VCP Initiatives, supporting hands-on execution where initiatives lag
- Monitor Performance: Track performance and activity, and flag issues early
- Maintain a real-time operational pulse on company performance
- Develop / refine dashboards with management to track key metrics and KPI’s
- Monitor financial and operating metrics to diagnose early drivers of underperformance, surface emerging risks, gaps, or misalignment and propose solutions
Experience, Skills and Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or Business; MBA or advanced degree preferred but not required
- 4-8+ years of experience in a combination of financial, operating, consulting or strategic roles
- Previous work directly with an early-stage technology company or in an operating role at a PE firm preferred but not required
- Strong financial acumen and data literacy; understands how strategic initiatives align with financial statements and operational metrics
- Applies exceptional analytical and structured problem-solving skills to synthesize inputs into action; Navigates seamlessly between high-level strategic thinking and ground-level execution
- Leads development, sequencing, and focused execution of strategic plans in fast-paced or resource-constrained environments
- Ability to build trust and credibility with CEOs, Investment Team partners, and VCT leaders; ability to influence without formal authority
- Exceptional project management skills and strong ability to manage several concurrent projects with a high degree of independence
- Communicates with clarity in high-stakes settings
- Willingness to travel to portfolio companies (up to 50% of time)
Mindset:
- Low-ego and execution-oriented; takes ownership without seeking credit
- Moves with urgency; has a bias for action and pragmatic problem solving
- Candid communicator; voices hard truths to leadership with clarity and respect
- Naturally collaborative; builds trust and clarity across stakeholders
- Brings a company-first perspective that is grounded in the realities of internal execution, not just advisory or investor roles