As Principal Consultant within the Stanton House Private Equity Practice, I specialise in placing CFO’s and their direct reports into Private Equity-backed (PE-backed) businesses. As a result of this, I have daily conversations with industry experts and senior finance leaders. Through these discussions, I’ve gained valuable insights into what it takes to successfully transition into senior roles within PE-backed firms. Private Equity environments demand a unique blend of skills, and for those looking to make the move, understanding how to position yourself is crucial.

Here, I’ll share practical tips and strategies for landing a senior finance role in a PE-backed business, based on what I’ve learned from those on the front lines of the industry.

Why Private Equity-Backed Companies Seek Senior Finance Talent

PE-backed businesses operate with a clear mission: to drive operational improvements, grow profitability, and create value within a set timeframe, often with an exit in mind. This means that finance professionals play a crucial role in delivering these objectives.

When I speak to hiring managers in PE-backed firms, the same themes keep coming up. They’re looking for senior finance leaders who bring not only technical expertise but also a strategic mindset capable of driving change. These businesses need finance professionals who can go beyond the numbers, making tangible improvements to the way the company operates. Teams are often lean and therefore it is important that each individual delivers impact.

1. Showcase Your Strategic Financial Skills

If you’re aiming for a senior role in a PE-backed company, it’s essential to showcase how your financial decisions have driven business performance and overall value. It’s not just about financial reporting — the executive hiring team will want you to showcase your skillset, for example, how you’ve improved profitability, optimised EBITDA, or enhanced cash flow in a previous role.

From my experience, candidates who can point to specific tangible examples where they’ve taken a strategic role in steering a company’s financial direction often stand out. Be prepared to highlight these stories during the interview process.

2. Highlight Operational Experience

Another common theme I hear from PE-backed businesses is the need for finance leaders who can drive operational improvement. PE investors are hands-on, and they want to see results —whether that’s in cutting costs to drive EBITDA or improving efficiency through enhanced processes and systems.

If you’ve worked in a VC-backed company, you might be used to focusing on growth at all costs as well as getting a business to a revenue generating position. But in PE, there are some differences where focus shifts to optimising operations and delivering true value. I often advise candidates to highlight any experience they have in process improvement, performance tracking, or working closely with operational teams to achieve broader business objectives.

When preparing for interviews, think about times where you’ve contributed to making a business more efficient or driven operational changes that improved financial performance. This is what PE-backed firms are looking for.

3. Adapt Your Leadership Style

One of the most important points I hear from finance professionals already working in Private Equity is how different the leadership expectations can be. PE-backed businesses expect results, often within tight timeframes, and they need leaders who are decisive and can execute a plan.

If you’re coming from a more flexible, growth-oriented VC-backed environment, there might be some adjustment. Finance leaders in this space must manage both the expectations of investors and the demands of the business.

When you’re applying for roles in PE-backed companies, it’s important to demonstrate that you can take a more structured approach to leadership. Talk about how you’ve delivered against financial targets or executed on a strategic plan in previous roles. The ability to manage high levels of accountability will set you apart from other candidates.

4. Understand Private Equity Metrics

From the daily conversations I have with candidates and hiring managers, one of the biggest differences between VC and PE-backed companies is the financial metrics that matter. In Private Equity, the focus is on EBITDA, cash flow, and profitability—not just top-line revenue growth.

If you’re moving into a senior finance role in a PE-backed firm, you need to be fluent in these metrics. Many candidates I work with have strong financial skills but aren’t as familiar with the specific demands of Private Equity. Make sure you can confidently speak to topics like debt structuring, working capital management, and cost optimisation.

Being able to talk about how you’ve improved these key metrics in previous roles will give you a real advantage in the recruitment process.

5. Leverage Your Network

I can’t stress enough how important networking is when looking to land a role in Private Equity. Private Equity is a close-knit world, and often, the best opportunities are found through personal connections or specialist recruitment consultancies like Stanton House.

Many of the senior finance professionals I speak to have made key career moves through their network. If you’re looking to transition into a PE-backed business, take the time to build relationships with people who are already in the sector. Reach out to mentors, attend industry events, and engage with recruiters who specialise in Private Equity.

At Stanton House, we spend every day building relationships with PE-Funds and PE-Backed portfolio businesses, so we know exactly what they’re looking for in candidates. Lean on your network—it can open doors that you might not find on job boards.

6. Be Prepared for a Rigorous Recruitment Process

PE-backed companies are highly selective when it comes to senior hires, and the recruitment process can be intense. One common theme from hiring managers I work with is the expectation that candidates will be ready to hit the ground running.

In interviews, expect to be asked detailed questions about your experience in financial management, operational improvement, and working with investors. You’ll need to demonstrate that you have a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing PE-backed businesses and show how you’ve delivered results in high-pressure environments.

My advice is to come prepared with concrete examples of how you’ve driven financial performance, created value, Professionalised and managed relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The more specific you can be, the better your chances of standing out.

Conclusion: Position Yourself for Success in Private Equity

Making the move into a senior finance role in a PE-backed company is challenging, but the rewards can be significant. From my speaking to our network, I know that the key to success lies in your ability to adapt to the demands of Private Equity, demonstrate operational expertise, and show that you can manage the metrics that drive value.

At Stanton House, we specialise in placing Senior Finance and Accountancy professionals into PE-backed businesses, and we’re here to help you navigate the process. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, let’s have a conversation about how we can help you land your ideal role.

You can also browse our latest Private Equity jobs here.