Portfolio CEO: Landscaping

American Operator CEO Opportunity

American Operator exists to keep the American Dream alive through small-business leadership and ownership. We place experienced operators into businesses of retiring owners who want their life's work placed in the hands of leaders who care. Over time, our CEOs follow a clear pathway to earn significant equity in the business they lead.

We are looking for an experienced operator to lead a landscaping company as CEO in partnership with American Operator. This is a rare opportunity to step into a profitable, established business with a strong reputation, loyal customer base, and an experienced team already in place.

As CEO, you'll assume full responsibility for day-to-day operations, team leadership, and P&L performance. This is not a turnaround situation, it's an opportunity to build on a solid foundation. Your focus will be on developing and retaining a great team, driving customer acquisition and growth, executing with operational discipline, and scaling the business from a position of strength.

American Operator will be your partner from day one, providing strategic support, resources, and guidance while empowering you to lead independently. Most importantly, you'll have a clear path to earning significant equity ownership in the business you grow and lead.

What You'll Do

• Grow the business with a focus on key performance metrics as you lead all business day-to-day operations
• Oversee the estimating and bidding process to make sure that the business is winning projects profitably
• Develop and lead crew leaders and office staff with a culture of high accountability and performance
• Ensure crews deliver consistent, high quality service across every account and route
• Protect and grow the recurring maintenance base through strong account retention and renewals
• Recruit, manage, and develop field teams in a physically challenging industry with seasonality
• Win new accounts and expand existing ones through enhancements, local relationships, and disciplined estimating
• Partner with American Operator on strategy, budgeting, and growth planning

Requirements

• 10+ years of leadership experience with at least 3 years of direct field crew oversight
• Experience owning P&L performance
• Track record of leading and growing a recurring-contract, field-services business with crews and seasonal labor (landscaping, grounds maintenance, janitorial or facility services, snow, pest control, or a similar trade)
• Currently located in or a willingness to relocate to one of our target markets (North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Arizona, or Tennessee)

What Sets You Apart

• A competitive spirit that always finds a way to win
• Military leadership experience
• Experience managing hardscaping or other residential or commercial construction projects
• An Irrigator license or are a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator

Compensation

Base salary: $130,000–$190,000, plus performance-based bonus opportunities, distributions, and meaningful equity participation beginning at 10% ownership, with the potential to increase based on performance and value creation. Total compensation varies by portfolio company, individual performance, and deal structure, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Location

Our active markets include North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Arizona, and Tennessee. Relocation will be required if you are not currently in or near the market of the opportunity.

Ready to lead the next chapter? Before you apply, we encourage you to visit americanoperator.com to learn more about who we are, how we work, and what our operators have to say about the experience. When you are ready, apply today to start the conversation.