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What is an operating partner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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An operating partner acts as a liaison between private equity firms and their portfolio companies. He/She ensures that the executive team has the resources, team members, and processes it needs to meet the set objectives. He/She assists with staffing plans for existing offices and expansion locations. Furthermore, he/she leads planning, forecasting, and due diligence to support the company's growth and objectives. Also, he/she creates strategic plans to aid the growth and development of portfolio companies.

For this position, you need a bachelor's degree in a related field with at least five years of relevant work experience. Key skills include organization, communication, time management, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills. You must be proficient in software applications like Microsoft Office, CRM, and the likes. You must also be conversant with resource planning and business planning. Operating partners make an average salary of $68,458 per annum. It ranges between $40,000 and $118,000.

ScoreOperating PartnerUS Average
Salary
7.3

Avg. Salary $93,101

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.43%

Black or African American 6.25%

Hispanic or Latino 15.44%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.06%

Gender

female 21.17%

male 78.83%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Operating partner career paths

Key steps to become an operating partner

  1. Explore operating partner education requirements

    Most common operating partner degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.5 %

    Associate

    16.1 %

    Master's

    9.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific operating partner skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management15.77%
    Shared Services10.33%
    Digital Marketing9.14%
    Facebook9.03%
    Human Resources7.56%
  3. Complete relevant operating partner training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New operating partners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an operating partner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real operating partner resumes.
  4. Research operating partner duties and responsibilities

    • Manage operations for BOH & FOH, set up venues POS system.
    • Manage all operations, logistics, shop, field service, maintenance, repair and machine shop.
    • Establish, manage and coordinate activities of this start-up management company specializing in turning around trouble health insurance plans.
    • Negotiate and determine the programming for POS system.
  5. Prepare your operating partner resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your operating partner resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an operating partner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable operating partner resume templates

    Build a professional operating partner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your operating partner resume.
    Operating Partner Resume
    Operating Partner Resume
    Operating Partner Resume
    Operating Partner Resume
    Operating Partner Resume
    Operating Partner Resume
    Operating Partner Resume
    Operating Partner Resume
    Operating Partner Resume
  6. Apply for operating partner jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an operating partner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first operating partner job

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Average operating partner salary

The average operating partner salary in the United States is $93,101 per year or $45 per hour. Operating partner salaries range between $55,000 and $156,000 per year.

Average operating partner salary
$93,101 Yearly
$44.76 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do operating partners rate their job?

-/5

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Operating partner reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

I have direct impact on building structure into the organisation. Creating policies that make our company safe and efficient. Develop and mentor employees to achieve company goals.

Cons

The only thing that would make my career a little better is the pay.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

People Busy Money Busy and variety in a job Solving problems

Cons

Lack of benefits Lifting heavy things Sitting at a desk entitely


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Being the captain of the team and encouraging positive results.

Cons

The company I worked for didn't do a lot to upgrade their processes and got caught up in some greedy business that hasn't paid off for the company.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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