If you’re a COO in a Private Equity–backed business and considering your next step, know this: PE firms don’t hire COOs for keeping the lights on — they hire COOs who scale platforms, integrate acquisitions, and deliver exits.

Too many COO resumes read like operations job descriptions. That’s a wasted opportunity. Sponsors want operators who can show they’ve professionalised businesses, expanded capacity, and built infrastructure that underpins value creation.

What PE Firms Expect to See

• Revenue & Margin Growth – How did you scale operations without losing profitability? Show revenue expansion alongside margin protection or accretion.

• Operational Transformation – Did you implement ERP, introduce shared services, or standardise KPIs? This proves you can take a company from founder-led to institutional-grade.

• M&A Execution – Sponsors lean on COOs to integrate acquisitions. Detail how many you’ve done, how fast, and the impact on cost synergies and growth.

• Market Expansion – Greenfield launches, geographic expansions, or new service lines — highlight the operational mechanics behind the growth.

• Exit Leadership – COOs who have sat at the table during diligence, CIM prep, and buyer meetings stand out. This is one of the most valuable experiences to document.

The Difference Between Winning and Losing Candidates

Weak COO resumes list responsibilities.
Winning COO resumes demonstrate scalable impact: revenue doubled, margins preserved, acquisitions integrated, systems implemented, and exits delivered.

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Examples of How to Write It

Example 1: Residential HVAC Services COO

Chief Operating Officer | PORTFOLIO COMPANY | PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM | 2018 – 2024
COO of a $270M residential services platform with 1,300 employees. Partnered with sponsor to expand into plumbing, electrical, and new service lines, while preparing the business for exit.

• Revenue Growth: $85M → $270M across HVAC (60%), plumbing (25%), electrical (10%), and new verticals

• EBITDA: Maintained 18–20% margins while scaling aggressively; captured EBITDA accretion via vendor renegotiations, fleet/logistics optimisation, and SG&A discipline

• Operational Improvements: Grew maintenance agreements to 200,000+, launched online scheduling, and added upsell campaigns lifting lead flow +25%

• New Services: Introduced generator sales (Generac dealer) and water treatment, boosting cross-sell penetration

• Market Expansion & M&A: Opened new metro projected at $32M run-rate revenue; integrated acquisitions without disrupting brand equity

• Leadership: Recruited senior VPs across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical; revamped recruiting/training to sustain scaling

• Exit: Led diligence, CIM prep, management presentations, and integration readiness. Business sold at 15x EBITDA

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Example 2: Global Tools & Equipment Distributor COO

Chief Operating Officer | PORTFOLIO COMPANY | PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM | 2006 – 2022
Promoted to COO after leading M&A and operations during rapid scale-up. Partnered with two PE sponsors, executed 13 acquisitions, and transitioned company from founder-led to institutional-grade platform.

• Revenue Growth: $140M → $500M (50% organic, 50% M&A); organic growth via national accounts, catalog expansion, e-commerce, and Europe entry

• EBITDA Growth: $8M → $36M by automating inventory, rationalising distribution, applying Lean logistics, and leveraging supplier rebates

• M&A Execution: 13 acquisitions integrated with ERP and shared services; captured synergies in finance, IT, HR

• Operational Excellence: Implemented enterprise ERP, standardised KPIs, automated demand planning, and built leadership bench across supply chain, sales, and finance

• Exits:

  • 8.7x EBITDA sale from founder to PE sponsor; promoted to COO post-close

  • 13x EBITDA PE-to-PE exit; led CIM prep, diligence, and buyer engagement

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Final Word

Your resume isn’t about listing operational duties — it’s about showing how you scaled, professionalised, and integrated businesses to create equity value. PE firms want to see that you can build infrastructure, sustain margins at scale, and sit at the table during exit. That’s what makes a COO resume stand out.

If you’re considering your next COO role in Private Equity or looking to hire a proven operator for your portfolio, we treat every search with full confidentiality.

Reach out in confidence to Alex Rawlings: alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com