How do I become an Operating Partner in PE?

Short answer? You don’t.

You get invited.

It’s one of the most opaque, relationship-driven roles in private equity—and it doesn’t follow a normal recruiting process.

You don’t apply. There’s no job board. No clear path. It’s more secret society than career ladder.

Here’s why it’s hard:
1. No one’s advertising it
Most OP roles aren’t even posted. If you see one on LinkedIn, chances are the firm already has someone in mind and they’re just doing formalities. It’s a bit like asking a magician to reveal the trick.

2. It’s not a job, it’s a relationship
PE firms aren’t hiring someone to do tasks, they’re looking for someone they can bet the fund on. You’ll be parachuted into situations where you need to turn around, grow, or sell a company fast. That takes trust, and trust takes time.

3. There’s no standard CV
Some are ex-CEOs, some are functional experts (digital, sales, pricing), others are industry specialists. What matters is not pedigree, it’s pattern recognition, ability to influence founders and management teams, and real scars from doing the work.

4. You have to be invited
This is a referral-based world. You get tapped because you impressed someone in a portfolio company, or a partner remembers how you handled a mess five years ago. Most OPs got in by doing the job before they had the title.

5. You’re competing with insiders
Many firms will elevate former portfolio CEOs or trusted advisors into OP roles. They already know the playbook, the partners, the politics. You’re not just applying, you’re trying to displace someone with a head start.

So how do you break in?

Build a niche. Solve real problems. Be findable. Spend time with investment teams before they’re hiring. Get close to portfolio companies......they’re often the route in. And above all: execute. In PE, your work talks for you.