Company
For over 30 years, The Ariel Group has worked with the most preeminent organizations in the world to help build critical skills in communication, leadership and collaboration. The Ariel Group’s wide range of professional development offerings focus on unleashing human potential through in-person and virtual instructor led cohort based experiential learning, as well as offering world-class one-on-one executive coaching.
The Ariel Group helps unlock potential in professionals at all levels, from new managers to the C-suite, pinpointing opportunities for growth and providing the right mix of workshops, digital tools and 1-on-1 coaching, with leaders emerging more agile, empowered, and equipped to drive business growth, innovation, and results in today’s disruptive business environment.
The Investors
Founded in 2010, Renovus Capital Partners is a lower middle market private equity firm, with deep roots in the Knowledge and Talent industries. From its base in the Philadelphia area, Renovus manages over $2 billion across its sector focused funds and other strategies. The firm’s current portfolio includes over 35 U.S. based businesses specializing in education and training, healthcare services, technology services and professional services. Renovus typically partners with founder-led businesses, leveraging its experience within the industry and access to debt and equity capital to make operational improvements, recruit top talent, pursue add-on acquisitions, and oversee strategic growth initiatives.
Opportunity
This CEO opportunity at Ariel Group presents a unique chance to lead a mission-driven leadership development company in the knowledge sector. The incoming CEO will be responsible for driving revenue growth, improving sales execution, and unifying product offerings. This leader will have the opportunity to revamp the company’s go-to-market strategy and position the business for a successful exit, in partnership with Renovus Capital.
Primary responsibilities:
- Stabilize and Grow Revenue:
- Develop a roadmap to achieve annual revenue growth through improved sales execution and client engagement.
- Enhance Sales and Client Services:
- Restructure and optimize the sales team, including compensation, accountability, and overall effectiveness.
- Improve cross-selling capabilities to drive adoption of the company’s coaching and cohort-based training solutions.
- Develop a cohesive and compelling go-to-market strategy and messaging to better position Ariel’s offerings in the market.
- Unify Product Offerings:
- Integrate coaching and experiential learning/cohort training into a more seamless and comprehensive leadership development solution.
- Inspire and Motivate the Team:
- Foster a culture of accountability, urgency, and innovation while maintaining the company’s mission-driven ethos.
- Serve as a dynamic and inspirational leader, energizing the team and reinforcing the value of Ariel’s impact in leadership development.
- Prepare for a Successful Sale:
- Work closely with Renovus Capital to position the company for a strategic exit.
Ideal Candidate
You are a results-driven and inspirational leader with deep expertise in the knowledge sector, particularly in selling into HR and Learning & Development (L&D) departments at large enterprises. You bring a balance of strategic vision and operational excellence, fostering accountability, urgency, and growth across an organization. You have the interpersonal skills to energize and inspire a mission-driven team, driving revenue expansion and long-term impact.
You should have the following experiences and skill sets:
- Significant experience operating at the enterprise level within the broader knowledge sector, ideally selling into HR and L&D departments.
- Proven track record as a results-oriented operator, with a history of driving revenue growth, cross-selling, and expanding client relationships.
- Previous executive leadership experience, preferably as a COO, Chief Sales/Growth Officer, or equivalent senior leadership role.
- Experience collaborating with private equity firms, with an understanding of PE-backed environments and board management.
Learn More
The Knowledge Leaders search process is thorough and may include: a written assessment, multiple interviews (recorded and in person), background and social media checks, employment and education verifications, a drug screen, and professional reference checking. After all, our mission is to transform education by recruiting the best world leaders.
Submit your resume to Heather Phillips at Knowledge Leaders.
