Closing the gap between strategy and execution
Our Strategy Execution Officer (SXO) program embeds high-caliber professionals directly into portfolio companies to drive strategic initiatives forward and accelerating growth. Rotunda is developing the next generation of C-suite leaders through challenging assignments and direct P&L accountability.
Your vision is clear. Execution is where growth stalls.
For years, we’ve observed a consistent challenge: management teams stretched too thin to execute on ambitious growth plans.
The SXO program addresses this directly. We place experienced, data-driven professionals inside your company who can hit the ground running, lead your most critical initiatives, and surface opportunities you may never have had the bandwidth to pursue.
SXOs step in as strategic doers — not advisors. They report directly to the CEO and help drive your highest-priority initiatives with full accountability.
SXOs become employees of your company, not outside consultants who rotate out. They’re focused on tactical execution, complementing your leadership team rather than pulling them away from running the business.
From post-merger integration to IT transformation to piloting new business strategies, SXOs are trained in areas that most growing businesses have never had the dedicated resources to tackle.
SXOs bring cross-functional experience to help surface growth opportunities and operational improvements and put them in action.
A program built to create measurable value across the portfolio.
There is no off-the-shelf SXO. The role is shaped around the most pressing priorities of each portfolio company where SXOs are employees of the portfolio company—not consultants who rotate out. They report directly to the CEO and participate in board-level conversations, seeking to add value where it matters most.
“The SXO role gave me real ownership inside the business from day one. I was part of the leadership team, focused on the highest-priority initiatives that would drive measurable results. Because the role is embedded within the company, you are accountable for outcomes, not recommendations. Reporting directly to the CEO and engaging with the board ensured that the work stayed aligned with the company’s strategic goals.
I started as an SXO, was promoted to Vice President of M&A at the portfolio company, and later joined the Rotunda staff as an Operating Vice President, bringing the perspective of someone who has operated inside the model.”
“My time in the SXO program was pivotal in shaping how I think about culture and leadership. Working closely with a third-generation family founder gave me a deep, firsthand view into how trust, continuity, and a genuine investment in people sustain an organization over time. That experience reinforced the importance of listening, empowering teams, and building a strong, values-driven culture—principles that have been foundational in my role as CEO of U.S. Waterproofing.”
“Across my time at Canter, I’ve served as Chief of Staff, owned our service growth strategy, and led post-merger integration and value creation across a multi-brand platform. What sets the SXO program apart is the dual vantage point: you learn how to operate a business from the inside while developing a real understanding of how private equity creates value. That combination has fundamentally shaped how I think about growing a business, both organically and through acquisition—and there is no better preparation for a C-Suite role.”
Statements are not those of any Rotunda client fund or investor. Portfolio company executives may hold equity interests in their respective portfolio companies and/or receive compensation that is tied to the performance of the company and/or a Rotunda fund, which could incentivize them to provide favorable statements.
An accelerated path to the C-suite—starting right now.
The SXO role gives high-potential professionals the opportunity to take on executive responsibilities years ahead of a traditional career timeline. You’ll operate at the top of the business from day one — with the support, mentorship, and network of the Rotunda team behind you.
Embed directly into a portfolio company with defined initiatives, real accountability, and the full backing of the Rotunda team.
Gain hands-on operating experience across functions while being mentored by experienced investors and operators.
The hands-on experience, mentorship, and cross-functional exposure built through the program prepares SXOs well for what comes next. Past participants have gone on to senior operating and leadership roles within our portfolio and beyond.
- Executive presence and C-suite communication
- Cross-functional project leadership
- Post-merger integration expertise
- Board-level reporting and governance
- Data-driven decision-making at scale
- Mentorship from the Rotunda partners and value creation team
- SXO cohort peer network across the portfolio
- Annual C-Suite Summit participation
- Rotunda’s annual investor meeting
- Resources and training from the value creation team
We look for operators, not observers.
Successful SXOs are self-starters who are comfortable with ambiguity and built to drive change. They know how to think through a problem and get things done, and can build trust with people at every level of an organization.
Key traits we look for
Common Backgrounds
Whether you’re growing a business or growing your career, let’s talk.
Reach out to learn more about embedding an SXO in your portfolio company or to explore joining the program as a candidate.