Spire Search Partners reveals talent market highlights in the PE sector for 3Q 2025.

Key Trends

The past quarter has seen private equity face challenges with extended hold periods and in retaining AI-fluent, operationally focused leaders who are crucial for driving value creation. This dual pressure is forcing firms to urgently redefine their talent and incentive strategies.

PE’s Extended Hold Risk

Driven by stalled exits and market liquidity constraints, extended holding periods have reached an average of 6.4 years in 2025, creating a significant retention challenge in PE. Standard 4-to-5-year executive equity vesting expires well before the eventual sale, leaving firms vulnerable to C-suite turnover just when long-term operational value is most needed. PE investors must now redesign incentive plans to align key talent with the full, extended life cycle of the investment.

PortCo Talent Supply Remains Tight

The demand for C-suite and VP talent within PortCos remains competitive due to a supply shortage and high-stakes deals. This tight talent market is putting continuous pressure on firms, resulting in sharply elevated compensation for the proven leaders needed to drive and steer value creation across all sectors.

The AI-Driven C-Suite

We see PE firms aggressively recruiting C-suite and senior leaders with proven experience leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics for margin growth and operational efficiency. This talent is crucial, as firms view successful AI integration in PortCos as a key driver of competitive advantage and premium exit valuations.

The Operating Partners Evolution

The Operating Partner role is changing from mostly advisory to a more integrated one throughout the investment lifecycle. This shift requires candidates with financial acumen to deliver an “exit-ready” company, even as hold periods lengthen. This is why we focus on identifying Operating Partners with deep, niche-functional expertise who can execute strategies directly within PortCos.

Top Posts

  • Private equity firms are increasingly relying on the Chief Transformation Officer (CTrO) for a competitive edge. CTrO-led transformations are 2.4 times more likely to meet targets, serving as a crucial link between strategy and execution. This role is key for shaping future COOs and CEOs, and we aim to identify transformation agents with P&L credibility and private equity expertise to drive long-term value.
  • Many private equity firms are now using interim executives to address leadership gaps and drive transformations. This approach allows for immediate support, fresh perspectives, and the ability to assess long-term fit before making permanent hires. The demand for interim leaders has risen significantly since 2020, highlighting their potential for fostering lasting change.
  • We’re incredibly honored to be recognized as one of America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms by Hunt Scanlon Media in their Select Guide. We remain committed to providing talent solutions that exceed expectations and are proud of our team’s success. Congratulations to all featured in this valuable resource for HR leaders! If you’re looking for a partner to help find your next key leader, contact us.

PE HR/TA Roundtable: Key Takeaways on AI and Human Capital

We recently hosted an executive roundtable with key PE HR/TA leaders, where we discussed AI’s disruption of Human Capital. While firms are leveraging AI to streamline candidate sourcing and assessment, these efficiencies are prompting a significant re-evaluation of staffing models. The main challenge is that the demand for uniquely human skills – like critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and sound judgment – is accelerating, forcing companies and their search partners to prioritize these core competencies.

Career Milestones: Past Placement Anniversaries

We’re always thrilled to acknowledge the success of our network! Join us in celebrating a few impressive past placements and valued connections who hit major work anniversaries last quarter.

  • Ian Nyi, Director of Restructuring – 17 years @ ING
  • James Nolan, Managing Director, International Tax Counsel – 17 years @ Goldman Sachs
  • Janet Kwok, Director – 6 years @ Softbank Investment Advisers
  • Rudy Yang, Senior Analyst, Emerging Technologies – 3 years @ PitchBook

Notable Market Moves

CFO

  • Justin Plouffe will become the next Chief Financial Officer at The Carlyle Group (AUM 465b). He was previously the Deputy Chief Investment Officer for Global Credit.
  • Stone Point Credit (AUM 70b) hires Michael Rettagliata as Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer. He comes from Audax Private Debt where he was Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer.
  • Andrew Leitten was named Chief Financial Officer of Cerberus Capital Management (AUM 65b). He previously was Managing Director.
  • Audax Private Equity (AUM 44b) promotes Sergio Vieira to Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Private Equity Funds. He previously was Senior Vice President of Finance. Audax Private Equity is estimated to launch their next fund from fund series Audax Private Equity Funds in 2026 Q2.
  • Accel US (AUM 31.06b) promotes Jaspreet Singh to Chief Financial Officer. He previously was Vice President of Finance. Accel is estimated to launch their next fund from fund series Accel London in 2026 Q2.
  • Gryphon Investors (AUM 10b) appoints Jason Crichfield as Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer. He comes from Vista Equity Partners where he was Senior Vice President Global Controller.
  • Andrew Petri joins Pritzker Private Capital (AUM 10b) as Chief Financial Officer. He previously was the Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer of Pfingsten Partners.
  • Jonathan La joined MiddleGround Capital (AUM 4.2b) as Chief Financial Officer in February 2025. He previously was the Director of Finance at Monomoy Capital Partners.
  • Cendana Capital (AUM 2b) appoints Joshua Grimm as Chief Financial Officer. He previously was the controller at Andreessen Horowitz.
  • Zenyth Partners (AUM 1.5b) hired Liam O’Sullivan as Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer. He previously served as the Chief Financial Officer at Revelar Capital.
  • MAG Capital Partners (AUM 1.3b) hires David Lyon as Chief Financial Officer. He previously was the Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer of Phoenix Capital Partners. 
  • Advantage Capital (AUM 1b) promoted Franchesca Lorio to Chief Financial Officer & Managing Director in April 2025. She previously was Managing Director, Finance & Accounting.
  • Fulcrum Equity Partners (AUM 1b) hired Amy Geiger as Chief Financial Officer in July 2025. She previously was the Managing Director of leading Pathstone’s Personal CFO and Lifestyle Management teams.
  • Bianca Bonus joined Banner Capital (AUM 653mn) as Chief Financial Officer in early 2025. She comes from L Squared Capital Partners where she was the Vice President of Finance.
  • Megan Walker joins Garden City Equity (AUM 250mn) as Chief Financial Officer. She comes from Frontier Growth where he was the Vice President of Finance.

HR/Talent

  • Norwest (AUM 15.5b) hires Olivia Everhard as Director of Talent, Venture. She previously was the Director at SPMB Executive Search. 
  • KKR (AUM 664.3b) promoted Grace Koo to Managing Director, Global Head of Human Capital in Feb 2025.
  • KKR (AUM 664.3b) promoted Ellen Hoch to Head of Talent Acquisition in Feb 2025. KKR is estimated to launch their next fund from fund series KKR Global Impact Funds in 2027 Q1.
  • TSG Consumer Partners (AUM 13b) appoints Alex Montefalco as Head of Talent. She comes from LVMH where she was Vice President of Executive Recruitment & Talent Management.
  • Gauge Capital (AUM 3.4b) promotes Charlotte Bonfield to Managing Director & Head of Talent. She previously was Director of Talent.
  • Dorothy Sandberg joins Altaris (AUM 10b) as Vice President of Human Resources & Talent Development. She comes from BD where she was Sr. Director, Human Resources of R&D & Medical Affairs.
  • Transom Capital Group (AUM1.5b) promotes Lindsey O’Hern as Chief Talent Officer. She previously was the Vice President of Talent & Culture.
  • M33 Growth (AUM 440mn) appoints Lauren Slutsky as Head of Talent, Growth Equity. She previously was the Vice President of People & Operations at Backflip.

IR/BD

  • Will Martin joins Peachtree Group (AUM 8b) as Vice President of Investor Relations, Equity Capital Markets. He comes from Croatan Investments where he was Senior Associate, Portfolio Management.
  • BGH Capital (AUM 6.8b) hires Kirk Syme as Partner & Head of Investor Relations. He previously was the Partner at Brooklands Capital Strategies. 
  • ITE Management (AUM 6b) promotes Danielle Hootnick to Global Head of Capital Formation & Investor Relations. She previously was a Senior Advisor.
  • Frazier Healthcare Partners (AUM 4b) promotes Carol Eckert to Senior Vice President of Investor Relations. He previously was Vice President of Investor Relations. Frazier Healthcare Partners is estimated to launch their next fund from fund series Frazier Healthcare Growth Buyout Funds in 2026 Q3.
  • Jake Flores joins Percheron Capital (AUM 4b) as Vice President of Business Development. He previously was the Vice President of Business Development at SNH Capital Partners. 
  • SkyKnight Capital (AUM 3.9bn) promotes Pierce Coticchia Managing Director, Business Development & Capital Markets. He previously was Principal, Head of Business Development & Capital Markets.
  • SIERRA Ventures (AUM 2b) appoints Noor Nijjer as Head of Investor Relations. She comes from Top Tier Capital Partners where she was the Vice President of Investor Relations.
  • ACME Capital (AUM 689.37mn)  hires Katera Mujadidi as Partner, Investor Relations. He comes from Grikitis Group where she was the Head of Investor Relations & Fundraising.

COO

  • Forum Ventures promotes Olivia O’Sullivan to Partner & Chief Operating Officer. She previously was a Partner.
  • ZINC Financial (AUM 100mn) promotes Sean Sanford to Chief Operating Officer. He previously was the Vice President of People.

Operating Partners and Execs

  • Nick Schubert joins as Managing Director at AURELIUS WaterRise (AUM EUR 3b). He comes from Platinum Equity where he was the Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations.
  • Joey Hardison joins AURELIUS (AUM EUR 3b) as Managing Director & Operating Partner. He previously was the Senior Vice President at Platinum Equity.
  • Francisco Partners (AUM 45b) promotes Snehal Desai to Managing Operating Partner. He previously was the Operating Partner.
  • Strategic Value Partners (AUM 22b) appoints Potter Luan as Operating Partner. He comes from Elliott Investment Management where he was Principal, Portfolio Operations Group.
  • Alpine Investors (AUM 18.7b) appoints Per-Erik Soler as Operating Executive, CFO in Training Program. He comes from Oakline Properties where he was the Vice President of Finance.
  • Nicolas Guzman joins Prospect Capital Management (AUM 10b) as Operating Director, Portfolio Optimization. He previously was an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company. 
  • Blue Torch Capital (AUM 8.3b) hires William Wiedman as Managing Director & Operating Partner. He comes from American Securities where he was the Director of Resources Group Strategy Team.
  • Jason LaDuke joined Stellex Capital Management (AUM 5b) as Managing Director & Head of Portfolio Operations in early 2025. He joins Stellex from Platinum Equity.
  • Pacific Avenue Capital Partners (AUM 3.8b) appoints Igor Coelho de Aze as Principal, Operating Partner. He previously was the Operating Advisor at Tenex Capital Management.
  • Taylor Cole joins Blue Wolf Capital Partners (AUM 3.4b) as Operating Partner. He previously served as the Chief Executive Officer at Canam Steel Corporation.
  • Bridgewest Group (AUM 3b) appoints Alexander Kimmet as Chief of Staff & Operating Partner. He comes from 37 Angels where he was an Investor.
  • Tritium Partners (AUM 1.7b) appoints Avra Golden Schaaf Operating Partner, Go-to-Market. He was Principal, Head of Value Creation at Lead Edge Capital. 
  • Garden City Equity (AUM 250mn) promotes Devan Krüger to Operating Partner. He previously was the Chief Financial Officer.

Valuations

  • Ryan Montoya joined Clearlake Capital Group (AUM 90b) as Vice President, Valuations in Jun 2025. He previously was the Director of Valuation at Vista Equity Partners.

BS – CROs

  • Sudipto De joins Invesco (AUM 2.12t) as Global Head of Equity Risk. He previously was the Head of Investment Risk of Principal Asset Management.
  • Wellington Management (AUM 1t) promotes Bill Schmitt as Director of Risk Strategy. He previously was an Associate Director of Risk Oversight, Fixed Income.
  • Apollo Global Management (AUM 840b) appoints Chris Grix as Principal of Enterprise Risk Management. He comes from HealthEquity where he was the Head of Enterprise Risk.
  • Howard Cheng joins Carrick Lane (AUM 2.4b) as Partner, Head of Risk. He previously was a Director of Marcro Risk at Balyasny Asset Management.

SS CROs 

  • SMBC Group promotes Sangjoon Kim to Head of Market Risk for the Americas. He previously was the Head of Market and Liquidity Risk for the Americas.

Recent Searches

  • Head of Finance, Management Co. @ $2.5b Private Markets Firm; adding senior finance leadership under a Managing Partner
  • SVP, Global Head of Credit Portfolio Management @ Major US Bank; building robust risk and CPM function to support scaling strategy
  • VP/Principal, Portfolio Initiatives @ $1b AUM mid-market PE; expanding team of generalists driving value creation strategy and initiatives
  • Principal, Portfolio Initiatives (GTM & Sales Ops) @ $1b AUM mid-market PE; expanding Value Creation team, adding specialists
  • Sr. Manager, Fund & Portfolio Management @ $2.5b AUM mid-market PE; adding leverage under past placement in Fund/Portfolio Management
  • Sr. Director, Regulatory Risk @ Major Global Crypto Exchange; expanding US risk/compliance framework
  • Head of Marketing Compliance @ Private Markets Consulting Firm; building out key compliance capabilities
  • US Head of Credit/LBO Research @ Pitchbook Data; team building leadership across credit, mid-market equity, and the PE Industry
  • US Head of Private Company Research @ Pitchbook Data; team building leadership across credit, mid-market equity, and the PE Industry