Posts by hireneXus
What Private Equity Firms Need from Controllers
Amy Searles — Senior Partner at hireneXus — breaks down the evolution of the Controller role. No longer just back-office financial stewards, today’s Controllers are expected to influence cross-functional teams, mentor talent, and operate as mini-CFOs. The bar is higher, and the talent pool is shrinking.
Read MoreInterim vs. Permanent Leadership for PE-Backed Companies
The selection of executive leadership for a private equity (PE) portfolio company isn’t a linear decision — especially when evaluating the merits of interim versus permanent placements. Both options can unlock value, stabilize performance, and drive transformation. But each carries a different cost structure, impact horizon, and risk profile. This decision isn’t about hiring fast…
Read MoreRecruiting Finance and Accounting Leaders for Private Equity Firms
Amy Searles — Senior Partner at hireneXus — explains why modern finance leaders need to break out of the back-office mindset. Today’s top talent excels at cross-functional collaboration, operational partnership, and knowing when to get into the details versus when to step back and lead strategically.
Read MoreFinance and Accounting Leadership for Private Equity Portfolio Companies
Amy Searles — Senior Partner at hireneXus Private equity (PE) portfolio companies operate in an environment unlike any other. The pace is fast, the expectations are high, and the margin for error is slim. Leadership in finance and accounting plays an outsized role in determining whether a portfolio company delivers on its value creation plan…
Read MoreHiring HR Leaders for Growth-Focused Companies
Nate Skow — Senior Partner at hireneXus — explains why growth-focused companies should hire for where they’re going, not where they are today. Leaders with experience scaling businesses can handle future complexities and prevent costly rehires down the line. When in doubt, over-hire — and set your organization up for long-term success.
Read MoreBridging Strategy and Execution: Recruiting Business Athletes in Private Equity PortCos
Bud Harrison — Senior Partner at hireneXus In 2024, private equity (PE) experienced a significant transformation. After two years of decline, global PE dealmaking rebounded by 14%, reaching $2 trillion and marking the third-most-active year on record. This resurgence was driven by a more favorable financing environment, with the cost of financing buyouts declining, and…
Read MoreHR Leaders Must Embrace a Seat at the Executive Table
Nate Skow — Senior Partner at hireneXus — breaks down the current shift from a candidate-driven to a company-driven market. With more hiring options and less pressure on salary ranges, companies are regaining control. And for candidates, the key to staying competitive lies in showing up, leaning in, and securing a seat at the table.
Read MoreGrowing Private Equity Portfolios Through Strategic HR Leadership
Nate Skow — Senior Partner at hireneXus HR was once perceived primarily as a function centered on recruitment, compliance, and benefits management. But in the past decade, HR has evolved into a strategic cornerstone of organizational success. Today’s HR executives are still responsible for leading overall people management, but they’ve also become key dri vers of…
Read MoreThe Rise of Operational Value Creation in Private Equity
Traditional financial engineering is no longer enough to generate competitive returns in private equity (PE). So what is? Enter operational value creation: improving portfolio company operations to achieve sustainable growth. This shift reflects a deeper integration of operational insights into PE strategy and a broader focus on strengthening the core of portfolio companies. PE firms…
Read MoreWomen in Private Equity: Resources
In recent years, private equity (PE) has made progress in diversifying its entry-level workforce, with women occupying 48% of these positions by the end of 2022. But the story is different at senior levels, where the gender gap remains significant. Per McKinsey, it could take up to 60 years to achieve gender parity at the…
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