Written by Jamie Duffield
In the world of private equity, time is money — and execution is everything. With margin pressures intensifying and growth harder to come by, CEOs of PE-backed companies face relentless pressure to deliver value, fast. Strategy cannot sit in slide decks; it must translate into measurable results, quarter after quarter.
That’s where a high-performing Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) becomes indispensable. More than a strategist, the CSO is a driver of transformation, ensuring that priorities are clear, synergies are unlocked, and growth initiatives gain traction at pace. Whether leading M&A, steering commercial acceleration, or orchestrating change across federated business units, this leader aligns execution with ambition.
To move the needle, and move it fast, the CSO must bring five critical competencies to the table:
- Strategic influence
- Compelling communication
- Commanding executive presence
- Results-driven change agency
- Agile mindset
When these attributes align, the CSO becomes a catalyst for EBITDA growth, operational leverage, and enterprise value creation — a true force multiplier for the CEO and investors alike.
1) Strategic influence
Strategic direction starts with the CEO and is sharpened through the lens of the CFO. But in a high-performance, PE-backed environment, a top-tier CSO is not just along for the ride — they’re a critical architect, partnering shoulder-to-shoulder with the CEO and CFO to shape a strategy that’s aggressive, actionable, and growth-focused.
The role demands thought leadership and a relentless focus on the top three strategic priorities, guiding the leadership team with clarity and conviction.Chief Strategy Officer, leading U.S. Technology firm
2) Compelling communication
Strategy doesn’t stick without alignment. The first step is crystallising a razor-sharp vision, setting clear priorities, and securing Board buy-in. From there, execution begins — and it is dependent on powerful and influential communication. The strategy must be clearly conveyed across the organisation, with every business unit understanding how their work fuels enterprise value.
The CSO is pivotal here, partnering with functional heads and business leaders to disseminate strategic ownership and embed lasting change. Without a clearly defined North Star and concise, compelling communication, alignment breaks – and so does execution.
The real work lies in translating strategy from the top down, ensuring that every team not only understands it, but owns it. The message must permeate through all activities and business initiatives.Vice President of Strategy, specialty Pharma firm
3) Commanding executive presence
To drive strategy, the CSO must have a seat at the table and the authority to move the agenda forward. Strategy lives and breathes at the executive level, and without peer standing among C-suite leaders, the CSO’s ability to influence outcomes is capped.
In businesses undergoing rapid transformation across multiple units, the CSO often becomes the connective tissue aligning General Managers, unlocking operational synergies, and rallying leadership around a unified direction. It’s why many top-performing CSOs hail from elite strategy consulting firms, stepping in with the gravitas of former Principals and Partners — ready to navigate complexity, manage change, and drive real results.
4) Results-driven change agency
CSOs don’t just shape the vision; they build the roadmap, define KPIs, and drive the plan. Whether leading the charge on commercial growth, cost transformation, or integration, they bring a disciplined, metrics-driven approach to execution.
In the PE-backed context, pressure intensifies. The demand for speed, accountability, and proof of progress is relentless. Here, the CSO must thrive under pressure, navigate demanding stakeholders, and operate with urgency and precision to generate real results.
5) Agile mindset
ESG has evolved from a secondary concern to a core pillar of corporate strategy, now a key focus in annual reports and investment materials. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and non-compliance risks grow, the CSO is often at the helm, driving organisational change and integrating sustainable practices throughout the business.
At the same time, the rise of generative AI and technologies like ChatGPT is reshaping industries, requiring the strategic foresight and adaptation to stay ahead.
These types of disruptive technology have the potential to cause structural changes in the industry and will affect businesses both internally and externally.Chief Strategy Officer, global FinTech firm
Amidst this uncertainty, the ability to navigate complex, sensitive issues and make strategic bets is critical — underscoring the role’s importance in making swift adjustments and guiding companies through transformative changes.
Far from being theoretical, the Chief Strategy Officer is a function rooted in action, where driving outcomes matter just as much as crafting vision. For PE CEOs, a CSO with real executive clout is essential to galvanise the business units, break silos, and drive cross-functional alignment at pace.
Ready to find a Chief Strategy Officer whose vision will drive value?
Let's talk about what great looks like.
Contact Jamie Duffield, Principal in Acertitude's
Professional & Business Services Practice.
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