Beacon Executive Leadership Program - Associate

Beacon Executive Leadership Program - Associate

Beacon Software is a permanent capital holding company which acquires and grows essential businesses. We are a profitable series B+ firm that combines great technologists, operators and M&A professionals to accelerate the scale of the ambition of the dozens of businesses we own and operate. We are supported by capital from tier-1 venture capital, crossover, and endowment investors as well as the founders of the leading technology companies from the past decade.

We are growing our team in Toronto, San Francisco, and New York. Apply below.

This is an exciting opportunity for emerging leaders to fast-track their careers in software operations. Beacon’s Executive Leadership Program is a full-time rotational leadership development program launching in 2026. We are recruiting talented MBA students and early-career professionals (3–6 years of experience) to join an inaugural cohort focused on developing the next generation of General Managers for Beacon’s portfolio companies. Participants will undergo intensive training at Beacon HQ and then take on meaningful operational leadership roles within a Beacon operating company. By combining broad exposure with deep, hands‑on responsibility, the program prepares Associates to step into GM-level roles as early as year three of their tenure.

The pilot cohort will be immersed in Beacon’s high‑integrity, entrepreneurial culture and will work closely with Beacon’s centralized team and portfolio company leaders. The program is designed to instill Beacon’s values, operational playbooks, and growth mindset in future leaders. As part of a small and highly selective first cohort, you will benefit from significant mentorship and will play a pivotal role in shaping this program for future participants.

Location :

You will begin the program with a residency at Beacon’s offices (Toronto or Washington, DC) and will then be placed at one of our portfolio companies (primarily in North America) for the embedded role. Willingness to relocate to the operating company’s location (if different) or travel as needed is expected.

Scope of Responsibility : Multi-Phase Leadership Development

This program offers a structured progression through two main phases :

Phase 1 – Beacon HQ Residency (6 months) :

You will join as an Associate in the portfolio operations and integration team working with GMs and Beacon’s central team across functions to learn how we operate our software businesses. In addition, you will receive intensive training at Beacon’s headquarters covering core playbooks in integration, pricing strategy, go-to-market (GTM), customer onboarding and retention, and product management. This phase builds foundational skills, knowledge of Beacon’s standards, and a strong internal network.

Phase 2 – Portfolio Company Embed (18–24 months) :

Placement in a Beacon operating company in a scoped operational leadership role (e.g. leading a key initiative or managing a specific function within the business). During this phase, Associates will take on real operating responsibilities—driving growth projects, improving processes, or leading teams—while receiving active mentorship from the company’s General Manager and Beacon’s senior operators. The role is designed to be high‑impact and learning‑rich, giving the Associate ownership of meaningful outcomes within the business.

Goal :

High-performing Associates will be on track to transition into General Manager roles at a Beacon company starting in year three. The ultimate aim of the program is to graduate Associates into full GM positions with the confidence, context, and leadership experience to run a vertical software business within the Beacon portfolio.

Qualifications

3–6 years of professional experience in operating roles such as BizOps Manager, Operations Manager, RevOps, Product Ops, Product Manager, FP&A analyst

Preferred :

MBA degree (or equivalent graduate degree) in progress or recently completed – or comparable experience in a rigorous leadership role.

Strong academic foundation and a track record of high performance.

Preferred :

Experience in software / SaaS companies or in small-to-medium business operations, with exposure to revenue growth and operational scaling challenges.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a natural ability to build relationships and collaborate across teams.

Demonstrated commercial acumen and problem‑solving skills — you can quickly analyze business challenges and drive data‑informed decisions.

High ownership mindset and self‑motivation, with the ability to take initiative in ambiguous environments and drive projects to completion.

Empathetic team player who can influence without authority and foster trust, both internally and with customers / partners.

Ideal Candidate

Ambitious emerging leader

who is excited by the opportunity to accelerate their path toward a General Manager role in the software industry.

Based in (or willing to relocate to) Toronto or Washington, DC, and open to travel within North America as required.

Eager to work across multiple business functions (product, sales, operations, etc.) to gain a “full-stack” understanding of running a company.

Values mission‑driven work and is genuinely customer‑centric in thinking and approach.

Fast learner with high EQ, able to absorb new domains quickly and adapt to different company environments.

Thrives with a high degree of autonomy and ownership – looking to step into significant responsibility with mentorship rather than micromanagement.

Collaborative and low‑ego, excited to be part of a tight‑knit cohort and broader Beacon community of operators.

MBA Graduate with Operating Experience :

A top MBA student or recent grad who had 3–5 years in product management, business operations, or a strategy / growth role at a tech company or startup, now seeking a fast track into general management.

Rising Startup / Product Leader :

A product lead, operations manager, or business ops analyst at a SaaS or SMB‑focused startup who has excelled in their niche and wants to broaden their scope and leadership responsibilities across an entire business.

Ex‑Consultant or Finance Professional Turned Operator :

A former management consultant, investment banking or private equity analyst who transitioned into an operating role and now wants to leverage their analytical skills in a hands‑on leadership program to ultimately run a business.

Entrepreneurial Self‑Starter :

An ex‑founder or early employee of a small business or startup who wore multiple hats and is eager to further develop their operator instincts in a structured program with mentorship, aiming to lead a larger organization in the near future.

What You Will Get From Beacon

Unparalleled Network & Learning :

Access to and mentorship from Beacon’s world‑class network of investors and entrepreneurs. You will network with leading public and private equity investors who are Beacon LPs and learn directly from founders and executives who have scaled companies from startup to IPO.

Beacon Speaker Series :

Attend exclusive fireside chats with legendary venture capitalists, private equity leaders, and industry visionaries. These sessions offer insights into high‑level strategy, leadership, and market trends, enriching your perspective beyond day‑to‑day work.

Hands‑On Deal and Strategy Exposure :

Work closely with Beacon’s central product and engineering teams on special projects. You may participate in diligence exercises for potential acquisitions or strategic initiatives, gaining experience in evaluating technology‑driven growth opportunities.

Fast‑Paced Growth Environment :

Operate in an environment that encourages initiative, innovation, and rapid professional development. As part of a pilot cohort, you’ll have a voice in shaping program elements and the freedom to take initiative in your projects.

Mentorship and Peer Community :

Benefit from a tight feedback loop with experienced GMs and senior leaders who will coach you through challenges. Join a trusted community of Beacon software operators, advisors, and fellow Associates / GMs to share learnings and support each other’s growth.

Skill and Leadership Development :

You will sharpen your analytical, interpersonal, and leadership skills through real‑world assignments and dedicated coaching. Expect to significantly develop your executive communication and presentation abilities by the end of the program.

Career Trajectory :

A clear pathway to an executive role – successful Associates will be strongly positioned to step into a General Manager position running a vertical software business within ~2–3 years, with the credibility of having proven themselves in multiple contexts.

Minimum Expectations

Master the Basics Quickly :

In the first 2–3 months, actively learn Beacon’s playbooks and culture. Build trust with the central Beacon team during the residency by demonstrating curiosity, humility, and strong work ethic.

Integrate and Add Value Early :

Within the first 90 days of your portfolio company placement, establish yourself as a dependable leader on the ground. Forge strong working relationships with your operating company’s team and identify quick wins or improvements in your area of responsibility.

Drive Impact in First 12 Months :

Within six months of starting the embedded role, take ownership of a significant project or function and deliver measurable improvements (e.g. boosting a key metric, streamlining a process, or launching a new initiative). Show that you can translate Beacon’s best practices into real results in your business.

Demonstrate Leadership Growth :

Throughout the program, consistently take initiative beyond your immediate tasks. Seek out greater responsibility, mentor junior team members, and act as a bridge between your portfolio company and Beacon. By the end of the 18–24 month embed, you should exhibit the judgment, confidence, and holistic business understanding indicative of a future General Manager.

Our Values at Beacon Software

Humility : We acknowledge that the path to getting to the right answer involves being wrong along the way. We have strong beliefs which are weakly held. We actively seek new ideas and believe we can learn from anyone at any time.

Honesty : We are truth seeking in our approach to business problems. Business is a repeat game and we believe that human relationships generate alpha. We understand that trust is earned over a lifetime and can be lost in an instant.

Hunger : We play to win. We hold ourselves to high standards and will not be outworked. We take pride in having a deep sense of responsibility to ourselves, each other, our partners, and our customers. We believe to whom much is given much is expected.

Horizon : We seek to build a generational software company. This will take decades. We manage our expectations and those of our partners to take advantage of the 8th wonder of the world - compounding growth.

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