Chief Growth Officer

Job Locations

US-NJ-Somerset

HearingLife is part of the Demant Group, a global leader in hearing healthcare and technology with over 115 years of history. As one of the world's most innovative hearing health companies, Demant is dedicated to helping people rediscover hearing through solutions that enhance quality of life, break down barriers, and connect people to the world around them.
Headquartered in Denmark, Demant operates in more than 130 countries and offers a comprehensive portfolio of hearing aids, audiometric equipment, personal communication, and hearing care services. The organization has established Centers of Excellence (COE) for key functions, including business development, store design, and network optimization, fostering collaboration and driving best practices across its global teams.
As a proud member of this global organization, HearingLife leverages Demant's industry-leading expertise and COE resources to deliver exceptional care through a network of 600+ locations across the United States. Close collaboration with global partners in Denmark ensures alignment on strategy and access to cutting-edge innovations that enhance HearingLife's ability to fulfill its mission.
At HearingLife, we strive to fulfill Demant's mission of "Hearing is Our Passion" by expanding our reach and empowering more individuals to experience the life-changing benefits of better hearing.

The Chief Growth Officer (CGO) is a key executive role responsible for leading HearingLife's strategic expansion from 600 to 1,000+ locations. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the CGO will oversee all aspects of growth, including Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), integration, greenfield (de novo) expansions, and real estate optimization. This role will also drive collaboration with North American and global partners in manufacturing, diagnostics, M&A, store design, and network development. The CGO will manage a team of Vice Presidents and Directors, ensuring alignment and execution of growth strategies across multiple functions.
The CGO will collaborate closely with Finance on deal structure and execution, Sales and HR on integration strategies, and Operations to ensure seamless implementation of growth initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring proven experience in M&A and greenfield expansion within retail or healthcare environments and have a hands-on approach to working with local small business owners, such as HearingLife's selling providers. This role requires a leader who can navigate the nuanced interpersonal and operational aspects of community-based businesses, rather than someone solely focused on complex financial transactions.
This is a mission-critical role in advancing HearingLife's purpose of helping more people hear better by expanding our reach and impact.

Key Responsibilities:
Executive Leadership:
- Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to the overall strategic direction and decision-making of the organization.
- Collaborate closely with Demant's global teams in Denmark and leverage Centers of Excellence (COE) for key functions, such as business development, store design, and network optimization, to align strategies, share best practices, and drive innovation.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Vice Presidents and Directors across M&A, real estate, and network development functions.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation, empowering teams to achieve ambitious goals.
Growth Strategy and Execution:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive growth strategy to achieve the company's expansion goals.
- Lead the M&A process, focusing on small-to-medium-sized acquisitions, from deal sourcing and evaluation to due diligence, integration, and post-merger performance.
- Oversee greenfield expansions, ensuring site selection, design, and development align with business objectives and are completed within budget.
- Optimize the real estate portfolio by managing lease negotiations and leveraging analytics to ensure profitability and efficiency.
Integration and Collaboration:
- Lead post-acquisition integration for acquired clinics. Coordinate with Sales and HR to design and implement integration plans that ensure cultural alignment, operational continuity, and rapid revenue growth post-acquisition.
- Collaborate with Finance to structure deals and execute M&A transactions effectively.
- Work closely with selling providers to ensure a smooth transition and alignment with HearingLife's culture and operational standards.
- Build and maintain relationships with local business owners and community stakeholders to drive growth and loyalty.
Operational Excellence:
- Utilize professional real estate software (e.g., Jakala) to analyze market opportunities, identify trends, and support decision-making.
- Implement scalable systems and processes to support expansion efforts efficiently and effectively.
Vision and Mission Alignment:
- Articulate and drive alignment around a compelling vision for growth that energizes internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure growth strategies align with HearingLife's mission of helping more people hear better.
- Act as a key representative of HearingLife in external negotiations, partnerships, and strategic collaborations.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Post-acquisition revenue growth for M&A transactions.
- Greenfield buildout costs delivered within budget.
- Revenue ramp for greenfield locations compared to projections.

Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in M&A, greenfield expansions, integrations, and real estate leadership roles.
- Experience in retail or healthcare environments, with a strong understanding of working with local small business owners and community-based operations.
- Expertise in managing and developing senior-level teams, including Vice Presidents and Directors.
- Proven track record in lease negotiations and managing real estate portfolios in a multi-site business environment.
- Proficiency in professional real estate software (e.g., Jakala) and data analytics platforms.
- Experience working in a global matrix organization, preferably within healthcare or retail sectors.
Skills and Competencies:
- Strategic thinker with a proven ability to develop and execute complex growth strategies.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional leadership and team-building abilities, with a track record of managing cross-functional teams and senior executives.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- High level of business acumen, ethics, and professionalism.
Personal Attributes:
- Results-oriented with a focus on driving growth and delivering measurable outcomes.
- Adaptable and capable of navigating a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative mindset with a commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Visionary leader with the ability to inspire and align teams around shared goals and mission-driven growth.

Travel Requirements:
- Travel up to 50% of the time is required for this position to visit company locations, evaluate growth opportunities, and attend meetings with global partners.
- This is a Hybrid position (corporate office is in Somerset, NJ).

Internal candidates: The internal job posting will remain open until 5:00 PM on January 17. All interested internal applicants are encouraged to apply by this deadline.

We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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