Completing a PhD while working full-time in top-tier consulting sounds impossible. Transitioning from advisory to a CFO role at a private equity-backed company seems equally daunting. Dr. Raphael Ruess did both, and his journey reveals what happens when ambition meets discipline, curiosity meets execution, and consulting expertise meets operational leadership.
In this conversation, Raphael, CFO at a private equity-backed portfolio company and former AlixPartners consultant, shares the real story behind his unconventional career path.
From navigating high-pressure M&A consulting while completing a PhD to making the leap some consultants dream of (moving from recommending strategies to owning the outcome as a CFO) this episode of Business Unbound decodes what it truly takes to transition from consulting to industry and create sustainable value in a PE-backed environment.
You’ll learn:
- How to complete a PhD while working full-time through consistency, strategic time management, and reaching a “point of no return”
- Why transitioning from consultant to operator requires unlearning consulting instincts and prioritizing trust-building over quick wins
- The real consulting skills that transfer to operational roles: adaptability, stakeholder management, and willingness to roll up your sleeves
- How private equity creates value through buy-and-build strategies, digitization, and unlocking synergies across portfolio companies
- Why people skills matter more than technical expertise when becoming a CFO in an SME environment
Key discussion topics:
- Lifelong learning and why Raphael chose a PhD over certifications to maintain intellectual freedom
- AlixPartners’ diamond structure and how senior environments accelerate professional development
- The consulting toolkit: what transfers to operational roles and what needs to be unlearned
- How to position yourself for PE CFO roles: gain PMI experience, seek leadership opportunities, embrace tough situations
- Value creation in practice: digitizing processes, implementing CRM systems, prioritizing based on impact and time-to-value
- Leadership lessons: motivating operational teams by showing the bigger picture and aligning interests
- The Sunday evening test: how you feel about Monday reveals everything about your career path
Guest Background
Dr. Raphael Ruess is CFO at a private equity-backed portfolio company with a proven track record of driving value creation and operational transformation. Raphael began at EY in transaction advisory before moving to AlixPartners, working on high-stakes M&A engagements. While working full-time in consulting, he completed a PhD. He then transitioned to operational leadership as CFO, implementing strategic measures, digitizing operations, and driving EBITDA improvement.
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About Business Unbound
Every week, host Florian Haufe dives deep into conversations with visionary global leaders to bring you insights, inspiration, and the real stories behind success.
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