DEPUTY CEO

ELI Play is a Dutch company that designs and manufactures custom trampoline parks, indoor playgrounds and ninja courses in its state-of-the-art workshops in Boxtel . It creates attractive and sustainable play areas by combining creativity, safety and compliance with European standards.

The company supports its customer in all types of facilities : leisure parks, indoor centers, shops or public institutions by placing the user experience at the heart of its projects.

ELI Play is part of the French ABEO Group , one of the global leaders in sports and leisure equipment, which unites its employees together around shared values: trust, perseverance, and team spirit.

The role

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Deputy CEO acts as a true business partner with the Management Team, supporting the overall leadership, operational execution, and growth of the company.

The role requires translating strategy into concrete actions, priorities, and results, while remaining closely connected to the organization and its people.

Key responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Support

• Act as the CEO’s right hand and active member of the Management Team

• Contribute to company strategy, priorities, and key decision-making

• Translate strategic objectives into practical operational plans and KPIs

• Step in for the CEO when required, internally and externally

Operational Leadership

• Oversee daily operations across key functions such as HR development, Operations, IT/ERP, Legal, and CSR

• Identify inefficiencies and implement pragmatic, hands-on improvements

• Ensure processes are scalable, compliant, and fit for a growing SME

• Personally lead or support critical projects and transformation initiatives

Financial & Business Performance

• Monitor financial performance (budget, cash flow, margins) in close collaboration with Finance

• Support pricing, cost control, and profitability initiatives

• Prepare and review management reports and business dashboards

People & Organization

• Support people management in a flat, entrepreneurial structure

• Coach and challenge managers, stepping in directly when needed

• Contribute to hiring key roles and strengthening leadership capabilities

• Promote a culture of accountability, ownership, and collaboration

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with shareholders, external partners, advisors, and key clients when relevant

• Ensure compliance with Dutch legal, financial, and governance requirements

Your profile

• 8–12 years of experience in an SME or scale-up environment

• Proven background in operations, general management, consulting, or finance

• Strong hands-on mindset: comfortable doing as well as leading

• Experience working in or with Dutch organizations (local market understanding required)

• Fluent in English (Dutch required for the role)

Key competencies

• Strong execution and problem-solving skills

• Pragmatic, resilient, and action-oriented

• Able to operate at both strategic and operational levels

• High business acumen and solid financial literacy

• Natural leadership style suited to small, agile organizations

Practical aspects

• This role requires a strong on-site presence in the Eindhoven region

• A competitive SME-level compensation package is offered, including a fixed salary and a bonus component

ABOUT ABEO

ABEO is one of the global leaders in sports and leisure equipment. A French publicly traded company, it brings together and develops more than 30 companies across 13 countries. ABEO employs 1,700 people, including 460 in France.

The Group’s activities include the design, manufacturing, and distribution of equipment for all types of infrastructures, including schools, sports halls, leisure parks, swimming pools… ABEO’s companies are divided into three divisions: 🤸🏀 Sport ; 👾🧗 Sportainment & Climbing ; 🏊🏫 Changing Rooms .

Are you ready to join the adventure, work in a dynamic environment, take on daily challenges, and grow within an international group? It’s up to you!

🪅 To find more about ELI Play, visit the company's website .

🦎 Discovers ABEO and its companies on the Group's website.