Compensation for operating partners / how to secure these roles?

So hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, just thought I could use insight from folks in the industry.

My dad is currently a c suite operations exec for a mid sized public company, and previously was COO in PE for a few years. He has had a long and very operationally involved career starting at a large public where he worked up to EVP/President with substantial P&L ownership ($5bn+ group). 

He is planning on 3-5 years more of full time/public company work, but he is the type of guy who needs to work. Headhunters approach him by email/LinkedIn regularly (but seems to be mostly for full time roles).

I was wondering what the process is like to get on high quality relevant private/public boards, or to work towards being an operating partner for a PE fund. It feels like the right profile/caliber of professional for a fund given PE backed C suite and PubCo C suite experience at this point. Is it mostly just word of mouth and referrals? Thank you.

Also was curious to see what operating partner compensation looked like? Is it standard for them to get carry/ownership like an investment partner? What about cash?

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At my fund, they get paid ~$300k cash comp + they get cash comp for any board roles they have with our portfolio companies ($150-200k per company, usually will have 1-2 at a time) and MEIP with those respective companies (along with opportunity to coinvest). Also have the opportunity to invest in our flagship fund through an executive fund vehicle.

 

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