Associate, Ventures

OMERS; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pension plan in Toronto is seeking a motivated Associate for their Ventures team. This role focuses on asset management and direct investing, supporting portfolio companies and conducting due diligence on new investment opportunities. Candidates should have 2-4 years of experience in asset management or venture capital, with strong analytical and communication skills. This position offers the chance to collaborate with diverse teams and make a meaningful impact on emerging businesses.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in asset management or venture capital.
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on financial performance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage existing portfolio assets and monitor financial performance.
• Prepare materials for board meetings and support strategic initiatives.
• Assist portfolio companies with operational improvements and growth.

Skills

Financial modeling

Quantitative analysis

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Job description

Choose a workplace that empowers your impact.

Join a global workplace where employees thrive. One that embraces diversity of thought, expertise and experience. A place where you can personalize your employee journey to be — and deliver — your best.

We are a purpose-driven, dynamic and sustainable pension plan. An industry leading global investor with teams in Toronto to London, New York, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and Europe. We embody the values of our 600,000+ members, placing their best interests at the heart of everything we do.

Join us to accelerate your growth & development, prioritize wellness, build connections, and support the communities where we live and work.

Don’t just work anywhere — come build tomorrow together with us.

Know someone at OMERS or Oxford Properties? Great! If you're referred, have them submit your name through Workday first. Then, watch for a unique link in your email to apply.

OMERS Ventures is an early-stage tech investor helping our founders succeed so their businesses profit and in turn, help real people prosper. Today’s founders know that tomorrow’s customers care about how businesses are funded. Where their money comes from matters. And as the venture arm of one Canada’s largest pension plans (and the only pension plan in the world that does direct early-stage investing), when we invest money, we also infuse meaning. It’s a pretty unique position to be in, in the world of venture investing.

Our investment team is a mix of finance professionals and operators from various industries that bring diverse perspectives as we evaluate investment opportunities and enable us to be of greater service to the companies we back. We care more about the grit, raw skills, and attitude you bring to the table than your relevant work experience.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Associate for our Ventures team that will focus on asset management and direct investing in our Toronto office. This role will primarily focus on managing existing portfolio assets, providing value-added support to portfolio companies, and conducting due diligence for new investment opportunities.

Role Specific Accountabilities

• Asset Management of Existing Portfolio: Take a hands‑on role in managing and supporting existing portfolio companies by monitoring financial performance, tracking KPIs, and ensuring accurate, up-to-date reporting of the OMERS Private Capital portfolio. Regularly update and track the performance of portfolio companies to ensure OMERS has a clear and accurate view of each company's financial health and performance.
• Board Meeting Preparation: Support senior team members in preparing materials for board meetings, including collecting and organizing key data points on portfolio companies’ performance, strategic initiatives, and key risks, and coming up with key questions and suggestions to share with management.
• Portfolio Company Support: Assist portfolio companies in their growth initiatives, including follow‑on equity rounds, debt financing, and capital raises. Provide operational and strategic support to help companies achieve their business objectives. Collaborate with senior leadership teams of portfolio companies to provide strategic guidance, identify operational improvements, and ensure companies are on track to meet their growth objectives.
• Liaison with Internal and External Stakeholders: Maintain close communication with senior investment professionals, portfolio company management teams, and other key stakeholders to support the ongoing asset management process.
• Source and Diligence New Investment Opportunities: Actively source and evaluate high‑potential startups in Canada through market research, direct outreach, and industry relationships with founders, accelerators, and other venture capital firms. Conduct meetings with startups to evaluate business models, growth strategies, and potential for scalability. Lead and contribute to the due diligence process, assessing both quantitative and qualitative factors, including market opportunity, competitive landscape, financials, team dynamics, and product viability. Work closely with the investment team to create detailed investment memos and recommendations for potential investments.

Qualifications

• Experience: 2-4 years of experience in asset management, investment banking, advising, venture capital/growth equity, or strategy consulting with a focus on managing existing investments or portfolio companies.
• Analytical Skills: Strong financial modeling, quantitative analysis, and valuation skills. Demonstrated experience working with financial statements, metrics & KPIs, and investment analysis. Strong problem‑solving skills and first principle thinking.
• Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proficiency in creating presentation decks and internal reporting materials. While you will not be presenting directly to external parties or the investment committee, your ability to craft clear and impactful presentations for internal audiences is key. A sense of teamwork and belief that the sum can be greater than the parts.
• Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail, with a demonstrated ability to ensure accuracy in data collection, reporting, and performance tracking.
• Multitasking & Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, handling a variety of tasks and deadlines effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to work effectively with internal teams and external portfolio company management teams, fostering collaborative relationships.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in an evolving, dynamic environment and adapting to changing business priorities.

As one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, our people‑first culture is at its best when our workforce reflects the communities where we live and work — and the members we proudly serve.

From hire to retire, we are an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment and selection process that extends all the way through your employee experience. This sense of belonging and connection is cultivated up, down and across our global organization thanks to our vast network of Employee Resource Groups with executive leader sponsorship, our Purpose@Work committee and employee recognition programs.