Principal - Ventures (Portfolio)

Blackfinch Group; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment specialist is seeking a senior leader to oversee a portfolio of high-growth companies. This role involves driving value post-investment, working closely with founders, and leading strategic and operational initiatives to ensure lasting success and growth.

Qualifications

• Strong track record in venture capital, growth equity or operational leadership roles.
• Experience supporting founders in growth, fundraising, and strategic pivots.
• Familiarity with board governance and venture economics.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse portfolio of venture-backed companies with performance focus.
• Partner with founders on exit strategies and fundraising processes.
• Mentor junior team members and enhance the portfolio support function.

Skills

Commercial judgment

Communication skills

Operational judgment

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in business, finance, science, engineering, or technology

ACA, CFA, MBA (additional qualifications)

Job description

Blackfinch Group is an award-winning investment specialist. Built on over 20 years of investment track record, the name Blackfinch first came into being on the anniversary of Darwin’s birth, 12th February 2013. A trusted provider, we work in partnership with advisers. Our businesses cover tax-efficient solutions, early stage investing, managed portfolio services, property financing and renewable energy. We’re proud to be entrusted with over £850 million in assets under management.

Role Profile

This is a senior leadership role focused on maximising outcomes across a portfolio of high-growth, early stage companies. Rather than sourcing new deals, your primary responsibility will be to drive value post-investment—working closely with founders, boards, and internal teams to unlock operational scale, shape long-term strategy, and guide companies through growth, capital raises, and ultimately exits.

You will be a key member of the Ventures team, bringing strategic insight and operational rigour to portfolio management. This role offers the opportunity to shape how we accelerate companies towards meaningful, durable success.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Leadership

• Provide oversight and manage a diverse portfolio of venture-backed companies, with a focus on performance, resilience, and long-term value creation.
• Act as a strategic advisor to founders and executive teams, applying commercial judgment to navigate key inflection points.
• Operational & Strategic Execution
• Actively problem-solve with founders to drive improvements, remove execution roadblocks and implement scalable processes.

Growth & Exit Preparation

• Partner with founders on exit strategy, M&A discussions, and readiness for trade sale.

Fundraising & Capital Strategy

• Lead or support follow-on fundraising processes including investment case preparation, valuation, negotiation, and execution.
• Help shape scenario modelling to support board-level decisions.

Board Engagement

• Serve as a board observer, building strong relationships with founders, NEDs, and co-investors.
• Provide internal reporting and insight into portfolio health and performance trends.

Internal Leadership

• Play a senior role in shaping the evolution of our portfolio support function—improving tooling, frameworks, and operating models.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to the overall capability of the Ventures team.

Essential Experience

• Strong track record in venture capital, growth equity, or in operational leadership roles at high-growth start-ups or scale-ups.
• Demonstrated experience supporting founders and executive teams across growth, fundraising, and strategic pivots.
• Familiarity with board governance, venture economics, and exit pathways (M&A, secondary sales, trade exits).
• Excellent commercial and operational judgment, with the ability to balance founder empathy with execution urgency.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills—able to influence, challenge, and support founders and stakeholders effectively.

Desirable Background

• Experience as a founder, COO, CFO, or strategic operator in a venture-backed business.
• Exposure to UK venture ecosystems and understanding of investor dynamics at Seed through Series B+ stages.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified (2:1 or above or equivalent experience) in business, finance, science, engineering, or technology.
• Additional qualifications (e.g., ACA, CFA, MBA) welcome but not essential.

Why Join Us?

This is a senior, hands-on role in a fast-moving environment where you can have a tangible impact on high-potential companies. You’ll join a supportive and experienced team with a clear focus: to help founders execute, grow, and raise capital more effectively.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.

Blackfinch is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences. A copy of our Equal Opportunities Policy is available upon request.