A prestigious Venture Capital fund with a solid reputation in the field of innovative investments is looking to hire an
Investment Manager - Venture Capital
This role presents an exceptional opportunity for professionals with extensive experience in the sector, eager to actively contribute to the growth and development strategies of a dynamic and cutting-edge organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Research and Management of Investment Opportunities
- Identification, analysis, and management of investment and divestment opportunities, with a particular focus on estimating returns and mitigating risks.
- Identifying high-growth potential startups through rigorous research. Assessing key growth signals and analyzing scalability in detail.
- Evaluation of business plans and financial models, ensuring accuracy and sustainability in projections and assumptions.
- Critical review of disruptive technologies, intellectual property, international standing of technical/scientific teams, and scalable platforms with multiple market opportunities.
- Proven ability to identify startups with long-term growth potential and to assess technologies from a technical, financial, and market perspective.
- Due Diligence and Financial Analysis
- Overseeing all due diligence processes, including both economic and financial assessments. Preparing comprehensive documentation to support decisions made by the Investment Committee and the Board of Directors.
- Engaging in detailed due diligence of target companies, evaluating their business models, financials, and technological platforms to ensure they meet the investment criteria.
- Managing the structuring of financing rounds, handling negotiations, and ensuring that terms align with the strategic goals of the fund.
- Assessing the risks, value drivers, and scalability of potential investments, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
- Familiarity with Term Sheets, including critical clauses such as Tag Along, Drag Along, Liquidation Preference, Anti-Dilution, Sconto, and Vesting. Understanding how these clauses affect both investors and founders is crucial in negotiations.
- Ability to structure and negotiate financing agreements effectively, protecting the interests of both the fund and the startups in question.
- Negotiations and Contracts
- Managing preliminary negotiations and defining acquisition or divestment contracts, in collaboration with the General Management and legal consultants.
- Structuring and negotiating Term Sheets and agreements, with a focus on aligning the expectations of both investors and founders.
- Understanding the strategic importance of contractual terms and conditions to maximize investment return and mitigate risk.
- Monitoring Investments
- Regularly monitoring the performance of portfolio companies, identifying areas for improvement, and working with startups to ensure they meet their targets and KPIs.
- Collaborating with the portfolio companies to ensure strategic alignment, helping them address issues such as underperformance or missed expectations.
- Ensuring proactive involvement in portfolio companies, especially when they are underperforming, and deploying corrective actions where necessary.
- Regularly updating the General Management and the Board of Directors on the performance of investments and providing recommendations for future actions.
- Divestment Strategy
- Defining and implementing strategies for the divestment of existing investments, including managing exit strategies such as strategic sales, IPOs, or secondary market sales.
- Identifying the right timing for an exit based on market conditions, company performance, and long-term growth projections.
- Sharing insights from successful exits and providing guidance on managing the selling process to maximize return on investment.
- Team Management and Leadership
- Leading and managing a team of investment professionals and providing strategic direction and mentorship to junior team members.
- Reporting directly to the Investment Committee and other senior management, contributing to strategic decision-making processes and identifying new business opportunities.
Requirements
- Extensive experience in the Venture Capital sector, with a proven track record in the evaluation and investment in high-growth startups.
- Strong financial analysis and risk assessment skills, with experience in due diligence processes, evaluating business plans, financial models, and growth potential.
- Proven negotiation skills and experience structuring complex financial deals, including experience with Term Sheets and acquisition/divestment contracts.
- Ability to work closely with entrepreneurs and key stakeholders within portfolio companies to drive growth, maximize returns, and ensure alignment of strategic goals.
- Experience in working with startups, providing value-added support beyond the financial investment, including assisting with strategy, scaling, and exit planning.
- Degree in Economics, Finance, or related fields; additional qualifications (e.g., MBA, CFA) will be considered a plus.
- Fluent in English (C1), both spoken and written (essential requirement).
- Leadership experience and the ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with multiple teams and departments.
- For this position, we are selecting a manager resident in Puglia or who can freely consider relocation to Bari.
What We Offer
- A strategic role with visibility and influence in the decision-making processes of a leading organization in the Venture Capital space.
- A stimulating work environment focused on innovation and growth, offering unique opportunities to impact the trajectory of startups.
- Managerial level position with an attractive salary package.
- Opportunity to further develop your strategic skills in a constantly evolving, high-growth sector.
- Supportive and collaborative team culture, with opportunities for career progression.
If you are passionate about Venture Capital, possess strong leadership skills, and have a deep understanding of the investment process, we encourage you to apply. This is an exceptional opportunity for professionals eager to make a tangible difference in the startup ecosystem.