Senior Associate Director, Direct Investments & Fund Strategy

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; USD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Associate Director to lead direct investments in early-stage startups. This pivotal role involves managing investments, conducting due diligence, and developing fund strategies that align with the organization's vision. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in venture capital, showcasing their expertise in financial modeling and stakeholder engagement. Join a dynamic team dedicated to fostering innovation and growth in the startup ecosystem, where your insights will directly influence investment decisions and portfolio performance.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in venture capital and fund strategy.
• Strong understanding of VC fund structures and investment governance.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Manage direct investments in early-stage startups (Series A & B).
• Conduct financial modeling and due diligence for startup investments.
• Track portfolio performance and provide updates to leadership.

Skills

Venture Capital Investing

Financial Modeling

Due Diligence (IDD)

Portfolio Management

Risk Assessment

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics

Job description

Senior Associate Director, Direct Investments & Fund Strategy

We are seeking an Associate Director, Direct Investments & Fund Strategy, to play a hands-on role in managing direct investments in early-stage startups (Series A & B) and contributing to fund strategy development. While the Investment Office (IVO) will oversee pre-investment and periodic post-investment ODD, as well as managing all cash calls and distributions for the $50M VC fund in coordination with the Office of Finance (OFN), this role will focus on direct investment execution, co-investment opportunities, and fund performance tracking to align with the organization’s broader investment strategy.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in venture capital investing, fund structuring, co-investments, and portfolio management, with the ability to conduct investment due diligence (IDD) on direct investments and support fund strategy discussions.

• Direct Investment in Early-Stage Startups (Series A & B)
• Source, evaluate, and execute direct investments in high-growth startups aligned with the organization’s investment strategy.
• Conduct financial modeling, due diligence (IDD), and risk assessment for startup investments.
• Lead investment structuring, term sheet negotiations, and shareholder agreement reviews.
• Engage with startup founders, co-investors, and industry experts to support portfolio growth.
• Track portfolio company performance, monitoring key financial and operational KPIs.
• Support follow-on investments and exit strategies for direct investment portfolios.
• Fund Strategy & Oversight (In Coordination with IVO & OFN)
• Work with IVO and OFN to ensure investment alignment with the broader venture strategy.
• Provide insights on VC fund performance, co-investment opportunities, and fund allocation effectiveness.
• Monitor VC fund investment performance in collaboration with IVO, ensuring financial targets are met.
• Identify strategic co-investment opportunities from existing fund commitments, enhancing direct investment exposure.
• Assist in developing fund investment frameworks, investment theses, and sector strategies.
• Investment Due Diligence & Risk Management
• Conduct Investment Due Diligence (IDD) on direct startup investments to ensure sound financial and operational assessments.
• Work with IVO to understand Operational Due Diligence (ODD) findings for fund investments and ensure compliance with internal investment policies.
• Support risk assessment processes, ensuring investment decision-making aligns with financial governance standards.
• Assess exit potential and liquidity strategies for direct investments, aligning with broader portfolio objectives.
• Portfolio Monitoring & Reporting
• Monitor and analyze portfolio performance, providing regular updates to senior leadership and investment committees.
• Prepare investment reports, risk assessments, and performance reviews for both direct and fund investments.
• Work closely with finance teams on valuations, cashflow management, and fund performance tracking.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Market Intelligence
• Maintain strong relationships with VC fund managers, startup founders, co-investors, and industry partners.
• Stay updated on market trends, emerging sectors, and investment opportunities.
• Represent the organization at investment forums, pitch events, and strategic networking sessions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in venture capital, private equity, direct startup investments (Series A & B), and fund strategy.
• Hands-on experience in investment execution, due diligence (IDD), and portfolio management.
• Strong understanding of VC fund structures, co-investments, capital calls, and fund governance.
• Proficiency in financial modeling, risk assessment, and investment structuring.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, particularly with fund managers, startup founders, and institutional investors.
• Familiar with legal, regulatory, and compliance aspects of venture investments.