Operating Partner, Fundraising & Technology

Playground Global; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 300,000 - 425,000; Full time

Job summary

Playground Global is seeking an Operating Partner, Fundraising & Technology, based in Palo Alto, CA. You will drive fundraising efforts, identify lead investors, and guide portfolio companies through capital raises. A strong VC/IB/CD background and a robust investor network are essential.

You will collaborate with the IR and marketing teams, build strategic connections, and help portfolio companies achieve fundraising milestones and strategic exits. Travel about 20% is expected.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience leading capital-raising efforts from outreach through due diligence, valuation, and structuring for technology companies.
• Ideal background in investment banking, corporate development, or venture capital.
• Track record of identifying and closing lead investors at later-stage tech companies.
• Strong network with investors, acquirers, and advisors.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising initiatives and identify lead investors for portfolio companies.
• Develop fundraising playbooks and provide strategic guidance throughout funding journeys.
• Cultivate relationships with later-stage investors (venture, growth, cross-over, secondary).
• Advise on M&A activities and investment strategies to enable exits and partnerships.
• Collaborate with Investor Relations and marketing to align communications and deal opportunities.
• Support portfolio companies with data rooms, financial models, and fundraising materials.

Skills

Capital raising

Investor relations

Venture capital

Corporate development

M&A advisory

Business development

Strategic networking

Job description

Playground Global is a venture capital firm backing the most technically ambitious founders working at the edge of engineering and science. With over $1.7 billion under management, Playground invests in early-stage companies defining the future of next-generation compute, automation, energy, and engineered biology.

We are seeking an Operating Partner, Fundraising & Technology who has a track record of successfully identifying and closing lead investors at later-stage technology companies. Our ideal candidate is someone who will be pivotal in guiding and supporting our deep tech portfolio companies (across next-gen computing, AI and automation, logistics and infrastructure, and energy transition), ensuring teams have achieved the necessary business development milestones and customer traction before fundraising, ensuring an optimal outcome for the portfolio company.

You will create relevant commercial, strategic, and knowledge-sharing opportunities/connectivity on commercial positioning, market expansion, industry trends, and perspectives of leading investors and decision-makers.

What You'll Do

Fundraising

• Collect market intelligence and perform ongoing research on deal activity in Playground Global's key sectors.

• Develop a comprehensive fundraising playbook to help Portfolio Companies understand the capital-raising process.

• Establish yourself as a trusted advisor to Playground Portfolio Companies, offering strategic guidance throughout their funding journeys.

• Provide expert counsel on the entire funding lifecycle, from initial stages to subsequent rounds. Help identify lead investors and coordinate with Playground's IR team to connect appropriate LPs as follow-on investors.

• Foster senior executive relationships, including but not limited to CFOs and independent board members.

Building Strategic Relationships

• Cultivate relationships with later-stage investors, including Venture, Growth, Cross-over, and Secondary investors

• Support the facilitation of relevant commercial or strategic introductions amongst portfolio companies, network relationships, and prospects.

• Advise Portfolio Companies on M&A activities, including potential suitable partners and investment strategies; foster strategic relationships for successful M&A and IPO.

Advisory Support

• Inform portfolio companies on trends and strategic priorities of key customer verticals.

• Synthesize complex and often disparate qualitative and quantitative data sources to build a narrative around company performance.

Cross-team Collaboration

• Offer strategic guidance to the investment team, contributing insights on potential investments and M&A opportunities.

• Collaborate closely with the marketing team to develop and deliver Playground's unique perspective on your area of expertise.

• Strategize with Playground Investor Relations to identify suitable Limited Partners (LPs) for potential direct investment.

What Success Looks Like (6-12 Months In)

• Learn the portfolio and what the companies need to accomplish to achieve a successful fundraise or exit

• Network with later-stage capital who can write lead term sheets in follow on rounds

• Attend relevant banker and industry events to ensure the portfolio is networking among relevant stakeholders

• Assist portfolio companies in the creation of data rooms and financial models in preparation of fundraising, strategic partnerships, and acquisition conversations

Skills & Traits

• You have 10+ years of relevant experience showcasing expertise in leading capital-raising efforts from initial outreach through due diligence, valuation, and structuring for technology companies.

• Ideal experience can be derived from investment banking, corporate development, or venture capital backgrounds.

• You have a track record of successfully identifying and closing lead investors at later-stage technology companies.

• You have a strong network and the ability to build and maintain connectivity with investors, acquirers, and advisors.

• You possess strong written and verbal communication. Independent executor who has strong collaboration skills. Solid project management skills among both internal and external constituents. Dream up new creative ways to be a champion for the success of Playground companies.

• You can think creatively and devise innovative deal approaches and solutions to address complex challenges.

The job is based in Palo Alto, California, and is not eligible for remote status. Travel is required for this position, on average 20% of the time a quarter.

The annual base salary range is $300,000 to $425,000. This range represents the low and high end of this California-based position's anticipated base salary range. The base salary will depend on numerous factors such as experience, knowledge, and skills.

This role is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The company will not sponsor applicants for work visas, nor will it transfer existing visas, for this position now or in the future.

We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to building a team that reflects the world we live in. If you’re passionate about our work, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and encourage individuals of all identities to apply.

E-Verify Participation

Playground Global participates in E-Verify. This means we will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For more information on E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please see the E-Verify Participation Poster and Right to Work Poster.