VC Director @ Energize Capital in Chicago, IL

VC Stack; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health, vision, dental, and HSA

401(k) matching

Generous paid time off

Market-leading parental leave policy

Health club reimbursement

Continuing education stipend

Remote Fridays option

Lunch provided on in-office days

Job summary

Energize Capital, based in Chicago, is seeking a Director of Operations to lead the firm's operational strategies and processes. This full-time position entails managing internal and external relationships to improve efficiency and facilitate growth.

The ideal candidate has 7-10 years of operational experience, a Bachelor's degree, and exceptional analytical, communication, and project management skills. Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, 401(k) matching, and flexible work options.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of operational experience at an investment firm preferred.
• Proactive and determined with a strong work ethic.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and industry regulations applicable to firm.

Responsibilities

• Manage and implement operational strategies and policies.
• Ensure efficient execution of operational processes.
• Manage relationships with key vendors and service providers.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for improvement.

Skills

Operational experience at an investment firm

Strong analytical skills

Detail-oriented

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Project management skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Energize Capital is a leading multi‑stage investor in climate solutions. Founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, to date Energize has funded 30+ companies and deployed more than $750 million through its venture capital and endurance strategies. The firm manages more than $1.6 billion in assets and is backed by institutional, strategic and impact LPs including Invenergy, CDPQ, GE Vernova, Caterpillar and more.

Position Overview

Become a part of the Energize Capital team to contribute to our purpose of investing in leading climate solutions companies to generate top‑tier returns and enable sustainable innovation at scale. We are a close‑knit team with an entrepreneurial spirit, and this role requires flexibility, a diverse skill set, and an ability to perform at a high level on multiple fronts. We are looking for a driven, hardworking, and experienced professional to support and elevate our firm operations.

The Director of Operations will report to Energize’s Partner/COO. This individual will be primarily responsible for developing and executing Energize’s operations strategy.

The Director of Operations is a key leadership role responsible for the overall management and execution of all operational functions within the firm. This includes overseeing operational processes, working closely with internal teams and external vendors, and implementing strategies to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and support the firm’s growth objectives. Energize Capital is a newly registered investment advisor.

This is a full‑time position located in Chicago.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership:
  • Manage and implement operational strategies and policies to support the firm’s business objectives.
  • Ensure the efficient and effective execution of all operational processes, including office management, new office buildout, IT, employee manual, contracts and vendors, compliance support, insurance and team offsites.
• Maintain high‑quality internal communications for upcoming projects and events that impact the team.
• Policy Management:
  • Maintain a robust policy framework, ensuring adherence to all relevant regulations and internal policies.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks, developing and implementing risk management procedures.
  • With the compliance team, oversee the implementation and maintenance of internal controls to prevent errors and mitigate risk.
• Technology and Systems:
  • Manage relationships with key vendors and service providers, including third‑party technology providers.
  • Evaluate and implement new technologies and systems to improve operational efficiency.
• Financial Management:
  • Manage the operations budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation and cost control.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify areas for improvement.
• Stakeholder Management:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including investment, portfolio services, and operations teams.
• Compliance:
  • Support the training, certifications, and documenting of compliance program, working with third‑party compliance provider.
• Project Management:
  • Manage operational projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Current resident of or willing to relocate to Chicago for the position
• Bachelor’s degree
• 7‑10 years of operational experience at an investment firm preferred
• Strong analytical skills and the ability and willingness to navigate, interpret and apply the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
• Detail‑oriented with a track record of consistently producing high‑quality work
• Proactive and determined, with a strong work ethic
• Knowledge of federal, state and industry regulations applicable to firm
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively
• Project management, technological and prioritization skills
• Strong problem‑solving skills

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, vision, dental, and HSA from day one of employment
• 401(k) matching
• Generous paid time off in addition to 10 company holidays and a flexible winter holiday schedule
• Market‑leading parental leave policy and family planning benefits
• Health club reimbursement
• Continuing education stipend
• Option to work remote Fridays
• Lunch provided on in‑office days

Energize Capital embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.