Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Venture Manager

🎯 Role Definition

As a Venture Manager, you will be a key driver of our innovation engine, operating at the intersection of corporate strategy and the fast-paced world of startups. You are responsible for the full lifecycle of venture investing, from sourcing and evaluating groundbreaking companies to managing and supporting our portfolio to accelerate their growth and create strategic synergies. This role requires a unique blend of sharp financial acumen, deep technological curiosity, and exceptional relationship-building skills. You will be our eyes and ears in the market, identifying "the next big thing" and building the case to bring those opportunities into our ecosystem.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Analyst or Associate (Venture Capital / Private Equity)
Experienced Product Manager (Tech / Startup)
Management or Strategy Consultant
Startup Founder or Early Employee

Advancement To:

Senior Venture Manager / Principal
Director of Ventures / Head of Corporate Venture Capital
Head of Innovation or Corporate Strategy

Lateral Moves:

Director of Corporate Development / M&A
Director of Business Development & Partnerships

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Spearhead comprehensive market research and landscape analysis to proactively identify emerging investment trends, disruptive technologies, and promising sectors aligned with our strategic thesis.
Cultivate and manage a high-quality, proprietary network of entrepreneurs, co-investors, academic institutions, accelerators, and industry thought leaders to ensure a robust and differentiated deal flow pipeline.
Lead the initial screening and qualification of inbound and sourced investment opportunities, effectively assessing their alignment with our strategic goals and investment criteria.
Execute rigorous end-to-end due diligence processes on potential investments, encompassing financial modeling, valuation, competitive analysis, technology assessment, intellectual property review, and team evaluation.
Develop compelling, data-driven investment memorandums and presentations for the Investment Committee, clearly articulating the investment thesis, risk-reward profile, and strategic rationale.
Drive the structuring and negotiation of complex term sheets, investment agreements, and related legal documentation in collaboration with legal counsel to secure favorable terms.
Act as a strategic partner and advisor to portfolio company leadership, providing hands-on support in areas such as go-to-market strategy, product development, fundraising, and key talent acquisition.
Serve as the primary liaison between portfolio companies and the parent organization, proactively identifying and facilitating pilot programs, commercial partnerships, and other strategic collaborations to drive mutual value.
Represent the company and venture arm as a brand ambassador at industry conferences, networking events, and startup ecosystem gatherings to enhance our market presence and reputation.
Originate and refine investment theses in core strategic areas, conducting deep dives into new markets and technologies to inform our proactive sourcing and investment strategy.
Manage deal execution from initial contact through to closing, coordinating with all internal and external stakeholders to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
Monitor market dynamics and the competitive landscape to provide ongoing strategic insights and identify potential threats or opportunities for the portfolio and parent company.

Secondary Functions

Implement and manage a robust portfolio monitoring system, tracking KPIs, financial performance, and strategic milestones to provide regular, insightful reports to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Develop and maintain relationships with internal business unit leaders to understand their strategic priorities and facilitate effective collaboration with the startup ecosystem.
Mentor and support junior members of the venture and innovation team, fostering a culture of learning and professional development.
Contribute to the creation of thought leadership content, such as white papers, blog posts, and market reports, to establish the firm as a leader in its investment domains.
Facilitate internal innovation workshops and "demo days" to expose business units to emerging technologies and portfolio company solutions.
Support the fund's financial and operational management, including capital calls, distributions, and annual reporting processes.
Assist in refining the fund's overall strategy, investment criteria, and internal processes to adapt to changing market conditions.
Manage and track the venture program budget, including deal-related expenses and operational costs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Financial Modeling & Valuation: Expertise in building and interpreting complex financial models (DCF, comps, etc.) to assess startup valuations and investment returns.
Due Diligence: Proven ability to conduct comprehensive technical, commercial, and financial due diligence on early-stage companies.
Term Sheet & Cap Table Analysis: Strong understanding of venture financing structures, term sheets, and capitalization tables.
Market Research & Analysis: Ability to synthesize large amounts of information to identify market trends, size opportunities, and analyze competitive landscapes.
Portfolio Management: Experience in monitoring portfolio company performance, managing reporting requirements, and providing post-investment support.
Deal Sourcing & Pipeline Management: Skill in building and managing a CRM or similar system to track deal flow and relationships effectively.

Soft Skills

Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Ability to connect disparate ideas and market signals into a coherent investment thesis and strategic vision.
Relationship Building & Networking: An innate ability to build and maintain authentic, long-term relationships with entrepreneurs and investors.
Persuasive Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and convincingly to senior executives.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: A proactive, self-starting attitude with high agency, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for technology and innovation.
Stakeholder Management: Adept at navigating complex corporate environments and aligning diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from a top-tier university.

Preferred Education:

MBA or other relevant advanced degree (e.g., MS, PhD) is highly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Business Administration, Finance, Economics
Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-8 years of professional experience in a relevant field.

Preferred:

Direct experience in venture capital, private equity, corporate development (M&A), top-tier management consulting with a focus on technology/growth, or investment banking.
Alternatively, significant operational experience in a leadership role at a high-growth, venture-backed startup is highly valued.