Associate or Senior Associate

Lever VC • New York, NY

14d • Hybrid

About The Position

Lever VC is a venture capital firm focused on the global food and agriculture sector, investing in early- to mid-stage startups. They are seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join their investment team. This role involves a full-cycle investment process, including sourcing deals, conducting due diligence, supporting portfolio companies, and contributing to the fund's strategic direction. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a strong interest in the food and agriculture sector, venture capital or business experience, and is highly organized. This is a US-based role, with a preference for candidates who can work from their New York City office several days a week, though exceptional candidates outside the area will be considered. Some domestic and occasional international travel is also required.

Requirements

• Associate: 2+ years in venture capital, investment banking, management consulting, or a leadership role at a high-growth startup or food sector operating company
• Financial modeling experience
• Excellent research abilities
• Exceptional written and verbal communication
• Highly organized and proactive
• Genuine passion for food systems, agriculture, or sustainability.
• Senior Associate: The above-listed characteristics plus: 4+ total years of experience in venture capital, investment banking, management consulting, or a leadership role at a high-growth startup or food sector operating company
• Track record of independently sourcing and leading due diligence on investments
• An active network within the food and agriculture VC ecosystem

Nice To Haves

• Deep sector or deal experience in the packaged foods sector is a major bonus
• Experience managing projects or junior team members preferred
• Thrive in an entrepreneurial and self-directed environment where you don’t prefer to be told what to do but rather to identify what needs to happen and build the workflow and processes to make it happen
• Adept networker who can build connections with co-investors, founders and domain experts
• Strong intelligence, intellectual/logical rigor, and clear communication to team investment discussions.

Responsibilities

• Proactively source investment opportunities through outbound outreach, ecosystem mapping, and conference engagement.
• Build and maintain a robust and differentiated deal pipeline across Lever VC’s focus areas, including through engaging with peer investment firms, tracking emerging trends across food, ag, and adjacent technology sectors, leveraging AI and software systems, and attending industry events.
• Lead or support the full diligence processes, including conducting calls with target companies, market analysis, competitive landscaping, technology assessment, data room reviews, site visits, and similar.
• Present insights to the Partners and full investment team and prepare detailed investment memos and recommendations to the investment committee.
• Serve as a trusted resource for portfolio companies across strategy, hiring, business development, and follow-on fundraising.
• Monitor portfolio performance, proactively surface risks and opportunities, and facilitate introductions within Lever VC’s global network.
• Assist in developing sector theses, market maps, and original research that advance Lever VC’s perspective on food and ag.
• Contribute to the Fund’s external presence through occasional written content and speaking engagements.
• Support internal workflows including pipeline tracking, diligence processes, reporting and LP communications as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed