Venture Manager

University of British Columbia•Vancouver, BC

About The Position

UBC Sauder School of Business is one of the world’s leading business faculties. The school consistently ranks among the top 100 in the world and is recognized internationally for excellence in research and learning, an outstanding faculty and unmatched global partnerships. A collaborative and respectful culture within which all members of our community can thrive is a key principle in our strategic plan, and one that underpins our educational mission. We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at the Vancouver Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam. We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at UBC Robson Square is situated on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a unique program for massively scalable early stage science-based technology startups with locations in Canada, USA, France and the UK. CDL-Vancouver is anchored at the UBC Sauder School of Business, supporting and contributing to the entire west coast innovation ecosystem in Canada and in the US. CDL is a high priority and high-profile initiative for the UBC Sauder School of Business and UBC. Program outcomes can be expected to have a significant impact on UBC Sauder and UBC’s public profile and standing in the eyes of Universities, the startup & technology sector, and the general public in both Canada and the US. The Venture Manager is responsible for several elements of day-to-day CDL-Vancouver operations, including identifying potential opportunities, venture recruiting, account management for the ventures in the cohort, and supporting the delivery of CDL programming.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of four years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Nice To Haves

STEM Degree/technology background is preferred.
Significant experience working with startups, technology companies, or venture capital.
Strong analytical ability and understanding of business models and drivers of success in startups across several verticals.
Experience analyzing and systematically evaluating ventures.
Proficiency with financial modeling, conducting market analysis, and strategic planning is an asset.
Experience and confidence engaging with multiple stakeholders.
Entrepreneurial and highly motivated with strong interest in startups and venture capital.
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interact and build relationships with a diverse and challenging personalities with a high degree of tact is critical.
Highly organized with strong project management experience.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Passion to consistently meet or exceed performance objectives.
Strong, team-oriented work ethic with willingness to work independently and autonomously.

Responsibilities

Identifies and creates lists of centres of innovation in Western Canadian and US Universities, venture capital funds, incubators & accelerators and tech associations to build a strong pipeline of CDL applicants.
Proactively searches and creates new business relationships for CDL-Vancouver and works with Senior Venture Managers to engage current and future cohorts.
Manages day-to-day facilitation between CDL-Vancouver, new ventures and other groups. Creates internal and external relationships to provide high level opportunities to the new ventures.
Advises on the development of outreach strategy for recruitment of future CDL-Vancouver cohort based on past experience.
Builds pipeline of CDL-Vancouver prospects and implements system for monitoring.
Utilizes analytical tools and evaluation frameworks to assess fit for early-stage science and engineering-based start-ups that apply for the CDL program.
Conducts initial screening of all CDL-Vancouver applicants and provides recommendations to decision committee.
Supports Senior Venture Managers with account management activities, including communications, research and overall client management.
Provides business development support to CDL-Vancouver ventures, as required.
Reviews and documents interactions between ventures, CDL Scientists, investors, and MBA/BCom students.
Creates plans based on interactions with ventures and provides advice to different groups.
Utilizes project management systems and generates reports for senior management on weekly basis
Supports strategic process improvement initiatives and makes recommendations to the Senior Venture Managers to ensure business success in the CDL-Vancouver division.
Reports on CDL-Vancouver KPIs and creates initial plans to present to the Senior Venture Managers, Associate Director and Director.
Supports rollout of integrated communication strategy (social media, PR, etc.) in collaboration with CDL Toronto team.
Provides ad hoc event planning support to CDL-Vancouver division.
Performs other duties as required.