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Investment Director, Tech Investment Group

Full Time

Deadline: Open until filled. Please submit a cover letter and resume.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Ben Franklin) is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that combines the best practices of venture capital investing with a higher purpose – to lead the region’s technology community to new heights, creating jobs and transforming lives.

 

Ben Franklin is one of the nation’s leading venture development organizations (VDOs). Nationally ranked among the most active seed and early-stage investors, Ben Franklin works to help high-growth innovative enterprises plant and nurture their roots, supporting more than 2,000 companies to create both immediate connections and growth opportunities, while delivering an economic impact of more than $5 billion and 32,000 jobs in the Philadelphia region.

 

Summary: 

Ben Franklin’s Tech Investment Group (Tech) manages a portfolio of over 75 technology sector investments that range from pre-seed stage to Series B/C stage. In addition, Tech makes 12-15 new investments each year, typically in pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds. We support start-up founders who are bringing innovative technologies to market.

The Investment Director, Tech position will work collaboratively with the Tech team to help source and review new investments, and support our existing portfolio companies.  Day-to-day activities include management of technical and business due diligence, management of the portfolio company relationship, deal negotiation and subsequent board observer once an applicant has been approved for investment.  As part of the position’s day-to-day activities, the Investment Director, Tech will negotiate financial and non-financial terms (both during and after the initial investment stage, in transactions such as conversions of debt and equity and mergers and acquisitions), finalize investment documentation, and deploy or direct provision of management support to Tech’s portfolio companies.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Administrative & Management

• Under the guidance of the Managing Director, manage and supervise Tech investment activity, including management of technical and business due diligence, management of the portfolio company relationship, deal negotiation and service as a portfolio company board observer.
• Under the guidance of the Managing Director, support the Tech team via a variety of investment, administrative, and pipeline development activities, including assisting with the supervision and support of Tech’s venture capital analysts.
• Represent Ben Franklin in the region to identify and target local companies that may be potential candidates for Ben Franklin funding, including serving as external reviewer for regional initiatives and programs in the Tech sector.
• Prepare and present reports as may be required for the organization’s stakeholders, such as the Board of Directors and its committees and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Network with peers in other venture capital firms and economic development agencies.

 

Investment Process Management

• Working with the Managing Director, identify and evaluate potential investment opportunities in technology-based early-stage companies within Ben Franklin’s region, including performing market research to help identify new investment trends and opportunities.
• Review proposals, identify key business issues, and conduct, assign and supervise due diligence activities.
• As part of Ben Franklin’s deal screening, attend calls and/or meet with prospects to evaluate opportunities.
• Manage external consultants (due diligence, portfolio management, others as appropriate), including execution of contractual agreements.
• Support valuation analysis via modeling, in coordination with Ben Franklin’s Finance Department team.
• Prepare internal investment memos as may be required for the organization’s stakeholders, such as the Board of Directors and its Investment Committee.
• Work with Ben Franklin’s Finance Department team to ensure all appropriate internal reports, and all appropriate requirements as requested by Ben Franklin’s auditors, are timely submitted.
• Supervise the negotiations and preparation of contracts and other documents required as part of the investment process.

Post-Investment Management

• Support the assessment of portfolio companies’ performance and their development activities or milestone-base achievements.
• Monitor portfolio company compliance with terms and conditions of investments, including ensuring receipt of appropriate ongoing compliance documentation, such as final reports, commitment letters, and performance impact surveys.
  • Prepare ongoing portfolio company progress updates and reports, including following documentation protocols by summarizing call notes and entering company and investment information into Ben Franklin’s Salesforce CRM.
• Conduct portfolio company site visits, as needed.

 

 

Requirements: 

• Minimum of five years’ experience in venture capital, private equity, or venture banking.
• Master’s degree or Doctorate degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency handling multiple, complex projects, both collaboratively and independently; highly self-motivated.
• Ability to work with multiple internal and external constituencies, with strong leadership abilities.
• Willingness to learn and grow, including remaining up to date on venture capital and technology related developments.
• Strong problem solving, analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Office 365, SharePoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and foster collaborative relationships; record of successful collaboration with others to achieve significant business objectives.

 

Other Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively with departments throughout the organization.
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload; conduct complex assignments independently.
• Initiative-taking, innovative, and initiative-taking.
  • Must be meticulous, able to hit the ground running, and comfortable working in a flexible and entrepreneurial work environment.

 

 

Benefits of Working for Ben Franklin: 

Ben Franklin offers a competitive salary based on experience and skills and excellent benefits, including employer-paid health, disability, life insurance, retirement savings plan with employer match, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, and paid time off, including parental leave, professional development opportunities and much more.

 

Application deadline:  Open until filled. Please submit a cover letter and resume.

Please respond via employer portal at https://www.sep.benfranklin.org/resources/career-opportunities/

 

Ben Franklin maintains an inclusive workforce, where employees are hired, retained, compensated, and promoted based on their contributions to our mission, free from discrimination, prejudice, and bias. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our organization and our investment practices. Our collective strength is rooted in our values, where we support and honor our mission, appreciate and humbly serve our community and each other, demonstrate collaboration, and commit that “We Are the Change.” Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, age, disability, marital or familial status, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

 

Please note: This position will start in a hybrid work environment, with an office currently located in the Philadelphia Navy Yard (and expected to be relocated to the Center City area of Philadelphia in 2025). All candidates are expected to be able to work in either location, and will need to be flexible around changing hybrid work requirements.