Sr. Director, NY Ventures, Fund Partner Progr

Senior Director of Venture Capital Programs

Applicants MUST submit a cover letter with resume to be considered. This position will require in-office presence. Hybrid work schedules may be possible based on specific job duties and consistent with ESD policy. Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources if you require an accommodation.

BASIC FUNCTION: Oversee the execution and strategic scaling of NY State's venture fund partnerships, including the Emerging and Regional Manager and Community Partner funds. Direct the recruitment and management of fund partners to expand capital access for entrepreneurs statewide. Under leadership of NY Ventures Managing Director, work with an integrated team to provide investment reporting, cross-agency collaboration, and the development of future initiatives to drive New York's high-growth innovation economy.

The Emerging and Regional Partner and Community and Regional Partner program funds, are the "fund of funds" programs that NY Ventures created and administers. Funded with $144M of State Small Business Credit Initiative capital from US Treasury, these programs are designed to increase access to capital for innovative start-up companies with high growth potential across New York State, to help close gaps in access to venture capital due to location, industry or background.

NY Ventures is the venture capital group under the Small Business & Technology Development Division at Empire State Development (ESD), the economic development agency of New York State. The team at NY Ventures manages over $300M of funds for its direct investments in startups and its fund of funds programs. New York Ventures mission is to fuel innovation and startup growth in strategic sectors across all of NYS by providing venture capital investing that drives long-term economic progress.

WORK PERFORMED: The Senior Director will primarily be responsible for managing, directing and overseeing the Emerging and Regional Manager and Community and Regional Partner multi-fund SSBCI programs under the guidance and in support of the Managing Director of NY Ventures:

• Lead the effort to recruit, identify and select investment funds including diligence process, coordinating with other team members for evaluation and preparing final investment recommendations to the Managing Director and the ESD Board of Directors.
• Cultivate and manage industry partner relationships to grow and build awareness and pipeline of applications for the multi-fund programs, especially those focused on serving Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI)-led companies.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the program including relationships with fund managers and supporting the success of their operations.
• Coordinate with outside and internal legal counsel to secure Limited Partner Agreements for new investment funds.
• Develop, track, monitor and report success of overall program outcomes to internal and external stakeholders, including quarterly and annual reports to US Treasury.
• Represent ESD and/or NY Ventures at conferences and meetings, make presentations and participate in panel discussions regarding building and scaling startup companies and communities.
• Travel an average of 30% of time, primarily in state.
• Working effectively with other colleagues within ESD and the State to further the development of the work of NY Ventures and the Small Business and Technology Development Division including developing new programs that support startup companies and communities.
• Manage other projects as needed and requested by the NY Ventures Managing Director within the Small Business and Technology Division.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education Level required: Graduate degree in business administration, public policy, urban planning, business administration, or related field.

Equivalent Experience required: 5+ years' experience working in venture or investment fund administration and management, economic or business development particularly as it relates to work within the innovation sector and ecosystem, partner and relationship development and management.

Knowledge required: Excellent program management, writing, research, and presentation skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Strong understanding of venture capital fund operations, high growth innovation programs, venture finance, policy, and public/private/nonprofit stakeholders. Understanding of economic development issues and policy as it relates to building and supporting innovation communities' start-ups.

Skills required: Computer and organizational skills including experience and knowledge of venture capital specific programs such as Carta and Pitchbook. Knowledge of and interest in the application of AI to streamline workflows and processes.