Director, Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Since the founding of Candide Group in 2013, we have taken a broad impact approach that was designed to be responsive to the world’s evolving needs, in constant conversation with affected communities to set priorities. In 2024, we realized that we could better organize, conduct, and communicate our work through four thematic areas or “verticals” of impact, while keeping an openness to emergent strategies. These include Home and Place, Employee Ownership, Climate Justice, and Inclusive Entrepreneurship. We cut across these verticals with intersectional lenses, as we seek to support individuals and communities who have experienced the harms of extractive finance. With regards to Inclusive Entrepreneurship , Candide Group understands that we can advance equity by using capital as a tool for economic justice by expanding opportunity, strengthening local businesses, building generational wealth, and supporting entrepreneurs and communities historically excluded from traditional financing. The ideal candidate may have worked as a capital allocator for a foundation or at a similar Registered Investment Advisor or fund of funds or led an impact-oriented venture, private equity, venture or small business loan fund or portfolio, as well as spent time in advancing equity and justice work or government policy, and will bring a strong background in conducting due diligence and investment management. We understand that while candidates may not have expertise in all of these key areas and expected responsibilities, they should have deep demonstrated experience in at least several of these areas and in general feel comfortable across both debt and equity analysis. At a minimum, candidates will be confident that they possess the due diligence and financial analysis skills, relationship‑building capacity and enthusiasm required to learn deeper underwriting of such opportunities, and a deep awareness of the needs and opportunities in the communities we seek to serve. Duties and Responsibilities: Proactively source and evaluate investment opportunities around our Inclusive Entrepreneurship vertical that align with Candide’s financial and impact objectives. Conduct in‑depth research to develop and maintain a robust investment pipeline, while collaborating with colleagues to ensure integration across initiatives. Conduct deep and nuanced assessments of impact strategies in the Inclusive Entrepreneurship vertical, identifying critical needs for entrepreneurs, small business owners and community‑based businesses while assessing the potential contribution of innovative fund strategies toward addressing those needs. Lead comprehensive due diligence and underwriting across asset types (e.g., venture, loan funds, community development financial institutions, private equity and private debt), ensuring both financial and impact outcomes are met. Independently draft high‑quality investment memorandums with strong analytical support and attention to detail. Fund & Vehicle Development Contribute to the ideation and design, structuring, and potential launch of an Inclusive Entrepreneurship fund and/or investment vehicle. If launched, oversee fundraising efforts, investor engagement, and capital deployment strategies to ensure alignment between capital, portfolio performance, and long‑term impact. Thought Leadership & Strategic Engagement Lead comprehensive analysis of the impact vertical and continuously track and monitor the market and policy issues most pertinent to advancing the cause of inclusive entrepreneurship. Develop and share insights through quarterly commentaries, impact reporting, and other Candide communications. Represent Candide as a leading Inclusive Entrepreneurship practitioner and contributor at conferences, industry events, and client engagements. Build a community of interested followers that could be prospective partner investors or stakeholders in the space. Support the ongoing monitoring and performance management of a diverse portfolio of legacy investments in this vertical (15-20 active funds) Collaborate with the investment team to identify risks, track impact and financial performance, and ensure timely reporting. Travel may be required (approximately 15%). Qualifications A Candidate likely to thrive in this role: Brings 7+ years of experience in sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, with the ability to conduct research and build a robust pipeline aligned to financial and impact objectives. Has a deep commitment for expanding pathways to generational wealth through entrepreneurship and an understanding of the financing solutions (and gaps) for underrepresented entrepreneurs looking to start and grow businesses, whether they are local ‘Main Street’ businesses or fast‑growth venture‑backed ones. Possesses demonstrated ability in impact diligence and financial analysis, with strong skills in assessing community needs and evaluating impact strategies. Has demonstrated success in leading due diligence and underwriting across a range of asset classes, such as venture, blended capital structures, private equity and private debt funds. Demonstrates experience or interest and capability in integrating grassroots and community perspectives into investment diligence and underwriting. Communicates findings effectively through well‑crafted investment memoranda and client presentations that combine analytical rigor with clear recommendations. Demonstrates the ability to contribute Inclusive Entrepreneurship thought leadership, including writing commentary and impact reports, and representing investment themes at industry events and conferences. Can support or lead a fund or vehicle development, including structuring, fundraising, capital deployment, and ongoing management, if such a vehicle is launched. Excels in portfolio monitoring and performance management, identifying risks and ensuring alignment of financial returns with impact outcomes. Communicates effectively across diverse viewpoints and lived experiences, engaging with respect and empathy. Operates as a self‑starter, comfortable working independently while maintaining high standards for quality and rigor. Candide Group leverages capital to support the transition away from an extractive global economy to one that is built upon values of social justice and sustainability. We are a SEC Registered Investment Advisor based in Oakland, California, that supports families, foundations, athletes and cultural influencers nationally who want their money working for social justice. As impact investors, we seek to foster social benefit alongside financial return. We prioritize intersectional and systematic change approaches, and are committed to applying a social, economic and racial equity lens to our work. Candide Group supports investments across all sectors, geographies, asset classes and stages – including direct investments and funds; debt and equity — as long as we believe there is a strong impact intervention, a viable financial case, and a team with the skills to execute.Over half our portfolio is led by people of color and women, and in general we have a strong commitment to equity and inclusion both within our team and the teams we invest in. #J-18808-Ljbffr