Caterpillar
When you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.We believe that the energy transition represents a significant opportunity for Caterpillar and are investing in new technologies through internal R&D and external partnerships, including with Venture Capital (VC) stage companies. The Venture Capital Director will provide leadership, strategy, and execution of Caterpillar’s VC initiative which includes building and managing a portfolio of investments in venture-backed companies that provide strategic benefits and financial returns to the Enterprise.
Job Duties
The Caterpillar Venture Capital Director duties include the following functions:
Leadership of the Caterpillar VC Initiative
- Own the enterprise VC process, strategy, guidelines and manage the overall VC organization.
Networking
- In order to maximize the number of opportunities that the enterprise has available, a key activity for this position is to represent Caterpillar externally in building relationships with a large number of external parties, including traditional VC firms, investment bankers, Caterpillar dealers, and other corporate VC teams, which in many cases are Caterpillar customers.
Transactions
- Execute VC transactions on behalf of the Caterpillar Business Unit Source, evaluate and lead all new and follow-on direct investments for minority positions in start up enterprises.
- Source, evaluate, and lead all new and follow-on investments into Venture Capital funds.
- Evaluate and lead all exit opportunities related to the direct investments in the investment portfolio.
- Lead M&A acquisitions by Caterpillar of all portfolio companies.
Manage the Investment Portfolio
- Provide oversight to all portfolio companies, including:
- In most cases, serving as a board observer during the portfolio companies board meetings.
- Providing feedback to the Caterpillar Business Units on potential opportunities and risk.
- Evaluating potential for acquisition by Caterpillar.
- Being Caterpillar’s liaison to the company when a company goes through an exit process.
- Direct responsibility to manage any investment which have become “non-strategic” to the business units, which includes making recommendations on future funding rounds.
- Track and manage all relationships related to external venture capital fund investments.
Communication & Reporting
- Provide communication to key leaders across the enterprise, including the Caterpillar CEO and CFO, other Executive Office members, and senior Business Unit leaders. Communications include:
- Material related to a transaction, from initial reviews through obtaining approvals for a specific investment proposals.
- Quarterly updates for each Segments investment activities.
- Overall portfolio reporting including performance metrics to the entire Executive Office.
- Quarterly impairment review of the entire portfolio on behalf of the Segments.
Additional Responsibilities
- In addition, the Venture Capital Director continuously reviews global macroeconomic data, industry trends, emerging technologies, customer and competitive trends to identify critical enterprise issues and risks, which could be addressed through the Venture Capital Initiative.
- Also closely works with the other members of the Enterprise Strategy Division on market intelligence.
Background/Experience
This position requires experience in Venture Capital investing, strong financial and business acumen, and exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.The position requires the ability to manage a large number of projects and portfolio investments at one time.Qualifications should also include a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible job-related experience.Experience with M&A or other types of equity transactions would be helpful.
LOCATION: Preference is Caterpillar’s Global Headquarters in Dallas, TX with Chicago, IL or Peoria, IL as alternative locations.