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Job Title:
Venture Development Director
Department:
ERIK | Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship
The Ohio State University’s Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship seeks a Venture Development Director to lead the university’s cutting-edge technologies to market through the creation, staffing and support of startup companies. The Venture Development Director will work with business leaders and the university to structure transactions that provide value to all parties and ensure access to capital required for growth of businesses.
This position will partner with colleges, departments, and the university’s technology licensing managers to identify and recommend inventors and innovative technologies with strong startup potential. Applying professional experience in evaluating technologies’ prospects, the Venture Development Director will shepherd inventors through the process of creating a startup that will attract venture capital. Strong relationships with entrepreneurs-in-residence and business leaders will be key in helping the company launch, enable investment by third parties, and align the interests of Ohio State with those of the startup.
The successful candidate will be a natural connector, thrive in a fast-paced environment and communicate well with diverse audiences, from students to executives. They must have a strong moral compass and customer-service orientation as they juggle competing priorities and make complex decisions.
The position reports to the Senior Director, Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship in the Corporate Engagement Office. It currently oversees one part-time position with a plan to grow the team. The Director also serves as the primary contact for the Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Startup Fund (TVSF) Phase 2 program and as board observer for Ohio State portfolio companies.
Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
Bachelors degree in business administration, finance, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience; at least eight (8) years of investment experience in private equity or venture capital; experience in transaction structuring, deal negotiation, market analysis, customer validation, and financial projections; familiarity with corporate governance documents; experience in advising boards and management teams.
Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
MBA; experience making deals in the realm of life sciences.
Additional Information:
The Ohio State University and the Office of Innovation and Economic Development value diversity in people and ideas. We are an inclusive, supportive community where our team can comfortably join in or confidently stand out. We treat everyone with dignity, kindness, and fairness regardless of origins, views, or affiliations. We demonstrate commitment to the ideas of diversity such as fostering diverse viewpoints and perspectives, allowing us to perform our best work.
Due to U.S. export control regulations governing information, technology, and facilities accessed during the performance of work, applicants must be: (1) U.S. citizens or nationals; (2) permanent residents; (3) asylees or refugees; or (4) individuals otherwise described as “protected individuals” pursuant to Title 8 U.S. Code Section 1324b(a)(3)(b).
OSU will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.