VC Principal @ Westwood Ventures in Menlo Park, CA

We are seeking an experienced, full-time investing venture Principal who can source, recruit, research, and evaluate opportunities on behalf of Westwood Ventures.

This individual will serve as a leader of the Fund’s investing work: deal sourcing, researching, evaluating, and managing relationships with portfolio companies and fellow venture investors. The successful Principal will drive enhanced deal quality and improve co-investing opportunities for AV and will have significant input into the creation of a unique portfolio amassing highly valuable strategic assets. AV is a fast-paced, professional, entrepreneurial environment. As Principal, this individual will report directly to and work closely with the Managing Partner of the fund.

Responsibilities

• Network with various players in the startup ecosystem
• Identify deal resources and conduct outreach to VCs, entrepreneurs, incubators, and more to help fill our deal pipeline with prospects
• Educate deal sources and companies/entrepreneurs about our process and effectively manage relationships
• Prepare and distribute due diligence packages
• Research and evaluate each opportunity as a potential investment, including interviewing company teams, competitors, and customers
• Recruit, train, and manage interns/fellows to help support deal outreach and research
• Present opportunities and respond to Managing Partner and LP questions, run deal meetings, and orchestrate IC meetings
• Help create and manage our company database, monitoring prospects on an ongoing basis
• Assemble and update CRM on companies and entrepreneurs
• As requested, assist with investor relations and potential investor outreach
• Help supervise back-end functions as needed
• Suggest improvements to our approach, process, products, and services

• Bachelor’s degree
• MBA or advanced degree preferred
• 3-4 years of  experience in VC, product management, consulting, or investment banking

Ideal Traits 

• Strong research and analytical skills
• Excellent work ethic and professional demeanor
• Demonstrated interest and experience in entrepreneurship, as well as emerging companies and technologies
• Experience in company research and due diligence preparation
• Track-record of managing multiple, complex projects at the same time
• Strong writer and communicator, excellent listener, with superior sales skills and comfort regularly interacting with potential community members
• Capable networker, with an ability to grow our system and process for identifying deals
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, balanced by ability to get and communicate big picture
• Self-starter and independent manager, but good team player and personnel manager
• Smart, creative thinker and problem-solver, fast learner, with demonstrated initiative
• Database management and strong technical and social media experience a big plus