The mission of the Office for Translation & Commercialization (OTC), which houses Duke Angel Network (DAN) and Duke New Ventures (DNV), is to ensure that Duke innovations reach the marketplace and that Duke-related startups are connected to Duke alumni for potential investment opportunities. DAN supports the global Duke entrepreneurial community through its angel investing platform and co-investment fund that engage and leverage the power of the global Duke network. The DAN team sources and curates investment opportunities in Duke-affiliated companies on behalf of its angel investor members, and it matches Duke expertise with DAN portfolio companies to support their growth. DNV helps turn Duke intellectual property into startup companies by providing industry-experienced advisors to Duke entrepreneurs, and liaising with venture capital firms and prospective executive management teams.
Occupational Summary
The Senior Associate will contribute to the mission of OTC by planning, analyzing and implementing strategies to facilitate process management and portfolio development initiatives for new venture assistance and DAN investment activities.
Work Performed
Under the supervision of DAN Managing Director and DNV Director:
DAN Investment Assessment: Screen potential investments for fit with DAN investment criteria, performing pitch deck review, company assessment, and general due diligence as necessary.
DAN Deal Management and Operations: Manage and track individual investment opportunities from initial screening to post-closing. Propose and implement process improvements, coordinating with team members for continuous streamlining of operational processes. Produce reports and presentations on investment performance, metrics, and various network initiatives. Communicate with DAN members regarding inbound operational questions and provide regular updates on active deals and portfolio companies.
DAN Process & Information Management: Coordinate data capture across various systems; design and implement efficient data management workflows as needed within DAN.
DAN Graduate Student Programs: Assist in coordination of DAN Associate Program including recruiting, training, and educating students entering the program. Cultivate community amongst the various student programs in venture investment and new venture development.
DAN and DNV Meetings and Events: Assist in coordinating various meetings with investors, startups, and entrepreneurs and provide follow up. Assist in creating events for attracting investors and for providing entrepreneurial education on campus.
DNV Portfolio Management: Assist the DNV Director in designing and implementing deal flow tools that lead to the greatest possible efficiency in launching Duke NewCos with high-quality executive management and institutional venture (or other appropriate) equity investment. Ensure that reasonable metrics are designed, tracked, and implemented so that the OTC, DNV, and start-up teams have access to data that maximizes the benefits of the program to the University, startups, and outside investors.
The work of DNV requires significant face-to-face interaction to ensure success, and the time the Senior Associate spends on DNV work will be primarily office-based with some limited travel required.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.
| Desired Skills: | Ideal candidate will have an MBA, JD or advanced degree in science with emphasis on venture capital, entrepreneurship, innovation and/or researchExperience in fund operations, investor relations, or other business operations is a plusStrategic thinker with strong business operations skillsExperience in financial modeling and intellectual property and company valuation.High level of initiative and motivation combined with exceptional ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneouslyForward thinker who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions with a sense of urgencyAttention to detail and follow-throughExcellent customer service, interpersonal, team work, written communication and organizational skills.Demonstrated clear, concise written communication. |
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Work requires a Bachelor’s degree
Experience
Work requires a minimum of three years of related business/administration experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
If interested, please apply here.
