Director, Venture Capital and Impact Investing

ABOUT US

Housed at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, the Sorenson Impact Institute advances global impact through innovation in impact investing and finance, public policy, and corporate and social sector behavior. In addition to guiding capital allocation, we utilize world-class data science and impact storytelling as key tools in this effort. As part of our mission to train future impact leaders, the Institute integrates academic programming and experiential learning into each of its practice areas, including through our innovative Venture Capital & Impact Investing program which provides students from all backgrounds with deep, hands-on experience participating in all phases of the venture capital investment process. To further our mission and facilitate collaboration in the impact ecosystem, the Institute also hosts the annual Sorenson Impact Summit.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Sorenson Impact Institute’s Venture Capital & Impact Investing team seeks a Director to join our Salt Lake City-based, venture investing and student training program. The Director will be primarily responsible for managing the Joan and Tim Fenton Founders Fund, an early-stage venture fund housed within the Impact Investing program that is focused on catalyzing innovation in the Utah tech ecosystem. We’re seeking a team member with 7+ years of experience in venture or related fields and a commitment to training and mentoring students. The right candidate is a leader and a teacher – entrepreneurial, bold, creative, and can excel in a fast-paced, startup environment.

The Director will play a leadership role on the team and report to the program’s Managing Director. With a primary focus on the Joan and Tim Fenton Founders Fund, the Director will source new investments, lead due diligence, structure deal terms, and close investments - all while training and mentoring student interns. 

The ideal candidate is a seasoned investment professional with experience across the lifecycle of an investment and a fund. This includes fundraising and portfolio construction; sourcing, underwriting, and executing new investments; and running portfolio operations. Candidates should have a strong commitment to impact and bring an entrepreneurial and innovative approach to the role. The Director should also have a passion for teaching and mentoring, as training and inspiring the next generation of venture capital and impact investing professionals is core to our work. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Mentor and Train Student Interns

• Mentor student interns as they gain exposure and experience in venture capital and impact investing
• Teach underwriting and due diligence processes to a rotating group of student interns
• Contribute to recruitment and training activities for new student interns

Early-stage Venture Investing

• Identify, maintain, and prioritize a pipeline of early-stage venture investment opportunities for the Joan and Tim Fenton Founders Fund 
• Conduct comprehensive due diligence and investment analysis 
• Oversee preparation and presentation of investment opportunity materials to the Joan and Tim Fenton Founders Fund Investment Committee 

Portfolio Management

• Lead strategic initiatives to improve investment thesis and portfolio construction
• Develop and maintain relationships with portfolio companies 
• Track performance for annual reporting and provide support as needed

Portfolio Operations

• Manage quarterly and annual financial reporting
• Liaise with service providers for audit, taxes, insurance, etc. 
• Relationship Development and Management
• Build and maintain a network with investment professionals at other VC firms 
• Support fundraising and strategic partnership initiatives

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree
• 7+ years of transactional experience in venture capital, private equity, or investment management; or 7+ years in relevant non-finance fields, including financial or operational experience in early-stage businesses or fund management, if the candidate has at least 3 years of transactional deal experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description. 

PREFERENCES

• Experience across equity and debt investing
• Masters degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field
• Mentorship or teaching experience 
• Demonstrated leadership experience 
• Ability to collaborate and function effectively on a highly motivated and entrepreneurial team