Investment Associate
Investment Associate
Investments and New Ventures Team
Permanent role
Ref: 260
With one foot in academia and the other in industry, Oxford University Innovation’s professionals undertake a wide variety of tasks, from licensing university ideas, consultancy and finding investment for spinout companies, to setting up social enterprises and supporting student entrepreneurship. The Investments and New Ventures team (OUI-INV) acts as the growth catalyst for companies emerging from Oxford University through early-stage investment and support. The main responsibilities of the team include translational funding, supporting new company formation, fundraising, fund management and portfolio management. The team manages the shareholdings in over 200 companies created by the University of Oxford, valued at over £200m.
The Opportunity
We now have a unique opportunity for a dynamic and motivated Investment Associate to join our team. Reporting to the Head of Investments and New Ventures, the successful candidate will demonstrate knowledge and enthusiasm for university innovation. They will possess the right skills to deploy early-stage investments that will help our companies flourish. The successful candidate will have a business, economics or relevant science degree (or equivalent), and ideally have experience of working in a financial or business environment.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
- Supporting the management of the translational funds. These funds include the University Challenge Seed Fund and the Parkwalk University of Oxford Innovation Fund.
- Supporting the identification of early-stage investors. Activities will include liaising with investors, supporting companies seeking funding, attending investor events, and identifying new partner organisations.
- Assisting the OUI-INV team in the co-ordinating of the first round of investments into spinout, startup, and social enterprises. There will be a focus on startup companies in the OUI Incubator.
- Assisting in the management of the portfolio of OUI’s shareholding in startup companies.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate proven competence in the following:
- Early-stage investment – an interest in the UK early-stage investment market.
- Communication – a team player with excellent interpersonal skills and strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
- Relationship with others – the ability to contribute to the OUIINV team.
- Data management – effectively manages data and possess high levels of attention to detail in all areas of their work.
- Self-starter – the ability to use your initiative to find solutions to problems.
- Commercial analysis – make considered decisions that demonstrate good analysis of the key issues.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for this role, please download the application form from the OUI website and send it together with a copy of your CV and cover letter to Roy Bennett at roy@adlib-recruitment.co.uk Information about our culture and working life at OUI can be found here https://innovation.ox.ac.uk/about/careers/
The closing date is midday on Monday 13th January 2025
The salary for this role is commensurate with experience and will be in the range of £32,000 – £37,000
Oxford University is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves and is empowered to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
Oxford University Innovation is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a supportive working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff are respected and where everyone is able to be themselves and is empowered to reach their full potential. This commitment is linked to and reinforces the OUI values of integrity, collaboration and empowerment. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures.
Our approach to hybrid and flexible working:
We believe that our employees are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to attracting and retaining the very best talent. We also appreciate that the UK workforce is becoming increasingly diverse and includes a high percentage of parents and individuals with caring responsibilities, as well as those whose interests and aspirations impact on their time.
We recognise the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home lives by offering flexible working arrangements that enable them to balance their work commitments with other priorities. This includes hybrid working and flexible working.
We are accredited with the Investors in People Silver status.
