Director - Venture Products

NJEDA•Trenton, NJ

18h•$126,400 - $134,300•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the NJEDA and help lead New Jersey to sustainable economic growth, fostering equitable opportunities and vibrant communities. We offer hybrid work, a supportive culture, and robust benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and extensive wellness programs. Make a tangible impact and shape New Jersey's future with innovative economic development at NJEDA. Manage a suite of active venture capital programs. Programs include but are not limited to NJ Innovation Evergreen Fund (direct co-investment platform), New Jersey Founders and Funders (a periodic innovation ecosystem building event). This responsibility also includes making changes to programs or designing new programs from time to time. This includes active interaction with both VC fund managers and portfolio companies. Manage the Venture department’s active external outreach and relationship building. This includes attending external events and webinars and presenting the NJEDA’s programmatic offerings, also building closer relationships with the states Strategic Innovation Centers as these centers become more active and start to generate an increasing number of startups. Manage and provide guidance, mentorship, and developmental opportunities to the Venture department staff. Ensure continuity / backup in program staffing.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of venture capital/alternatives fund investment and management.
Deep experience in fund governance and advisory board level oversight to monitor investments.
Exceptional analytical skills with a keen focus on details; ability to create presentations to depict data in a clean, intelligible way for executive leadership.
Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with a broad range of audiences including senior management, business and industry partners, as well as individual customers and prospects. strong preference for individuals who have an existing network within the industry both in New Jersey and nationally.
Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a team of senior professionals through complex challenges, ensuring effective planning, execution, and a strong focus on results.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; proficient in grammar, spelling, and editing and foster communications with business professionals and EDA staff.
10+ years of practical business experience in a capital-intensive industry or similar role, with significant exposure and credibility, and a minimum of seven years in a client-oriented environment requiring the development and engagement of a broad professional network.
Minimum of five years management/supervisory experience.
Extensive experience in program and public policy development, along with a strong understanding of basic financial principles and the investment and capital markets industry. Proven expertise in advising new and emerging businesses on capital raising, including angel and VC investments, with a demonstrated ability to analyze and understand emerging business models.
Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in a relevant field such as business, investment or finance
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly MS Excel, and the ability to learn new software packages.
NJEDA utilizes Microsoft as the core application platform and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite is preferred.
Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.
Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011, to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website.
Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience
strong preference for individuals who have an existing network within the industry both in New Jersey and nationally.

Responsibilities

Leading a dynamic team in executing initiatives that advance New Jersey’s economic growth agenda.
Providing expert guidance on venture capital and angel investor programs, offering strategic counsel to executive leadership and stakeholders on capital market dynamics.
Acting as a liaison with investment panels, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and competitor strategies.
Shaping and leading the Authority’s policy, advocacy and program management efforts related to all capital investment programs including venture capital and angel investing.
Execute and expand the existing portfolio of capital investment products to increase funding available to New Jersey businesses.
Oversee the administration of angel and VC capital programs, ensuring they align with state goals.
Lead the creation and implementation of innovative programs to enhance New Jersey’s economic growth through strategic capital investment.
Conduct research and analysis to inform and refine program strategies and decision-making processes.
Effectively lead and manage a team to implement initiatives that drive New Jersey’s economic growth.
Enhance the capital investment portfolio to increase funding for New Jersey businesses.
Regularly communicate industry insights to internal and external stakeholders:
Foster robust relationships with private sector entities, government agencies, and academia.
Collaborate cross-organizational to ensure effective communication of initiatives and messaging.
Work closely with legal and strategic affairs teams to evaluate program performance and compliance.
Represent the organization at relevant industry forums and boards.
Ability to prioritize workload, must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision.
Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.