Principal - Expression of Interest

About the Company

Alumni Ventures is a large and active venture capital platform with more than $1.4B in assets raised and investments across 1,600+ companies. Its community of 850,000+ members and 40+ dedicated investors connects accredited individuals to venture opportunities that are usually limited to institutions, using alumni-led communities and a diversified co-investment approach. The company has offices in Boston, New York, Chicago, Menlo Park, Manchester, London, and Tokyo, and continues to expand while supporting entrepreneurial growth and developing future VC leaders.

Alumni Ventures follows a 5-day-per-week in-office model because close collaboration, mentorship, and shared pace are considered essential to the way the team works.

Role Overview

This Principal opportunity is an expression of interest for future openings across Alumni Ventures rather than a live requisition tied to one specific team. The company regularly reviews applicants for Principal-level roles in New York City, Boston, Manchester, Chicago, and Menlo Park, and may reach out when a relevant opening matches a candidate’s background.

As a Principal, you would help source, assess, and execute investments for one of the firm’s investing teams while also contributing more broadly across the platform. The role is a generalist, T-shaped investing position that spans multiple sectors and stages, with room to build your own themes and areas of specialization. The core focus is Seed and Series A, with selective involvement in Pre-Seed and Growth-stage opportunities. The role supports a portfolio of about 25 investments per year, including follow-on decisions, portfolio quality, and the firm’s standing in the venture ecosystem.

You would work closely with the Managing Partner, Senior Associates, and the wider team to identify strong companies, lead diligence and negotiation work, and build trusted relationships with founders, co-investors, and other industry contacts. Strong network-building, investment judgment, curiosity, creativity, warmth, and disciplined decision-making are central to success.

Key Responsibilities

• Originate promising investment opportunities that fit the team’s strategy and broader firm priorities.
• Improve the conversion of sourced leads into qualified investment opportunities.
• Run early-stage diligence by speaking directly with founders and customers and reviewing relevant market information.
• Assess market direction, competitive dynamics, and emerging trends to inform investment decisions.
• Help carry approved deals through term sheet, negotiation, and closing.
• Stay closely aligned with the firm’s investment approach to support a balanced, high-performing portfolio.
• Build and maintain a strong network of founders, investors, and sector experts to support deal flow.
• Increase the firm’s visibility and influence in the venture ecosystem through relationships and engagement.
• Support fundraising, investor relations, and community-building efforts, including events, webinars, and thought leadership.
• Assist portfolio companies with growth support, performance monitoring, CEO check-ins, and strategic guidance.

Candidate Profile

The firm is looking for professionals with at least 7 years of experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, consulting, or high-growth startups. A bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field is required, while an MBA or another advanced degree is preferred.

Candidates should also be comfortable using modern AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or similar systems to improve research, analysis, communication, and daily productivity.

What to Expect

Because this role is being collected as an expression of interest, applications are reviewed continuously. If your experience fits a current or future Principal-level opening, the team will reach out to discuss next steps.

Culture and Ways of Working

• Prioritize the team and all stakeholders, and measure success by the value created for investors, founders, and colleagues.
• Act with ownership and urgency, taking initiative and following through reliably.
• Encourage strong debate, then align and execute as one team once a decision is made.
• Focus energy on the highest-impact work and simplify wherever possible.
• Use AI and technology proactively to improve decision-making and productivity while keeping human judgment central.
• Remain curious, ambitious, and committed to continuous learning and long-term impact.

Benefits and Perks

• Health coverage with multiple plan options, including employer-funded deductible support and HSA contributions.
• Dental and vision plans with several coverage levels.
• Tax-advantaged savings and commuting benefits, including HSA, FSA, and commuter support with a monthly employer contribution.
• 401(k) plan with company match and immediate vesting.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance, plus optional supplemental coverage.
• Employee support offerings such as EAP, health advocacy, and wellness resources.
• Flexible unlimited PTO and generous paid parental leave.
• 11 company holidays.

Compensation

The starting base salary is $175,000, with additional upside through equity, carry potential, and a corporate bonus.

Privacy, Eligibility, and Other Conditions

Employment is contingent on successfully completing a background check. Alumni Ventures is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.