Principal - Venture Capital Investment

About Alumni Ventures

Alumni Ventures is a leading venture capital platform that manages over $1.4 billion in assets and has invested in more than 1,600 companies. Connecting over 850,000 accredited members and operating with 40+ dedicated investors, Alumni Ventures provides access to venture deals generally reserved for institutional investors through its alumni-driven communities and diversified co-investment strategy. The company has offices in Boston, New York, Chicago, Menlo Park, Manchester (NH), London, and Tokyo, and is focused on fostering entrepreneurial success and cultivating future VC professionals.

The company culture emphasizes in-office collaboration five days a week to enhance mentorship, teamwork, and momentum.

Position Overview

The Principal will be stationed at the New York City office, responsible for sourcing, assessing, and executing investments in promising startup companies. The role involves collaborating closely with a small investment team and the Managing Partner. This generalist investing position covers multiple sectors and stages, concentrating predominantly on Seed and Series A rounds, with some exposure to Pre-Seed and Growth-stage investments. The Principal will help build a portfolio comprising roughly 25 new investments annually, along with over 25 follow-on investments, directly influencing fund performance.

Investments are primarily executed as a co-investor, joining alongside lead firms rather than leading rounds. Building strong relationships with lead investors and company founders and providing active portfolio support are key responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish investment theses and proactively source quality deal leads aligned with firm initiatives.
• Convert sourced deals effectively into qualified investment opportunities.
• Lead initial due diligence including interactions with founders, customers, and market research.
• Analyze market trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging opportunities to inform investment decisions.
• Oversee successful investment execution from term sheet negotiation through to closing.
• Align investment activities with firm strategy to develop a high-performing, well-balanced portfolio.
• Expand and utilize a strong network of founders, venture capitalists, and industry experts to access top-tier deals.
• Enhance the firm's profile and reputation within startup and investment communities.
• Support fundraising efforts and investor relations through participation in events, webinars, and communications.
• Manage and support portfolio companies by advising management, monitoring performance, and providing strategic guidance.

Candidate Profile

• More than 7 years of experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, consulting, or startup environments.
• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Business, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines; an MBA or advanced degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to source and close deals independently, supported by a robust professional network in venture or startups.
• Extensive due diligence experience, including market sizing, competitor analysis, and reference checks leading to investment recommendations.
• Comfortable working autonomously within a dynamic, fast-paced small team.
• Practical experience leveraging AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, Gemini to optimize daily work processes.

Culture and Work Philosophy

• Prioritize teamwork and stakeholders; success is defined by value created for investors, founders, and colleagues.
• Exercise extreme ownership with a bias for action, moving swiftly and reliably.
• Engage in rigorous debate, embrace diverse perspectives, and once aligned, execute decisively as one team.
• Focus on high-impact activities, streamline efforts, and concentrate energy on distinct competitive advantages.
• Champion AI and emerging technologies to enhance decision-making and augment human judgment.
• Maintain curiosity and ambition; commit to continuous learning and creating long-term impact.

Benefits & Compensation

• Flexible, employee-centric benefits beginning shortly after hire.
• Comprehensive health insurance with various plan options including employer-funded deductible support and Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions.
• Dental and vision plans offering multiple coverage levels.
• Tax-advantaged accounts: HSA, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and commuter benefits including employer contributions.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching and immediate vesting.
• Company-funded life and disability insurance with options for supplemental coverage.
• Additional assistance programs such as Employee Assistance Program (EAP), health advocacy, and wellness resources.
• Unlimited, flexible paid time off plus generous parental leave.
• Eleven company holidays annually.

The expected base salary range for this role is $175,000 to $185,000 per year. Final compensation will consider experience, skills, and qualifications. Eligible employees may also receive equity, carried interest potential, corporate bonuses, and comprehensive benefits subject to respective plan terms.

Additional Information

Employment is conditional on successful completion of a background check. Alumni Ventures is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.