Investment Associate

Investment Associate

Investments and New Ventures Team

Ref: 260

• Join the UK's leading Technology Transfer Office.
• Help support the growth of new companies across a wide range of domains.
• A varied role with exposure to fundraising, company formation and portfolio management.

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, start-up, and social enterprises. There will be a focus on start-up companies in the OUI Incubator.
• Assisting in the management of the portfolio of OUI’s shareholding in start-up 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 using this link application form and send it together with a copy of your CV and cover letter to Roy Bennett at [email protected] stating your preferred pronouns.

Feel free to contact Roy via his email to set up an informal chat before submission.

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 at midday.

The salary for this role is commensurate with experience and will be in the range of

£32,000 – £37,000 per annum with great benefits including 30 days holiday + 8 bank holidays, hybrid working, rewards scheme, generous pension contributions and private healthcare.

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.