Chief of Ventures

Acumen is seeking a Chief of Ventures in New York City to focus on managing and growing Acumen’s diverse investment portfolio, which is projected to exceed $700 million in the next two years. This leader will support both the impact funds and philanthropically backed investments, ensuring alignment with Acumen’s mission to address poverty through innovative business solutions.

This search is run in partnership with Bridge Partners. You can view the search here.
Please apply to this role by directly emailing [email protected]

About Acumen 
Acumen invests in companies, leaders, and ideas to tackle poverty. With $260 million invested in 201 early-stage companies across Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and the US, Acumen has positively impacted over 650 million lives.The organization invests in entrepreneurs with the vision, resolve, grit and experience to build pioneering companies that focus on breaking cycles of poverty. Acumen is working toward a world where every individual can live with dignity. Founded by Jacqueline Novogratz in 2001, Acumen believes in the power of markets and resolute leaders combined with patient capital to solve big problems of poverty.  Acumen manages a growing investment portfolio, combining impact funds and philanthropically backed patient capital.

About the role
The Chief of Ventures is a pivotal role, focused on managing and growing Acumen’s diverse investment portfolio, which is projected to exceed $700 million in the next two years. This leader will support both the impact funds and philanthropically backed investments, ensuring alignment with Acumen’s mission to address poverty through innovative business solutions.Key responsibilities include overseeing financial assets, enhancing investment performance, facilitating collaboration amongst managing directors, and implementing strategic initiatives.  The Chief of Ventures will also play a crucial role in mentoring fund managers, driving portfolio management activities, and contributing to the development of Acumen’s investment philosophy. The role requires 15+ years of investment experience that includes geographical proximity to the regions where Acumen invests, preferably in venture capital or private equity, with a strong emphasis on ethical leadership, creative financial strategies, and cross-cultural collaboration.

The Chief of Ventures will serve, manage and grow Acumen’s investment portfolio, including the Pioneer portfolio and sponsored impact funds. They will support the managing directors in demonstrating the impact of strategic investments on poverty alleviation and collaborate with teams across legal, finance, talent, insights, impact, and fundraising to ensure robust portfolio management and meaningful change. 

 Sponsored Funds:

• Be the conduit to the global organization for all services provided by Acumen (branding, back office, fundraising, sector knowledge).
• Lead operational and strategic initiatives to enhance investment performance and provide strategic counsel, coaching, and mentoring to Managing Directors.
• Analyze, monitor, and manage Acumen’s limited partnership investments and collaborate on fund performance reporting.
• Evaluate the performance of sponsored fund management teams and participate in oversight committees.
• Mentor fund managers and ensure adherence to Acumen’s investment principles.
• Be the investor voice on the management committee and a steward and fiduciary for Acumen’s commitments to various entities.
• Act as an observer, in partnership with the General Counsel, of select LPACs.

 Pioneer Portfolio:

• Support Regional Directors managing a portfolio of 117 companies valued at $67 million, with $25 million available for deployment.
• Develop and execute investment strategies addressing regional poverty issues while aligning with Acumen’s global mission and investing principles.
• Oversee global portfolio activities, including annual and mid-year reviews, and ensure comprehensive data management.
• Provide technical expertise, coaching, and thought partnership to portfolio teams, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
• Implement training on governance, strategic finance, and impact measurement, and manage the TA grant process.
• Oversee fund disbursement and reporting, serve on portfolio company boards, and provide strategic and technical guidance to entrepreneurs.
• Ensure proper onboarding of Investment Committee members and utilize data analytics to inform investment decisions.
• Be the conduit between the Regional Directors and the Sponsored funds, connecting our patient capital investing with later stage opportunities in each of the funds

 General:

• Develop a dashboard for real-time performance metrics to compare portfolio performance across asset categories.
• Stay updated on industry trends. Refine Acumen’s fund management and operational strategies.
• Contribute to the development of Acumen’s investment philosophy and strategic direction.

The Leader:
Highly qualified candidates will share Acumen’s commitment to its mission and investment principles, and will embody the organization’s core values.  Successful candidates will additionally bring a range of skills and experiences including (but not limited to):

• 15+ years in the investment sector, with at least 10 years in venture capital or private equity.
  • Prior experience investing or managing assets for impact would be beneficial,
  • Alignment with, and a passion for, Acumen’s mission, investment principles and values is critical.
  • Demonstrable experience overseeing the full investment lifecycle, including deal sourcing, structuring, documentation, support throughout the investment duration, and executing on exit strategies.
  • Evidence of strategic business acumen and a solutions-oriented approach to addressing poverty through business strategies is essential.
  • Creative financial acumen to support innovative fund structures and advocate for financial system changes.
  • Operational excellence in documentation, data analytics, and reporting.
• Lived or professional experience gained in geographical proximity to the regions where Acumen invests, specifically Africa and/or India is strongly preferred.
• Clear and principled communication.
• Collaborative leadership across functions and regions, with a solutions-oriented mindset. Able to leverage influence across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and cross-cultural skills.

Compensation: 

• Acumen offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment.
• For this position, the base salary range is $250,000 to $300,000 plus an annual bonus. Internal equity considerations and the average salary of the peer range will be reviewed before making a final offer. 

 Location, Travel & Eligibility:

• Based in New York City
• Three (3) days a week in the office required (Tues, Wed, Thurs)
• 10-20% travel to connect with global teams
• Legally authorized to work in the US

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This search is run in partnership with Bridge Partners. Their posting is here. 
Please apply to this role by directly emailing [email protected]