Portfolio Manager - Octopus Ventures

Company Description

With £1.5 billion under management and investing over £100m a year, Octopus Ventures is one of the largest and most active venture investors in Europe. Our typical investment is from £1 million for Seed to £20 million for Series B and we can continue to fund the companies we back right through to IPO.

Our investment team is built to specialise in the areas we believe will change the world for the better: health, fintech, B2B software, deep tech and consumer . We back ‘pioneers’ and use the term very deliberately to carve out that subset of entrepreneurs who are truly breaking new ground. Since 2008 we have backed nearly 120 teams, including Zoopla, Swiftkey, WaveOptics, Elvie, Bought by Many, Permutive, Quit Genius, Secret Escapes, graze.com and Cazoo.

Job Description

We’re seeking an experienced and proactive Portfolio Manager to join our Team. This role is pivotal in overseeing, optimising, and driving the performance of portfolio companies, with a focus on companies requiring strategic growth interventions, preparation for exit, operational or financial restructuring or other adjustments to strategy. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in enhancing portfolio value within the VC or relevant unquoted investment space.

Key Responsibilities:

• Portfolio Management: manage a diverse portfolio of venture investments, with an emphasis on driving value creation and enhancing and protecting the position of the fund’s investments.
• Value Maximization and Liquidity: Identify, recommend, and implement exit strategies for portfolio assets to maximise returns, coordinating with the funds’ investment operations and finance teams.
• Strategic Improvements: Work directly with portfolio companies’ management teams to identify performance gaps and implement strategic changes to enhance growth and profitability.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain active relationships with portfolio company boards, executives and stakeholders, offering guidance, resources and support for effective strategies. Octopus Ventures is normally a significant minority investor in portfolio companies.
• Investment Recommendations: Conduct in-depth analysis to support follow-on investment decisions, including preparing Investment Committee papers and being involved in related investments decisions.
• Market Analysis & Research: Keep abreast of industry trends, economic conditions, and competitive landscapes to inform and adjust portfolio strategies as needed.
• Reporting & Documentation: Prepare and input into regular reports on portfolio performance, highlighting key operational metrics, potential risks, and strategic recommendations for senior management and investors.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in unquoted investment portfolio management, turnaround management or driving operational performance (of investee companies), within venture capital, private equity, or a similar asset class.
• Strong analytical and financial skills, with a deep understanding of valuation, financial analysis, and operational performance metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead portfolio company management teams and Boards, especially from a perspective of being a minority investor.
• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with a history of successfully navigating challenges and improving the performance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to various stakeholders clearly and concisely.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt to the needs of portfolio companies across different stages of growth and industry sectors.

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work: Drive meaningful change and operational success in innovative companies within a supportive, growth-focused team.
• Career Development: Opportunity for growth and progression within a leading Venture Capital manager, with exposure to a wide range of investment sectors and types.
• This role is ideal for a candidate with a passion for enhancing company value and a knack for steering operational performance in exciting or challenging situations.
• For the right individual, this role can be either a full time or part time (4 days per week) opportunity.

What we offer

💰 A competitive salary, bonus, pension and share incentive plan
✈️ Untracked holiday
🏡 Hybrid working – three days in the office, two days from home
⚓ Anchor (our wellness hub) which includes Headspace, one to one coaching through Wellness Cloud, Digital GP, employee assistance program & more
👪 Up to 6 months paid parental leave regardless of gender
❤️ Life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection
🏥 Private medical insurance for you and your family
🚗 Electric vehicle leasing
🌍 The option to work overseas up to a month per year

Our Values 
At our core, we believe that how a company behaves is just as important as what it does. That’s why we chose to become an accredited B Corp (the equivalent of a Fairtrade coffee stamp but for companies) and to change our Articles of Association so that the interests all our stakeholders – employees, customers, communities, environment and shareholders – are considered in every decision we make.   

We are committed to building a workplace where diversity is valued, and inclusion is a priority. By providing equal opportunities for growth and development, we embrace and celebrate all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe teams achieve their best when every member feels safe, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves.

We're proud to be disability confident and are committed to supporting candidates with a disability, including neurodiversity and mental health conditions, throughout the recruitment process. Applicants are welcome to opt-in to the disability confident scheme as part of our application process. If you require any adjustments to the interview process, we’ll be happy to accommodate where possible.