Sector Director

Job Description

We are seeking a Sector Director who will be responsible for making 10 investments a year via the newly launched hub and delivering a 6 month operational program for each startup. You will be responsible for managing a squad of Founders Factory operators to help our portfolio companies develop their technology, chart a path to find product-market fit and scale to Series A.

You will need to have extensive experience building companies and be able to give entrepreneurs in the program strong strategic advice.  A big part of this role will also be making investment decisions and ensuring the portfolio has outstanding founders building novel technologies.

As the Sector Director, you will set the strategic direction and investment profile within this vertical and have overall ownership of this new sector to ensure the exceptional delivery of our program. For the right person, this is an incredible opportunity to launch this sector with a proven playbook delivering the best possible experience for our Founders and to work closely with our partners.

As our Sector Director, you will:

• Select and close investments in 10 startups a year for the program, including management of the Investment Committee process
• Provide partner engagement & an experienced perspective for founders as we build ventures in the Studio
• Design and manage the accelerator and growth programs for the startups
• Organize and lead the Founders Factory accelerator squads to drive successful outcomes for the portfolio companies
• Manage our investors and corporate partners,  ensuring access to unfair advantage for the portfolio companies and innovation opportunities for our partners
• Lead Founders Factory’s ongoing engagement with investors / corporate partners to align on strategic investment themes and update on portfolio performance through quarterly Board reports

Requirements:

• Previous experience as a founder, early stage investor and/or experience within in high growth startups in digital/tech businesses
• Previous experience hiring and retaining a world class team with the ability to lead and attract a credible team
• Experience building technology products, commercializing technology, and bringing a company to life
• 10+ years of experience in a leadership capacity within your own startup or in a high growth company
• Investment experience in pre-seed startups
• Speaking Italian or having lived in Italy previously is preferred however not a must

Qualities you need to be successful in this role:

• Has an ability to connect, empathize and collaborate with top tier founder talent
• Deals comfortably with the uncertainty of change and complex problems, effectively handles risk and can make a decision with incomplete information
• Operates effectively, is calm under pressure and productive with multiple plates spinning or when the future is unclear
• Have a strong bias for action and persists in accomplishing objectives despite setbacks
• Has an approach to management that involves trusting other people, removing roadblocks
• Able to understand the perspective of others and evaluate their own thinking whilst looking for feedback and continuously improve
• Ability to work across geographies, time zones and multi-functional teams.

Why work with us:

We are guided by a set of core values that shape the way that we think and act. We hold ourselves accountable to these, and measure ourselves against them. We are looking for candidates that share these principles and can help Founders Factory to thrive:

- Think big, act small, move fast

- Value momentum over perfection

- Embrace uncertainty and remain decisive

- Suggest solutions, not problems.

- Prioritize diversity to strengthen our collective intelligence

- Be polite, generous and show empathy to others, always

Benefits:

Hybrid environment: flexible working in a fast paced environment with some travel to London

Remote working Opportunities: Up to 5 weeks working abroad allowance each year

Autonomy: Freedom to execute and build businesses, not just products. We encourage risk taking here.

Health and Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance, quarterly mental health days

Growth: Work with and meet exceptional talent. Learn faster than you ever have before. Access our large network of investors and customers.

Perks: Monthly team events, discounts across our entire portfolio

Founders Factory is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where people can authentically be themselves and are free to challenge, take risks and think creatively. We recruit, develop, compensate and promote our team members based on merit. We know how important it is not only to include, but to actively seek out diversity of thought and experiences.

‍