Head of Ventures

Our client is a fast-growing, independent communications agency that partners with ambitious, scaling technology-led businesses to build reputation, accelerate growth and stand out in competitive markets. Working with high-growth start-ups, scale-ups and established innovators, the agency delivers integrated communications programmes spanning PR, content, thought leadership and campaign activity. The agency is now investing in expanding its venture capital and start-up offering and looking to hire a Senior VC comms expert to head up this division and help it grow.

Our client is seeking to hire a Head of Ventures to lead and grow its venture capital and start-up practice. This is a senior leadership role responsible for developing the agency’s VC proposition, strengthening relationships with investment firms, and driving growth across the VC and portco specialism. The role combines commercial leadership, strategic client counsel and team development, and will play a key part in shaping the agency’s future growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and growing the agency’s venture capital and start-up offering.
• Building and managing senior relationships with VC firms, accelerators and ecosystem partners.
• Developing tailored communications programmes for VC funds and portfolio companies.
• Acting as senior strategic adviser to founders and investors on reputation, positioning and growth communications.
• Identifying and converting new business opportunities across VC portfolios.
• Working with investment teams to support portfolio-wide communications initiatives.
• Overseeing integrated campaigns across PR, content, thought leadership and executive profiling.
• Contributing to overall agency new business strategy and pitch activity.
• Owning commercial performance of venture-focused accounts, including forecasting and growth planning.
• Leading and developing team members working across venture and start-up clients.
• Managing team growth and recruitment for the division.
• Owning strategy and execution around division marketing initiatives and budgets.
• Ensuring consistently high standards of strategic thinking and execution across all programmes.
• Representing the agency within the venture and start-up ecosystem through events, partnerships and thought leadership.

Requirements:

• Significant experience in PR and communications, ideally with strong exposure to start-ups, scale-ups or venture capital environments.
• A strong network across founders, investors and the wider tech ecosystem.
• Proven ability to build and grow client relationships and revenue streams or experience working in-house at a VC or venture-backed business.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders on positioning, narrative and reputation.
• Strong understanding of the growth challenges faced by early- and growth-stage companies.
• Experience leading integrated communications programmes and multi-account teams.
• Commercial acumen, including forecasting, budgeting and account growth.
• Excellent communication, presentation and storytelling skills.
• A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset and comfort operating in high-growth environments.
• Strong leadership and people management capability.

Here at Sapio Consulting we are not only proud to be equal opportunity employers in our own right but are also committed to and in the privileged position of being able to support each and every one of our clients and partners in their Diversity & Inclusion objectives and initiatives. Our clients are equal opportunity employers and on their behalf we welcome candidates, applicants or prospective applicants regardless of Age, Disability, Neurodiversity, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender identity or expression, Marriage or Civil Partnership or Partnership status, Pregnancy and Maternity or Parental status, Race, Religion or Beliefs, and Political Opinion.