Head of Platform in Pledge Ventures in London, England

Pledge Ventures is a unique, rules-based venture fund driven by a dual mission: generating strong returns for LPs and powering the impactful charitable work of Founders Pledge. We invest in a broad portfolio of high-growth technology companies (Series B+), whose founders are committed to philanthropy via Founders Pledge. We launched our first $53m fund in 2023, and have invested in around 30 (out of a likely 65+) portfolio companies to date, including companies like Lovable, Recogni, Bolt, and Cera.

We are looking for a Head of Platform to focus on solidifying our operations as we look ahead to the next stage of evolution for Pledge Ventures and subsequent funds. The Head of Platform will work alongside a small team, which currently includes a Managing Director, a Partner and an Analyst. This role is based in London with a flexible hybrid working model. We typically work 3 days a week in the office, with flexibility for remote work on other days.

About the role

As a pivotal member of the Pledge Ventures team, you'll join a small, fast-paced, and decisive environment in London, working closely with the Managing Director. This Head of Platform role is primarily focused on operational excellence, distinguishing Pledge Ventures from traditional VCs by its emphasis on streamlined processes and smooth stakeholder engagement.

Your immediate priority will be to ensure the seamless continuity and robust functioning of all business-as-usual operational elements and communications, specifically in finance and HR, ensuring our "house is in order" from day one.

Beyond this critical initial impact, you will strategically drive operational efficiency and contribute significantly to our long-term vision by:

• Elevating Core Operations: Overseeing financial operations for Pledge Ventures' UK entity with support from an outsourced virtual finance team; taking ownership of HR and people policies and procedures; and ensuring impeccable organizational governance, including managing board engagement, company legals, and supporting the MD with Shareholder and LP engagement.
• Championing Risk & Compliance: Collaborating closely with the MD to ensure that regulations and best practices on risk and compliance are consistently adhered to.
• Shaping External Presence: Leading on external communications and branding, enhancing our public presence through website and LinkedIn activity, and acting as a public face for Pledge Ventures to our LPs and portfolio companies over time.
• Driving Scalable Efficiency: Proactively identifying, designing, and implementing cutting-edge systems and processes that significantly improve operational efficiency across the organization, including leveraging AI tooling.
• Future-Proofing Portfolio Management: Streamlining LP reporting processes to enable scalable growth, ensuring we can effectively manage and support our expanding portfolio without a linear increase in team size for future funds.
• Fostering Seamless Partnerships: Collaborating closely with key partners, particularly the Founders Pledge team, to ensure integrated and smooth working practices.
• Providing Strategic Counsel: Serving as a trusted thought partner to the Managing Director, offering insights across the full spectrum of Pledge Ventures' activities.
• Supporting Fundraising & Investment: Providing essential support to the investment team and fundraising processes during peak periods as required.

We're seeking a unique individual who is excited by the challenge of shaping the operational backbone of a distinctive venture fund.

Qualities You'll Thrive In

• A Strategic Generalist: An enthusiastic generalist who embraces a broad range of activities and excels at building innovative solutions for new, evolving challenges.
• An Independent Decision-Maker: Possessing exceptional judgment, you can see the big picture, extrapolate, and draw sound conclusions with minimal input. You confidently make independent decisions and operate autonomously, reducing the need for constant oversight.
• An Operational Maestro: Equipped with world-class organizational skills, you have a proven ability to implement scalable systems that manage complexity, particularly in portfolio communications and LP reporting.
• Action-Oriented & Precise: You have a strong bias for action, consistently executing quickly and accurately.
• A Master Networker: You possess a robust professional network and a proven ability to identify and engage the right people or providers to support any challenge.
• An Influential Communicator: A strong communicator at all levels, adept at building impactful relationships across all stakeholder groups.
• Tech-Forward & Efficient: Quick to adopt new technologies, you constantly seek opportunities to leverage tools (including AI) for process and practice efficiencies.
• A Small Team Builder: Excited to join a small, dynamic team at a pivotal inflection point, eager to contribute significantly to the next stage of a young organization's journey.

Important Considerations

• VC Experience Not Required: You need not necessarily have prior experience working in Venture Capital, though a strong preference exists for candidates with previous experience in a regulated environment.
• Mission-Aligned: Most importantly, candidates must share our drive to create a fundamentally different type of venture fund that powers charitable work.
• Flexible Working: For the right candidate with significant experience, flexible working arrangements – including the potential to work 3 or 4 days a week – can be discussed.
• London Based: This role is based in London with a flexible hybrid working model, typically requiring 3 days a week in the office, with flexibility for remote work on other days, and occasional office presence as needed for collaboration.

Compensation

• Salary budgeted at up to £98,000
• Carried interest, subject to further discussion
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and dental cover