Investment Director, Technology

Help Us Find and Build the Next World-Changing Deeptech Companies

Location: U.K. based with some travel within the UK

IP Group exists to invest in and build outstanding businesses, based on ground-breaking scientific and technological innovations. Our portfolio companies make a positive impact on the environment and society alongside delivering an attractive financial return. The IP Group Technology division aims to “shape the future” by commercialising innovations in fields ranging from artificial intelligence to next generation communication networks, cybersecurity to augmented reality, and advanced materials to electronic engineering, across both hardware and software.

The existing Deeptech portfolio contains many exciting companies including the successful University of Cambridge spin-out Featurespace, ground-breaking hand tracking and mid-air haptics start-up Ultraleap and cybersecurity pioneer Garrison Technologies.

We are looking for an Investment Director with experience of developing technology in a commercial context who will help us identify great start-up business opportunities based on innovative technology, and then work with those companies to grow value, reach market and ultimately generate an outsized return on our capital.

Creating a diverse and inclusive working environment is central to IP Group’s culture. We believe that our people are likely to be happier and more engaged if they can be themselves at work.

THE ROLE

• Work with innovators and research-intensive institutions to identify technologies that have outstanding commercial potential.
• Assess a technology’s competitive positioning, evaluate its market potential and judge the investment opportunity.
• Develop robust business plans to support the development of an opportunity, identify commercial partners and milestones and source interest from investors.
• Lead the recruitment of key personnel into portfolio companies.
• Provide board-level guidance to the management teams of spin-out companies.
• Provide interim “hands‑on” management to spin‑out companies as required.
• Prepare due diligence documentation and liaise with professional advisors, build relationships and negotiate with potential investors, including VCs, business angels and government funding bodies.
• Assist with the day‑to‑day management of the IP Group Technology portfolio and contribute to the planning and implementing of divisional strategy.
• Shape and refine the Group’s investment hypothesis across a range of deep‑tech sectors.
• Contribute to IP Group’s thought leadership in the field of early‑stage technology investment.
• Develop personal theses on emerging technology trends to help guide the division’s decision making and to further enhance IP Group’s reputation as a pioneer of cutting‑edge technology commercialisation.
• Market IP Group throughout the academic, financial and commercial sectors whilst keeping abreast of technical and market developments.

THE CANDIDATE

• You practice growth mindset and believe in the value of team collaboration.
• A committed and responsible contributor who is open to adapt to an agile work environment.
• Commercial experience in technology‑based businesses including early‑stage investing and board oversight or working at a senior level with early‑stage technology companies.
• Exhibits an entrepreneurial flair; can think ‘outside the box’.
• Engineering, mathematics or science (STEM) graduate with a degree from a research‑intensive institution.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Investment case evaluation (scientific, commercial, IP, financial)
• Incubation Project Management (project management, executive management)
• Portfolio Non‑Executive Director
• Investment process (relationships, presentation, documentation, negotiation)
• Relevant work experience in early‑stage businesses.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Tech enthusiast with commercial and financial abilities
• An active listener with good inter‑personal skills
• Able to lead and influence team members across projects/ teams
• Keen attention to detail

WORKING AT IP GROUP

Aside from a competitive salary and a substantial bonus and equity package, other benefits for working at IP Group include:

• Generous employer’s pension contribution
• 25 days holiday plus public holidays and discretionary Christmas closed period in addition
• Life assurance and income protection
• Optional participation in Health, Dental and Travel insurance schemes for you and your family
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Access to curated Learning & Development, and wellbeing classes including Yoga, HIIT, and mindfulness classes

At IP Group, we are passionate about creating a diverse, inclusive, and flexible workforce. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and we welcome applications from people of all ethnicities, cultures, ages, genders, sexual orientation or living with a disability.