Director of Portfolio Operations (Venture Capital)

Overview

Responsibilities

• Design and implement operational playbooks that help portfolio companies standardize their internal processes and scaling efforts.
• Build and manage a network of vetted external vendors and consultants to support startup functions like legal, finance, and marketing.
• Advise founders on executive hiring and organizational design to ensure leadership teams are structured for rapid growth.
• Monitor the financial and operational performance of portfolio companies to provide the venture firm's partners with portfolio-wide health reports.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing communities and peer-to-peer networking events for founders within the venture fund's ecosystem.
• Lead post-investment onboarding to integrate new portfolio companies into the firm's support infrastructure and resources.
• Coordinate with the investment team to identify operational risks during the due diligence process for potential new deals.

Qualifications

• A minimum of ten years of experience in high-growth startup operations, management consulting, or venture capital.
• Demonstrated expertise in scaling business units and managing cross-functional teams within the technology sector.
• A deep understanding of the venture capital lifecycle and the specific challenges faced by founders at various funding stages.
• Advanced proficiency in financial modeling and operational data analysis to track business performance metrics.
• Strong relationship management skills with a proven ability to influence C-suite executives and board members.

Nice to have

• Prior experience as a founder or a member of an early-stage executive leadership team.
• An MBA or an equivalent advanced degree from a top-tier business school.
• An extensive network of service providers and talent recruiters within the global technology ecosystem.

Work environment

• Work is typically conducted in a professional office setting with frequent travel to portfolio company sites and industry conferences.
• The culture is highly collaborative, requiring constant interaction with investment partners, founders, and external service providers.
• Hours often extend beyond the standard work week to accommodate the urgent needs of startups in crisis or high-growth phases.
• The role relies heavily on CRM software, project management tools, and data visualization platforms to track portfolio progress.

Benefits & growth

• Compensation packages usually include a significant base salary and an annual performance-based bonus.
• Many roles offer participation in the firm's carried interest or a similar long-term equity incentive plan.
• Professional growth paths lead to Partner-level roles in portfolio operations or Chief Operating Officer positions at late-stage startups.
• The position provides high-level exposure to diverse industries and business models, facilitating broad professional expertise.