Senior Venture Associate - Manchester

4 months ago
Full time role
In-person · Manchester, England, GB... more

Senior Venture Associate - Manchester

A career with purpose

Join our growing Manchester team, to develop solutions for resource and sustainability challenges. Our team progresses climate tech/net zero technology and commercial sustainability, through venture development, start-up/SME programmes, accelerators, special projects, and corporate innovation programmes.

The role

This new role focuses on working with Greater Manchester (GM) stakeholders to shape the future of Education and Industry, aligned with GM’s industrial strategy and Innovation Plan. The role will evolve, providing venture support expertise regionally and nationally, as part of our Venture Support team.

We seek detail-oriented individuals with great interpersonal skills who can manage multiple tasks and build strong relationships. Experience in research, education, and training, particularly in green jobs/skills, and programme management is valued. An interest in sustainability, clean-tech, climate-tech, or net zero is essential. Experience in building and scaling a business is a plus.

Your key responsibilities

Research

  • Identify emerging trends, technologies, and practices in climate-tech/net zero.
  • Understand skill sets needed for the regional climate-tech/net zero industries.
  • Collaborate with industry experts, academic institutions, and government bodies.

Programme Management

  • Support start-up, SME, and partner identification and management in GM.
  • Develop and deliver training programmes enhancing climate-tech/net zero skills.
  • Manage administrative tasks and create impact reports, ensuring high-quality, timely delivery.

Delivery Support

  • Disseminate knowledge and best practices through workshops, presentations, and publications.
  • Provide advisory support to SMEs on business plans, investor pitch packs, and market strategies.
  • Prepare and present webinars and workshops on various business topics.

Requirements

We expect you to have:

  • 5+ years’ relevant experience, with a background in high-growth startups, investment, or entrepreneurship.
  • Proven organisational skills for managing multiple projects and deadlines.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for dealing with diverse stakeholders.
  • Ability to take ownership of work, demonstrate self-starting capabilities, and complete tasks on time and budget.
  • Knowledge of or passion for the sustainability sector.

Desirable:

  • Degree in business, technology, or sustainability-related field.
  • Postgraduate qualification in business, economics, technology, or sustainability
  • DBS and safeguarding clearance.
  • Experience in business support programme management, venture. development, or sustainability innovation.
  • Commercial skills in business planning, financial modelling, product R&D, market analysis, customer proposition testing, and fundraising.

Benefits

Additional details:

  • Hours: 40 per week, flexible working (minimum 3 days in the office).
  • Remuneration: £42,000 - £48,000 depending on experience.
  • Location: Split between Oldham College, No 1. Circle Square, and SV’s workspace within the ID Manchester regeneration scheme.

Benefits include:

  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
  • Monthly wellness day.
  • Paid sick leave + private health insurance.
  • Enhanced pension scheme.
  • Cycle to work scheme + Octopus EV lease scheme.
  • Discounts on sustainable brands.
  • Monthly Lunch & Learns.
  • Learning & Development allowance.
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave after 2 years’ service.
  • Monthly sabbatical every 5 years of service.

Diversity

Our people are the heart of Sustainable Ventures. We’re an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves at work. The climate crisis is a social and inclusion issue, and we especially encourage applications from individuals underrepresented in the climate space. We welcome applicants with diverse experiences. We also welcome applicants who may have different experiences to those exactly specified in the application. 

About Sustainable Ventures

We’re Europe’s largest ecosystem of climate tech startups. Our mission is to develop 1000 new businesses by 2025, addressing climate change and resource scarcity since 2011 through commercial innovation. Read more about our live programmes here. 

Application instructions

Applications considered on a rolling basis.

Recruitment process

  • 30 min phone screening interview.
  • Two-stage, in-person interview and exercise related to the role.