Arizona Commerce Authority
Vice President, Venture Partnerships
Arizona Commerce Authority, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85003
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: recruit, grow, create – recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to grow their business in Arizona and beyond; and partner with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.ABOUT THE ROLE:The Venture Development & Innovation Strategy team delivers established programs and new initiatives to integrate and scale support for early-stage venture entrepreneurs and plays a leadership role in an ecosystem of innovators, disruptive technology ventures, investors, and service providers. Current programming includes a suite of venture accelerator programs, the Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC) business plan competition, and mentor, founder, and innovation ecosystem community management. The team routinely implements new programs, services, and digital tools to respond to the needs of Arizona’s startup community.The
Vice President of Venture Partnerships
will enhance engagement strategies with clients, inside and outside the ACA, empowering the team to do the same. This individual will be a key leader and change agent, committed to growing early-stage ventures, supporting founders, engaging start-up partners, and stoking a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
This is a hybrid position (3-5 days onsite per week) based in Phoenix, AZ.PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:Integrate and Scale: Manages oversight of programs and staff that support founders, technology innovation, and venture development to ensure accountability and continuous improvement, aligned with strategic priorities of the agency.Concierge Services: Creates custom solutions to serve, attract and grow startup companies in and out of Arizona.Stakeholder Engagement: Builds and maintains relationships with entrepreneurial mentors, ecosystem partners, service providers, investors, entrepreneurs, and startup founders.Cross Team Management: Facilitates seamless communication among cross-functional teams involved in supporting early-stage ventures, ensuring timely and effective solutions.Event Management: Works with marketing to uphold sponsorship obligations, staff and manage events that support ecosystem partners.Reporting and Documentation: Generate regular reports on milestones and performance indicators. Maintain accurate documentation of startup activity. Develop presentations for senior level leaders.Marketing & Communication: Finds and develops creative ways to market Arizona to founders and startups. Leverage multiple platforms including market research, networking events, social networking, trade shows/events/publications, cold calls, and e-mail campaigning to grow a pipeline of startups, investors and ecosystem partners.Work closely with the EVP of Venture Development & Innovation Strategy to identify potential and existing client needs to ensure we are delivering ecosystem expectations.Provide strong leadership in Arizona’s innovation ecosystem, representing the ACA as a partner and filling in for the EVP both internally and externally when necessary.Ability to work outside of regular business hours, e.g., nights, weekends; some overnight travel.COMPETENCY, EDUCATIONAL & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or a related field of study.Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in venture capital, startup ecosystem, or innovation-focused roles.Hands-on experience as a founder or in a startup environment, providing practical insights into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs.Experience should include the ability to develop and implement engagement strategies for founders and startup communities; fostering innovation and supporting early-stage ventures.Proven track record of developing and managing successful accelerator programs, innovation competitions, and/or mentorship initiatives.Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive change and implement new programs.Proven understanding of startup ecosystems, venture capital landscape, and emerging technologies.Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with founders, investors, and service providers; proven track record of building meaningful relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders.Strong business acumen and the ability to translate startup ideas into viable strategies.Experience in risk assessment and value proposition identification for early-stage ventures.Experience in managing and scaling digital tools and services for startup support.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders; highly collaborative team approach to work.Strong attention to detail and knowledge of project management skills and tools.Proficiency with MS Suite and web-based technologies; demonstrated familiarity of CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Dealum, and/or Morrow.HIGHLY PREFERRED SKILLS, ABILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS:Well-networked in the Arizona startup ecosystem and beyond a plus.Excellent analytical abilities; able to source, analyze and present data coherently.Experience with high-growth business environments including ability to roll-up sleeves and dig into the details of the work.Ability to take complex data and synthesize into executive-level communication.Familiarity with grant writing and grant management.Positive, self-motivated team player with an innate desire to help others.Enjoys technology and learning new software platforms and tools.Ability to effectively cope with change, can shift gears comfortably, can decide and act without having the total picture, comfortably handles risk and uncertainty.Ability to influence without authority, works well with individuals across diverse teams and cultures.
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Vice President of Venture Partnerships
will enhance engagement strategies with clients, inside and outside the ACA, empowering the team to do the same. This individual will be a key leader and change agent, committed to growing early-stage ventures, supporting founders, engaging start-up partners, and stoking a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
This is a hybrid position (3-5 days onsite per week) based in Phoenix, AZ.PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:Integrate and Scale: Manages oversight of programs and staff that support founders, technology innovation, and venture development to ensure accountability and continuous improvement, aligned with strategic priorities of the agency.Concierge Services: Creates custom solutions to serve, attract and grow startup companies in and out of Arizona.Stakeholder Engagement: Builds and maintains relationships with entrepreneurial mentors, ecosystem partners, service providers, investors, entrepreneurs, and startup founders.Cross Team Management: Facilitates seamless communication among cross-functional teams involved in supporting early-stage ventures, ensuring timely and effective solutions.Event Management: Works with marketing to uphold sponsorship obligations, staff and manage events that support ecosystem partners.Reporting and Documentation: Generate regular reports on milestones and performance indicators. Maintain accurate documentation of startup activity. Develop presentations for senior level leaders.Marketing & Communication: Finds and develops creative ways to market Arizona to founders and startups. Leverage multiple platforms including market research, networking events, social networking, trade shows/events/publications, cold calls, and e-mail campaigning to grow a pipeline of startups, investors and ecosystem partners.Work closely with the EVP of Venture Development & Innovation Strategy to identify potential and existing client needs to ensure we are delivering ecosystem expectations.Provide strong leadership in Arizona’s innovation ecosystem, representing the ACA as a partner and filling in for the EVP both internally and externally when necessary.Ability to work outside of regular business hours, e.g., nights, weekends; some overnight travel.COMPETENCY, EDUCATIONAL & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or a related field of study.Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in venture capital, startup ecosystem, or innovation-focused roles.Hands-on experience as a founder or in a startup environment, providing practical insights into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs.Experience should include the ability to develop and implement engagement strategies for founders and startup communities; fostering innovation and supporting early-stage ventures.Proven track record of developing and managing successful accelerator programs, innovation competitions, and/or mentorship initiatives.Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive change and implement new programs.Proven understanding of startup ecosystems, venture capital landscape, and emerging technologies.Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with founders, investors, and service providers; proven track record of building meaningful relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders.Strong business acumen and the ability to translate startup ideas into viable strategies.Experience in risk assessment and value proposition identification for early-stage ventures.Experience in managing and scaling digital tools and services for startup support.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders; highly collaborative team approach to work.Strong attention to detail and knowledge of project management skills and tools.Proficiency with MS Suite and web-based technologies; demonstrated familiarity of CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Dealum, and/or Morrow.HIGHLY PREFERRED SKILLS, ABILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS:Well-networked in the Arizona startup ecosystem and beyond a plus.Excellent analytical abilities; able to source, analyze and present data coherently.Experience with high-growth business environments including ability to roll-up sleeves and dig into the details of the work.Ability to take complex data and synthesize into executive-level communication.Familiarity with grant writing and grant management.Positive, self-motivated team player with an innate desire to help others.Enjoys technology and learning new software platforms and tools.Ability to effectively cope with change, can shift gears comfortably, can decide and act without having the total picture, comfortably handles risk and uncertainty.Ability to influence without authority, works well with individuals across diverse teams and cultures.
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