Job Drop 005

Week of 7/30/23 // Platform & Venture Ops, Weekly Jobs Roundup

6-MONTH OPP (AUG-DEC) // Operations Associate @ Techstars // 1-3 yrs exp // LA // $2.6-$2.8K/mo

Platform Manager @ Framework Ventures // 2+ yrs exp // SF // $110-$130K

Business Operations Analyst @ Fife Elms Capital // Kansas City, MI

Platform Associate @ BBG Ventures // 3+ yrs exp // NYC/Hybrid // $80-$95K

Venture Operations Specialist @ sequel // 3+ yrs exp // Miami

Fund Operations Associate @ Scrum Ventures // 3+ yrs exp // SF or Tokyo

Partnerships / Corporate Development @ FirstMark Capital

Executive Assistant /Operations Manager to GP @ [undisclosed early-stage VC fund] // 5+ yrs exp // NYC

Director of Business Operations @ Playground Global // 5+ yrs exp // Boston

Senior Business Intelligence Analyst @ Techstars // 5+ yrs exp // Boulder // $125-$145K

Events Manager (West) @ ICONIQ Capital // 5-7 yrs exp // SF // $130-$145K

Senior Associate / Associate Vice President, Sector Lead – Transmission & Distribution @ Energy Impact Partners // 5-8 yrs exp // Atlanta

Senior Associate / Associate Vice President, Sector Lead – Cybersecurity & Digital Transformation @ Energy Impact Partners // 5-10 yrs exp // NYC // $125-150K

Business Analyst, Platform Operations @ Brookfield Asset Management // 5-10 yrs exp // NYC // $100-$130K

Managing Director - Workforce Development Accelerator @ Techstars // 10+ yrs exp // Denver // $175-$185K

Vice President - Sales Operations, Business Management @ Brookfield Asset Managament // 10+ yrs exp // NYC // $140-$180K

Director of Web Strategy & Operations @ New York Life Investments // 10+ yrs exp // NYC // $145-$215K

Data & Analytics Leader @ Sapphire Ventures // 10+ yrs exp // Austin

Chief Business Development Officer @ Alumni Ventures // 10+ yrs exp // Boston //

PLATFORM-ADJACENT // Digital Community Manager @ Hampton // Remote

PLATFORM-ADJACENT // Growth Lead @ Power in Numbers (PIN) // 3+ yrs exp // NYC/Remote // $75-$150K

ASIA // Managing Director @ Techstars // Tokyo

EUROPE // Global Product Operations Analyst @ Entrepreneur First // 1-3 yrs exp // London

EUROPE // Platform Associate @ Left Lane Capital // 1-3 yrs exp // London

EUROPE // Business Assistant @ Runa Capital // Luxembourg

12-MONTH OPP // EUROPE // Investor Relations Director (Maternity Leave Cover) @ Notion // 5+ yrs exp // London

EUROPE // Senior Partnerships Manager @ Plug and Play Center // 5-10 yrs exp // London

INTERNSHIP // EUROPE // Portfolio Success Intern @ Speedinvest // Berlin or Munich

INTERNSHIP // EUROPE // Founder Scout Internship @ Antler // Stockholm, Sweeden

INTERNSHIP // EUROPE // CVC Intern @ Deutsche Börse Group // Frankfurt, Germany

VOLUNTEER FELLOWSHIP // Head of Growth Venture Fellow @ Rought Draft Ventures powered by General Catalyst // 8-10 hrs/week

VOLUNTEER FELLOWSHIP // Head of Content Venture Fellow @ Rought Draft Ventures powered by General Catalyst // 8-10 hrs/week

👉 Missed last week’s Job Drop? Read it here

Platform News 🗞️

Last week, Kate Clark published a piece in The Information, Why VC’s Platform Teams Are on the Chopping Block, citing the recent news of Sequoia downsizing their recruiting team as “sending a clear signal to other firms that it’s time to reevaluate the platform teams” and that it’s critical to “get rid of poor performers [portfolio service team members] and optimize the roster.” This hit piece caused sparked conversation amongst the VC Platform Community and VCs at large - defending the role and its huge impact on firms and their portfolio companies. In fact, it was only months ago that VC Platform Global Community and Zendesk published their Power of Platform research study that found that firms that invest in Platform, report a higher return multiple and net IRR (1,000 basis points improvement).

With little information about the Platform role out there, I am disappointed that one of the few pieces out there is misinformed and poorly researched - misrepresenting >1K Platform leaders, making a true impact on portfolio companies.

I encourage you to read her piece and the following responses:

• Dan Kozikowski, VP Platform First Mark

• Amber Quiñones, Head of Platform, BBG Ventures

• Olivia O’Sullivan, Head of Platform, Forum Ventures

• Aydin Senkut, Founder, Felicis Ventures

Platform Spotlight 🔎✨ 

⚡ FAST FACTS

# Years in Platform: 2
Size of Platform Team (including you): 1 (but hiring!)
# Years in VC prior to current Platform role: 0

1 // How do you define Platform?

If a VC firm is a curling team, Platform is the person frantically sweeping the ice to ease the stone's journey and help execute pivots when necessary. Also, events—like it or not. [For the record, I know next to nothing about curling. Don't come for me!]

2 // What was your Path to Platform?

I taught at SoulCycle for 5 years (which is probably where I learned the most about how to be a successful Platform leader) and spent another collective 5 years at various mission-driven startups. Most recently, I was on the founding team of an SMB tech company called withco, which is where I first got a taste of how impactful Platform professionals can be for an early-stage company.

3 // Favorite part of the Platform role?

The founders! I get to work with some of the most creative, brilliant people in the world and find new ways to help them acquire the resources, connections, and advice to bring their ideas to life.

4 // What part of the Platform role surprised you?

No two Platform roles are created equal! The idea of what Platform does differs pretty significantly from one fund to another. Figure out what matters to your fund as quickly as possible after starting a new Platform role, because your assumptions will likely be wrong.

5 // Break down your Platform role by function.

• Portfolio Support: 50%

• Marketing: 20%

• Investor Relations: 10%

• Operations: 10%

• Other (incl. Investing): 10%

6 // Pitch a founder on the value of your firm’s Platform in 280 characters or less.

BBGV's Platform leverages founder development programs, hands-on GTM and fundraising support, and networks of investors/LPs/advisors/talent/VCs to improve follow-on funding to our female & diverse founders and help portfolio companies to achieve meaningful revenue sooner.

7 // What is your advice to Platform job seekers?

Ask "Why now?" in your interviews. As mentioned, no two Platform roles are created equal, so figure out why this role has been created, who the core Platform "users" are, and what kind of leverage they’re hoping to gain from a new hire right now.

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