Programme Associate

About us

In a nutshell, we are one of the fastest growing and most active venture capital firms in Europe focused on backing innovators who are transforming our relationship with the built world and its impact on communities, businesses, and the environment. We bring deep sector knowledge and clear investment conviction, combined with a powerful community of change makers to nurture, and support growth, scale, and adoption. Since launching back in 2015, we’ve built a portfolio of over 70 global companies to date.

In addition to being a Seed and Series A investor, each year we run an award-wining Growth Programme designed to nurture and supercharge a select group of teams who are working to reshape our built world. Participating companies benefit from weekly workshops, one-on-one meetings (with our team, our network of mentors, venture partners and external advisors), as well of lots of social engagements throughout the 4 months too. To date, we’ve taken 55 companies through our programme. Out of these companies, 73% have seen an uplift in valuation, with some such as Landtech, now an established global company, employing hundreds of people across numerous markets. Companies that have gone through the accelerator have developed solutions in construction technology, robotics, 3D visualisation, sustainability technology, workplace wellbeing, VR workplace training and AI design.

What we stand for

Change is hard (especially in the world’s largest and most inflexible asset class), but change is vital (and possible). We can and must do better. Whether it’s the climate crisis or the housing crisis, property has a power in our lives that is rarely fully recognised. We’re backing the innovators making the built world better for people, businesses, and the environment.

The role / your mission

The Programme Associate role varies in terms of responsibilities throughout the year.

During busy months for the growth programme, usually between September and May, your role will mostly be supporting the programme. Your focus will be on delivering the best possible experience for our founders and ensuring successful execution of the program. Day-to-day responsibilities will include program administrative duties, program and mentor scheduling, and helping our companies connect with our community of mentors and founders.

Outside of the Growth Programme core period, you will actively supporting our Investment team with originating and assessing Seed Investments.

This role is very varied, and there will be a great deal of other things to get stuck into, but your main responsibilities will include: 

Responsibilities & accountabilities

• Growth Programme Management
• Work Programme Manager with the planning and day-to-day running of the yearly 16-week program.
• Coordinate team activities, including workshops and individual meetings between cohort companies, customers, mentors and investors.
• Support planning and management of events, including Pi Labs’ annual Demo Day
• Manage and produce internal resources for cohort teams, such as a Notion page and online recordings.
• Engage with founders and plan activities, meetings and events that drive them toward success
• Deal Sourcing and screening
• Generate and qualify deal flow for the Growth Programme and Seed investments, including attending relevant industry events
• Utilise multiple mediums to stay on top of current and future trends
• Deal Analysis & Execution
• Conduct commercial and financial analyses to support investment recommendations
• Support Investment Managers in preparing Investment Committee Memo
• Firm Building
• Engage and proactively drive internal projects
• Contribute to team and firm culture

Useful knowledge, skills and experience

• 2-3 years of experience in a 1-3 years in fast-paced project or program management focused position, including venture capital, investment banking or a start-up roles
• Excellent organization, self-management and people skills
• Self-starter with the ability to initiate projects and work push goals forward autonomously
• Comfortable with a minimal amount of direction but high expectations
• Attention to detail and great organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience working in a start-up environment, technology or real estate would be advantageous

Values & Essential behaviours

• Positive and enthusiastic with a can-do attitude
• Flexible and adaptable (the startup ecosystem is fast paced and changes a lot so you need to be comfortable with that)
• Curiosity and an eagerness to learn and develop
• Resourceful and able to work on projects autonomously

Why join us

• We are solving the greatest social and commercial challenges of the world’s largest asset class, Real Estate.
• We are empowering exceptional founders who are solving global challenges
• We have the privilege of working with some exceptionally talented founders, from whom we learn a great deal
• We are at the forefront of innovation and get a first-hand view of where the industry is going before anyone else
• We are a small and nimble team on a high growth journey who are always open to new ideas and ways of doing things
• We are backed by some of the industry’s most influential investors, corporates and professionals
• We are a diverse team that is working to break industry stereotypes at every level
• We have a packed events, marketing, social calendar so lots to get involved with
• Finally, we may be biased, but we think we’re pretty fun bunch to be around!

 What we’re offering

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• 2 additional days allocated for Health & Wellbeing
• Flexible working
• Corporate coaching & wellbeing support
• Formal & informal employee development opportunities
• Benefits (medical/ life assurance/critical illness)

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to fostering a culture where everyone regardless of background, ethnicity, or gender feels welcome. If you are excited about this role, but do not 100% meet all the qualifications listed above, we would still encourage you to apply. We recognise that a variety of different skills, strengths, and experiences can add a lot of value to our team.

 Next steps

If you’d like to be considered for this role, head to the application button.

You’ll answer some questions that are related to the day-to-day Programme Associate role. After the application window closes, your answers will go through our sift process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers.

If you are shortlisted, we’ll invite you to the next step, which includes a virtual meeting with members of our team. Interviews are expected to be held on w/c 27th of July.

The start-date for this role can be flexible to accommodate the successful candidate, with an ideal start-date in July or August 2022.