Portfolio Services Associate (Cleantech Incubator, Non-profit)

Los Angeles, CA
Full Time
Mid Level

  

About LACI 

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a nonprofit organization creating an inclusive green economy by unlocking innovation (through working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies), transforming markets (through catalytic partnerships in zero emission transportation, clean energy and sustainable cities) and enhancing communities (through workforce development, pilots and other programs). Originally founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world. Learn more at laci.org

Position Summary:

The Portfolio Services Associate is fundamental in coordinating and delivering value-add services and benefits  to LACI’s portfolio companies under the Unlocking Innovation Pillar. The Portfolio  Associate is responsible for  monitoring the portfolio and its operations, performing relevant data and market analysis, assisting with requests from LACI portfolio companies, and proactively identifying opportunities to generate alignment between LACI portfolio companies and other internal and external stakeholders at LACI. LACI’s founder-facing programming covers a continuum of support for its startups  to support our mission of creating an inclusive green economy, and it’s the job of the Portfolio Services Associate to ensure that startups have the tools they need to scale and contribute to our mission.  This is a cross-functional role that will report to the Director of Incubation Services, but will work closely with the VP of Investments.

What You’ll Do:

  • Services Development and Delivery: Engage with our portfolio companies to understand the various and differentiated elements of technology and business models being developed by startups, their technology roadmaps and product timelines, and their short and long term needs. Maintain strong relationships with LACI portfolio companies and function as a point of contact for LACI portfolio companies, including administering quarterly reporting from companies and translating self reported information into insights for tailored support strategies 
  • Processes and Procedures: Develop and maintain effective processes for monitoring portfolio company progress against industry-standard KPIs, including handling sensitive information about the business and financial operations of LACI portfolio companies. Support UI senior management in providing timely updates to internal and external stakeholders for portfolio company briefings. Attend Portfolio Company Quarterly Business Reviews to make recommendations on how LACI’s internal and external ecosystem could support company challenges. These events in turn will act as a notice for LACI to develop an invested plan of action to support startup growth vs. dissolution. 
  • Operations and Admin:  Manage day-to-day operations and administrative support to administer value-add services to LACI portfolio companies. Build and grow strategic partnerships between portfolio companies and LACI teams with proactive project management, timely documentation of project status, next steps and timely follow-ups . 
  • Internal Collaboration and Sourcing: Work with internal teams at LACI  to proactively identify areas of opportunity and alignment across other LACI programs, such as LACI’s City Climate Innovation Challenge, BATWorks, LACI Investment Funds, Transportation Electrification Partnership and Clean Energy Partnership. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities to provide value-add services to LACI portfolio companies, including assessing funding needs of LACI startups and coordinating access to investor relations and to LACI’s in-house Impact Funds and Debt Fund, and developing analysis and briefing materials that effectively present investment opportunities in LACI portfolio companies.
  • Partnership Recruiting, Development & Strategy: Identify and secure partnerships that align with LACI’s core startup programs, mission, and strategic initiatives. Secure win-win engagements between startups and LACI teams, and key partners, sponsors, and funders when appropriate. Support and lead the design of a dynamic corporate fundraising strategy in collaboration with LACI’s Unlocking Innovation team, Development Team, and Marketing & Communications team. Design and negotiate partnership agreements that result in co-created programming with desirable outcomes for LACI and partners including opportunities for startups referrals for pipeline development, startup programmatic support, pilot site host & funding support, and dealflow for LACI’s Impact Fund and Debt Fund
  • Ecosystems Building and Engagement: Lead design for events, co-develop content and programming (e.g., webinars, panels, demo days, dinner salons, VIP receptions) that elevate LACI’s assets, ecosystem partner voices and create value for LACI startups. Identify strategic events for LACI team and portfolio companies to attend, partner with or speak at. Facilitate introductions and opportunities (i.e.: free event tickets, investor meetings, pilot project opportunities, speaking roles, etc.) between LACI startups and ecosystem partners to accelerate growth and deployment

Why You’re Right for the Job:

  • You’re a master planner and capacity builder. You know how to operationalize program compliance and develop the plans, processes and people to execute, ensuring everything runs smoothly and goals are met.
  • You are an exceptional communicator. You know how to synthesize and translate complex information for a broad spectrum of audiences, from technologists and engineers, to investors, to cross collaborative team members.
  • You’re super organized. In fact, your organization, attention to detail and time management skills are award-worthy! (Color-coded Excel spreadsheets and pivot tables, anyone?)
  • You’re adaptable. You can flex comfortably between working independently with limited supervision, and operating fluidly within a dynamic team environment.
  • People trust you. You are honest, trustworthy and have the ability to maintain discretion in handling sensitive information.

Requirements:

Basically, we want to know you can get the job done. This means you have:

  • Minimum of 4 years relevant experience, such as working in startups as a founder or early hire, managing a startup investment/grant portfolio, a platform role within a VC firm, or startup acceleration/incubation program management
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or years of equivalent experience
  • Strong proficiency in Google Suite, Notion, Asana, and other project management tools
  • Excellent communication, organization and time management skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Flexible, detail oriented self-starter with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment both independently, with limited supervision, and within a team
  • Extremely organized
  • High proficiency in understanding differences, similarities, opportunities, and challenges of LACI’s focus verticals in the cleantech industry

Work Requirements

  • Hybrid position onsite at Downtown LA office 3 days/week

Position Details:

This is a full-time position, starting immediately. LACI operates out of the La Kretz Innovation Campus, in the bustling Downtown LA Arts District. Since we are rapidly growing, you will be getting in on the ground floor at LACI, with the opportunity to evolve with us and shape your future here. 

Salary Range: Associate/Manager Range $64-72k commensurate with experience, education, skills, etc and total compensation package including health benefits, 401k match, professional development, commuter benefits and more.

In addition to working on a campus with other innovators, we offer industry competitive benefits including:  paid holidays, vacation/sick time, health benefits, 401(k) plan, professional development, and paid parking. We also support alternative transportation with a metro pass for every employee.

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