Portfolio Program Associate

TDK Ventures is seeking a deeply technical and highly effective program manager to support its portfolio of entrepreneurs. The Portfolio Program Associate will apply deep technical knowledge, partnerships building, and program management skills to the core investment areas of focus for TDK Ventures in Renewable Energy, Materials Technologies, Cleantech, Industry 5.0, Mobility, Computing & Connectivity. This is an exciting opportunity to work with an award-winning, top-tier Corporate Venture Capital fund in Silicon Valley. TDK Ventures continues to pioneer corporate venturing with “TDK Goodness” to entrepreneurs in the deep-tech space. Currently, TDK Ventures is investing with $200M AUM and is backed by TDK Corporation – a Japanese electronics conglomerate.

Reporting to the Portfolio Program Manager, the Portfolio Program Associate will work closely with the TDK Ventures team, to engage with startups all around the world, understand deeply their key technologies and solutions and support detailed exploration of collaborative synergies with global TDK teams and assist in program management of the projects from start to finish. The goal is to explore, identify, secure, and track mutual value creation between the startups and TDK. This position’s responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Responsibilities

Secure true win-win engagements between startups and TDK teams, and key partners and potentials customers when appropriate.
Engage with our portfolio companies to deeply understand the different and differentiated elements of technology being developed into products by the startups, their technology roadmap and product timelines, and their short and long-term needs.
Develop and document solid knowledge of TDK’s core competencies, businesses, technology roadmap, partnership requirements, and paint points across the various TDK business groups, to explore and identify synergistic opportunities with startups.
Support Portfolio Program Manager in timely development of compelling presentations to our Investment Committee on potential and identified synergies.
Build and grow strategic partnerships between portfolio companies and TDK teams with pro-active program management, timely documentation of project status, next steps and timely follow-ups to bring highly valued TDK goodness.
Constantly explore business development opportunities and technology infusion between startups and TDK and keeping programs and projects moving forward.
Support Portfolio Program Manager in timely updates to TDK Ventures Portfolio companies’ briefings.
Capture key learnings and apply them to continuously improve the program management process and share best practices with TDK Ventures team.
Support Portfolio Program Manager in other activities as needed

Qualifications

Having a keen sense of curiosity, willingness to learn, collaborative spirit, ability to prioritize tasks, superior time management and being results oriented are critical requirements to succeed in this job. Candidates for this position should also possess the following:

7-10 years of combined experience working in a technical field and or technical program management. Investment portfolio programs experience would be a huge plus
A technical degree is required, preferably a Ph.D. or similar in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Sciences with a successful academic and professional track record
Demonstrated experience in program management, delivering deep technology solutions
Proven ability to forge partnerships, collaborations between internal networks and external partners and customers and a track record of achieving results through collaboration and teamwork
Meticulous attention to detail, analytic ability to draw and document useful insights that can produce actionable results.
Ability to distil complex technical information and put it in simple words and excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the English language
Self-starter personality with superior work ethic, accountability, team mentality and uncompromising personal integrity
Capable of working independently as well as within a global team environment collaboratively

Benefits

TDK Ventures offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, and comprehensive benefits package.

Applications

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to by clicking: Apply Here

Your qualifications should be highlighted on your resume and or cover letter, using examples by stating the problems you faced, the solutions you provided and the results it achieved.

TDK Ventures is an Equal Opportunity Employer