About Outset Ventures

Outset Ventures is Aotearoa’s only private deep-tech incubator and an active investor in early-stage physical-science startups. We combine 100+ years of entrepreneurial and investment experience to back visionary founders tackling global challenges. Our core values drive everything we do:

• Nerdy: We get excited about what’s possible and dig into the technical details of what our companies are building.
• Humble doers: We roll up our sleeves and quietly get things done.
• Risk takers: We embrace the unknown, move fast, and push boundaries.
• Generous nurturers: We champion the deep-tech ecosystem and nurture founders.
• Trustworthy independents: We value transparency, integrity, and founder ownership.

We are a small team of 6 based in Parnell, currently housing 22 deep-tech start-ups on site. We have just closed Fund II and are busy deploying this capital into the next generation of deep-tech start-ups. We are looking for a new investment team member to help us do this!

About the Role

Your role will be to attract, invest in, and support New Zealand’s most promising deep-tech startups. You will actively source and connect with future founders, and cultivate trusted relationships with founders, investors, and other stakeholders in the ecosystem.

Most importantly, you will be a proactive, optimistic, collaborative and kind team member that deeply aligns to our values and the success of our founders and investors.

As a Senior Associate, you will take end-to-end ownership of critical deal-making and portfolio-management activities, operating with a high degree of autonomy and strategic responsibility. You’ll lead key workstreams - from sourcing and evaluating opportunities through detailed due diligence and Investment Committee engagement, to driving value creation in portfolio companies and shaping our investment strategy.

This is a pivotal hire for our team: we’re looking for someone committed to a long-term career with us, with a clear path to Principal and, ultimately, to Investment Partner.

Key Responsibilities

1. Deal Sourcing & Origination: Own and expand high-quality deal flow: cultivate referrer networks, develop founder-focused content, and execute targeted outreach.
2. Due Diligence & Deal Execution: Lead deep-dive diligence workstreams, and assist with investment thesis development and Investment Committee engagement.
3. Portfolio Management & Value Creation: Track portfolio company performance, serve as an Observer on portfolio company boards, and initiate and measure value-add programs.
4. Thought Leadership & External Representation: Build and maintain strong relationships with founders, investors, and industry leaders, and represent Outset at conferences, industry roundtables, etc.
5. Fund Investment Strategy and Portfolio Construction: Critically challenge and help develop Outset’s investment approach based on a principle of continuous improvement.
6. Fund & Process Management: Drive continuous improvement of investment processes, support fundraising activities, and assist with reporting.

About You

You bring the energy and mindset to thrive in a fast-moving deep-tech VC environment.  Specifically:

Think Strategically & Analytically

• You have strong commercial instincts and sharp analytical skills. Problem solving comes naturally to you
• Confident interrogating financial models, market research, and investment theses at both the macro and micro levels
• Able to “see the forest for the trees”, honing in on what really matters and staying disciplined and true to our investment approach

Own & Execute

• You are a proactive self-starter who is unafraid of responsibility, and comfortable operating in dynamic, fast-paced environments with imperfect information
• Comfortable making independent judgments and challenging consensus when needed

Collaborate & Communicate

• You are probably an extravert (or perhaps a very social introvert) who loves working with people and “connecting the dots”
• Natural at building high-trust relationships with founders, colleagues, and co-investors. People trust you because you say it how it is, and do what you say you will
• Exceptional verbal and written communicator
• Able to coach without ego and lead tough conversations

Adapt & Innovate

• You have a can-do attitude and love thinking outside the box
• Thrive in ambiguity: flexible, resilient, and ready to tackle new challenges at speed
• Curious lifelong learner who seeks out emerging technologies, networks, and ideas
• AI-native and future-focused, with a bias toward action and continuous improvement

Lead with EQ & Integrity

• You have high emotional intelligence: listen actively, show up in hard moments, and operate with a strong ethical core
• Low ego: your primary focus is ensuring the success of your team as a whole, as well as the companies you invest in. You have the grit to be wrong, learn fast, and get better

Background

• You probably have a wide range of interests and love to learn new things and meet new people
• Your background might be engineering or science-based, working within a start-up, investment banking, consulting, sales – or maybe something different entirely!
• Most importantly, you have a genuine interest in investing, are comfortable with technology and science/engineering-based concepts, and have ambition to help us build a portfolio of deep-tech companies that will resonate globally for decades to come

If this sounds like you, you may be the person we are looking for!

What We Offer

• Ownership & impact: a seat at the table with direct influence on capital deployment and fund success, and close engagement with amazing innovators.
• Professional growth: mentorship from experienced Investment Partners, and a supported pathway to Principal and, ultimately, Partner track.
• Collaborative culture: a tight-knit team of technical experts and operators who work closely together and support each other to achieve awesome things.
• Competitive compensation with line of sight to a share in fund carry at Principal level.
• Ability to work remotely / flexibly.
• An awesome work environment, surrounded by deep-tech entrepreneurs and a lot of energy!
• Work visa sponsorship available if required.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter via Seek. In your cover letter, please answer the following questions:

1. Tell us about yourself and why you are applying for this role.
2. What was the last thing you went down a rabbit hole researching for fun or purely out of interest? Why did it grab you? What interested you about it and what did you learn?
3. Tell us about a time you convinced someone of something hard. What was the situation and how did you approach it?
4. Describe a time you used AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) to solve a problem or create something. Be specific.

Please note that we will not review applications until the job has closed for applications on 21 May at 5pm. We will be in touch after this time. First round interviews are expected to take place in early June.