The Utah Innovation Fund is a $30M state-funded venture capital fund aimed at supporting the commercialization of technologies being discovered, advanced, or developed at Utah’s institutions of higher education. The Senior Associate Lead Intern for the Utah Innovation Fund will lead and oversee all due diligence activities conducted by the student analysts’ team. In this key leadership role, you will mentor and guide student analysts, ensuring the quality and accuracy of their research and analysis. You will coordinate the team’s efforts, manage due diligence processes, and present findings to the investment committee. As the primary point of contact for due diligence for the student analysts’ inquiries.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions & Responsibilities may include:

• Manage and oversee the Utah Innovation Fund’s student analyst’s due diligence team, guiding their research, and analysis.
• Provide mentorship and training to student analysts, fostering their development in venture capital research and analysis.
• Lead and coordinate the due diligence efforts of the student analysts, ensuring high-quality, accurate, and timely work.
• Lead weekly team meetings to provide updates on companies under review, address challenges, and ensure team alignment with fund objectives.
• Act as the main contact for all due diligence inquiries related to the student analysts’ team, facilitating communication between internal stakeholders and the team.
• Compile and present comprehensive due diligence reports and recommendations to the Utah Innovation Fund’s investment committee and senior partners.

Key Metrics for Evaluation:

• Ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the due diligence processes managed by the student analysts’ team.
• Demonstrate strong leadership by inspiring and guiding the student analysts to produce high-quality work and meet deadlines.
• Maintain and improve the consistency and quality of due diligence deliverables provided by the student analysts.
• Play a critical role in shaping investment decisions through thorough and well-supported due diligence findings.
• Continuously seek opportunities to enhance and innovate due diligence methodologies and processes.

Learning & Development Goals:

• Achieve mastery in due diligence processes and best practices specific to venture capital and early-stage investments.
• Develop advanced leadership and management skills, with an emphasis on guiding and mentoring student teams.
• Gain in-depth expertise in venture capital investment decision-making and contribute significantly to the fund’s success.

Requirements :

• Ability to attend weekly Monday investment due diligence team meetings (remote: 4pm-5pm)
• Ability to attend weekly Wednesday Investment Speaker Series (Remote – 4pm-5pm)
• Ability to attend weekly Friday team lead investment analyst meeting (Remote – 3pm-3:30pm)
• Ability to spend 15-19hours/week on the job
• Ability to travel to Salt Lake City or Lehi for periodic in-person meetings, pitch events, etc.
• Personal computer or access to a computer.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma, or equivalency
• Strong background in venture capital, finance, or a related field.
• Experience in managing due diligence activities and leading research teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex findings clearly.
• Strong leadership qualities, with a proven track record of mentoring and developing junior team members.
• High attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to quality.

Preferences

Preferred Candidates will have either:

1. Investment banking, private equity, venture capital, or other investing experience (internship experience counts – especially internships where interns have conducted due diligence for investment memos). OR;
2. Have a deep technical understanding (junior, senior, master’s, PhD) in a relevant discipline – advanced manufacturing, aerospace & defense, energy & natural resources, life sciences/biotech, outdoor products & rec, emerging technology (blockchain, ML, AI, AR/VR, etc.)

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.