Senior Associate

About the Role
Alumni Ventures is seeking a full-time Senior Associate to join our Cardinal Investment Team. This role sits on a team that invests for Spike Ventures and will contribute across sourcing, investing, and portfolio management. The stage focus of AV funds is primarily Seed to Series A, with about one-third of the work in Growth stage deals. Alumni Ventures is a multi-sector fund; this role is for a generalist investing athlete.

The Senior Associate will increase deal sourcing volume and pipeline quality across the team, while also strengthening the team’s investment edge through research, content, and competitive intelligence. This person will operate as a shared resource, contributing to each person’s workflow, while building their own sourcing motion over time. We’re looking for someone who is highly self-directed, is proactive in communication and follow-through, and is intellectually curious with strong technical instincts.

This position will be based out of our Menlo Park office and is in office five days per week.

What You’ll Do
Investing & Deal Execution

• Identify and research potential investment opportunities and develop a strong deal pipeline
• Vet potential deal opportunities aligned with AV’s investment mandate, including interviews with founders, customers, and market participants
• Develop investment memos and support Investment Committee processes
• Present companies and collaborate closely with the Managing Partner and broader AV team

Deal Sourcing & Pipeline Development

• Own a consistent sourcing motion, including tracking inbound opportunities, proactive outreach, and event participation
• Build and maintain relationships with VCs, entrepreneurs, incubators, and ecosystem participants
• Leverage tools (e.g., Harmonic and others) to support structured prospecting and pipeline development
• Manage deal flow systems, ensuring accurate tagging, tracking, and database integrity

Portfolio Management & Monitoring

• Assist in monitoring existing investments and supporting portfolio companies across various needs
• Track portfolio company updates, flag risks, opportunities, and upcoming fundraises
• Coordinate with internal teams to triage and support portfolio requests
• Maintain fund performance metrics in collaboration with AV finance and back office teams

Research, Insights & Content

• Conduct competitive and market research, including sector landscapes, market maps, and company analyses
• Develop and refine investment theses across key sectors
• Contribute to internal materials (investment memos, research briefs) and external-facing content (blog posts, market insights, syndicate materials)
• Develop and maintain proprietary deal and market intelligence

Collaboration & Culture

• Work closely with sibling funds to identify shared investment opportunities
• Educate deal sources and founders about AV and manage relationships with professionalism and clarity
• Contribute positively to AV’s culture and team effectiveness

Who You Are 

• MBA or other advanced degree
• Stanford background is a plus
• 1–5 years of venture capital experience, supplemented by 5–10 years of overall work experience
• Demonstrated experience working with AI tools or platforms
• Ability to evaluate and integrate AI tools to enhance workflows and decision-making
• Strong analytical, financial analysis, organizational, and writing skills
• Excellent communication skills with a professional presence and ability to build relationships internally and externally
• Ability to quickly evaluate a venture’s business model, market opportunity, and team
• Strong awareness of the venture capital ecosystem, including key firms and trends
• Familiarity with venture deal structures, terms, and industry practices
• Technical curiosity and ability to engage with emerging technologies and trends
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, decision-useful insights 

Our Culture & How We Work at AV
Regardless of title, this is what great looks like at AV.

• Put team and stakeholders first. We win together and measure success by the value we create for our investors, founders, and each other.
• Take extreme ownership and bias toward action. We act like owners, move with urgency, and follow through.
• Debate rigorously and commit fully. We welcome diverse views, use data and sound judgment, and once aligned, execute as one team.
• Focus on what matters most. We prioritize impact, simplify where possible, and channel energy where we have a real advantage.
• Be AI-forward and tech-optimistic. We actively use AI and emerging technologies to work smarter, make better decisions, and amplify human judgment — not replace it.
• Stay curious and think big. We are continuous learners, aim high and build for long-term impact.

Benefits & Perks
We offer a flexible, employee-first benefits program designed to support your health, financial well-being, and life outside of work. Benefits begin shortly after hire and are designed to give you choice and flexibility based on your needs.

• Comprehensive health coverage with multiple plan options, including employer-funded deductible support and HSA contributions
• Dental and vision plans with multiple coverage tiers
• Tax-advantaged accounts including HSA, FSA, and commuter benefits (with monthly employer contribution)
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Company-paid life and disability insurance, plus optional supplemental coverage
• Additional support programs including EAP, health advocacy, and wellness resources
• Flexible, unlimited PTO and generous paid parental leave
• 11 company holidays

Compensation
Compensation includes a starting base salary of $150,000 - 160,000 plus equity, carry potential, and corporate bonus.