About HearstLab
HearstLab is a mission-driven venture arm of Hearst Corporation, investing in early-stage, female-founded & led startups. We invest from Pre-Seed through Series B across the U.S., Europe, Middle East, and Japan, with a focus on software-driven businesses in strategic sectors aligned with Hearst's 360+ businesses in the media, e-commerce, healthcare, transportation, financial services, and real estate sectors.
We are hiring a Venture Director to join our International team in London. This is a high-impact role based in London where you'll help shape the future of women-led innovation by sourcing and leading investments, supporting a portfolio of 90+ companies, and expanding our strategic investor and partnership network.
This position reports to the Director of HearstLab International.
Core Responsibilities
Portfolio and Strategic Corporate Support
- Act as a senior point of contact for UK Lab portfolio companies, maintaining regular engagement with founders, representing HearstLab in investor and board-level discussions where appropriate, and using these insights to deliver high-impact strategic support.
- Navigate Hearst corporate structures to identify, supervise, and facilitate deals and partnerships between HearstLab portfolio companies and relevant Hearst divisions, including regular engagement with C-level executives across Hearst.
Sourcing & Investments
- Own and execute the UK and European sourcing strategy.
- Lead investment evaluations, including financial due diligence and market assessment, and deliver clear, senior-level recommendations for internal investment discussions, including the full execution of investment memos.
- Serve as a thought partner to the broader HearstLab investment team on European market trends and opportunities.
- Support deal sourcing and pipeline development in the GCC region.
Community, Ecosystem Leadership & Events
- Strengthen and expand HearstLab's international investor network, deepening relationships with top-tier VCs, angels, and ecosystem partners.
- Deepen engagement with key UK Scouts and senior leaders within Hearst, including C-level executives.
- Represent HearstLab externally as a senior ambassador, including speaking roles at key industry events and participation in high-level ecosystem forums.
- Provide senior-level support for international and UK-based HearstLab events, including strategic input, logistic support, speaker participation, and high-value introductions to local sponsors, partners, and ecosystem leaders as needed.
Operational Leadership
- Partner with internal colleagues to ensure the effective and strategic use of AI tools across investment and portfolio workflows.
- Maintain high standards of discipline and visibility across sourcing, portfolio activity, and ecosystem engagement through tools such as Notion and Airtable.
Who You Are
Essential
- A strong and active investor network across the UK and Europe.
- Significant experience in venture capital, corporate venture, or a closely related investment role.
- Proven ability to engage confidently with founders, co-investors, and senior corporate stakeholders, including C-level executives.
- Strong investment judgment and the ability to assess opportunities efficiently and rigorously.
- Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on, relationship-driven approach.
- Excellent communication skills and comfort representing an organization publicly.
- Capacity to multitask and perform well under high pressure situations.
- Flexibility to lead and execute across a broad range of tasks, adapting to evolving priorities and needs.
- Passionate about making a change and working for a more equitable investment landscape and fair world.
- Willingness to travel internationally as needed.
Desirable
- Experience operating within or alongside large corporate environments.
- Track record of facilitating strategic partnerships or commercial collaborations between startups and corporates.
What We Offer
- A senior, high-impact role within a globally recognized investment platform focused on driving meaningful change.
- Direct exposure to Hearst's senior leadership and businesses across multiple markets.
- The opportunity to shape HearstLab's UK and International strategy and strengthen collaboration across the Hearst ecosystem.
- A collaborative, mission-driven team environment with strong internal support.