VP, Ventures

Job Description:

Role Summary/Purpose:

This role entails active leadership of all areas of corporate venture capital investing, portfolio management and ecosystem development.  The VP, Ventures will be expected to source new deals, drive due diligence efforts, monitor and support Synchrony’s portfolio investments and build Synchrony Ventures brand in the ecosystem. You will be part of a small and high-impact team, with direct exposure to senior management and all aspects of the investment process.  This role offers a unique opportunity to be a key impact player and have significant involvement in the evolution of Synchrony Ventures.  This role reports to the SVP of Synchrony Ventures and is part of the Business Strategy & Development organization.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of the Ventures process for assigned Platform/industries

• Align with internal Stakeholders: Develop deep relationships across the synchrony organization to identify themes and trends of strategic relevance. During diligence, collaborate with internal stakeholders to assess strategic fit and value.  

• Market assessment: Scan the market to identify emerging themes and trends of potential relevance to SYF.

• Deal Sourcing: Source investment opportunities aligned to identified themes through various channels. Serve as initial filter to screen opportunities.

• Conduct Deal Due Diligence: Perform thorough due diligence on potential investments including financial analysis, TAM and competitive differentiation, team evaluation, and customer reference checks. Independently run diligence processes with assistance from relevant team members and functional stakeholders. Build presentations.

• Post-closing Portfolio Support: Provide ongoing monitoring of portfolio companies, including relevant internal reporting and KPI tracking. Attend board meetings and perform relevant Board Observer duties.

• Network Building & Thought Leadership: Cultivate relationships across the broader Venture and Entrepreneurship community to drive deal flow. Support and execute on strategic brand building and represent the firm at relevant industry and internal events.

• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned

Qualifications/Requirements:

• 1) Bachelor’s Degree and Minimum of 8 years of professional experience including industries such as Fintech, Financial services / Payments, Retail or Healthcare industry experience   or 2) in lieu of a Bachelor Degree, a High School Diploma / GED and  10 years relevant Fintech, Financial Services / Payments, Retail or Healthcare industry experience; or 3)  Master’s Degree and  7 years relevant Fintech, Financial Services/ Payments, Retail or Healthcare industry experience.

• Understanding of relevant technologies

• Ability to travel up to 20%

Desired Characteristics:

• Demonstrated ability to build a network internally and externally - network partners including startups, investors, corporates and other ecosystem partners, and universities

• Demonstrated ability to develop data-driven perspectives on market trends and emerging technologies and present insights to executive audiences

• Willing to go to networking events in NYC and/or San Francisco

• Prior Start-up and/or Venture Capital experience

• 5+ Years of Start-up and/or Venture Capital experience leading deals wing-to-wing

• MBA or other relevant Master’s Degree

• Fintech and or venture capital experience is preferred ; Fintech experience – startup and enterprise side

• Strong tech understanding of new Technologies such as AI, machine learning

• Understanding of payments space

• Deep understanding of and/or exposure of how the latest technologies are impacting Financial Services, Retail, and/or Health

• Strong connections to the startup community, investo