Kaizen Recruitment is partnering with Innovation Victoria to find an outstanding Investment Principal – Funds Management who will play a critical role in shaping and managing investment strategies that support Victoria's innovation, venture capital and economic growth agenda.

Reporting to the Head of Funds Management, this leadership opportunity will oversee a portfolio of existing fund investments while helping drive future investment initiatives across Innovation Victoria. The role offers a rare opportunity to influence the growth of Victoria's innovation ecosystem through partnerships with venture fund managers, institutional investors, founders, government stakeholders and high-growth companies.

For an experienced investment professional passionate about venture capital, funds management and creating meaningful economic impact, this is an exceptional opportunity to operate at the forefront of Victoria's innovation landscape.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will be responsible for the ongoing management of Innovation Victoria's existing funds portfolio, including investments historically managed through LaunchVic and Invest Victoria, while supporting the development and execution of future investment strategies.

This role combines investment origination, portfolio management, stakeholder engagement and team leadership, requiring both strong commercial acumen and the ability to navigate a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

Key responsibilities include:

Investment & Funds Management

- Managing a portfolio of existing fund investments across Innovation Victoria.
- Contributing to the development and execution of funds investment strategies aligned with organisational objectives and strategic asset allocation.
- Identifying, assessing and recommending new fund investment opportunities through market scanning and rigorous due diligence and the potential for co-investment.
- Evaluating and selecting external fund managers focus on investing in innovative start-up businesses and negotiating investment terms.
- Leading investment recommendations for presentation to executive leadership and governance committees.





Portfolio Management & Value Creation

- Monitoring fund performance and ensuring ongoing compliance with investment mandates.
- Managing relationships with external fund managers and participating in Limited Partner Advisory Committees (LPACs) where required.
- Supporting portfolio companies and investment partners to achieve key growth milestones.
- Driving value creation initiatives focused on revenue growth, capital access, scaling capability and product development.
- Developing and executing strategies to optimise portfolio performance and long-term value outcomes.

Governance & Stakeholder Engagement

- Building and maintaining strong relationships across the venture capital, start-up, investment and innovation ecosystem.
- Engaging with founders, fund managers, co-investors, professional advisers and government stakeholders.
- Providing high-quality reporting, insights and investment recommendations to senior leadership and investment governance forums.
- Supporting robust governance, risk management and oversight across the investment portfolio.
- Representing Innovation Victoria on boards, committees and advisory groups where required.

Leadership & Team Development

- Leading and developing a high-performing investment team.
- Coaching and mentoring investment professionals to strengthen investment judgement, financial modelling and due diligence capabilities.
- Creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Championing Innovation Victoria's values, leadership behaviours and mission.

About You

We are seeking a highly capable investment professional with demonstrated experience across funds management, venture capital, private equity, corporate development, investment banking or a related investment environment.





The ideal candidate will bring:

- Significant experience managing investments, funds or complex investment portfolios, including being able to dive deep on start-up investment opportunities.
- Strong investment analysis, valuation, due diligence and financial modelling capabilities.
- Experience assessing and executing sophisticated investment transactions.
- Strong understanding of venture capital, private markets and investment governance frameworks.
- Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, fund managers, founders and investors.
- Experience participating in boards, investment committees or governance forums is highly regarded.
- Demonstrated leadership experience with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams.
- Exceptional communication, relationship management and strategic thinking skills.

Key Capabilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

- Lead investment origination and market engagement strategies.
- Assess and structure complex investment opportunities.
- Develop compelling, evidence-based investment recommendations.
- Navigate diverse stakeholder environments and build trusted partnerships.
- Align investment decision-making with strategic objectives and economic impact outcomes.
- Drive portfolio performance and value creation initiatives.
- Design and execute investment exit strategies that maximise long-term value.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the prospect to make a genuine contribution to Victoria's future innovation and investment landscape while working alongside experienced leaders across government, venture capital and entrepreneurship.

It combines commercial investment rigour with meaningful economic impact, providing exposure to some of Victoria's most significant innovation and venture investment initiatives.

This is a unique and rare opportunity to be able to shape the future innovation landscape of Victoria and to work with the next generation of businesses focussed on cutting-edge innovation and technology.

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📌 Investment Principal - Funds Management (Melbourne)
🏢 @
📍 Melbourne