Investor Relationship Manager

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With one foot in academia and the other in industry, Oxford University Innovation’s professionals undertake a wide variety of tasks, from licensing university ideas, consultancy and finding investment for spinout companies to setting up social enterprises and supporting student entrepreneurship. The Investments and New Ventures team (OUI-INV) acts as the growth catalyst for companies emerging from Oxford University through early-stage investment and support. The main responsibilities of the team include translational funding, supporting new company formation, equity fundraising, fund management and portfolio management. The team manages the shareholdings in over 200 companies created by the University of Oxford, valued at over £200m.

The Opportunity:
We now have a unique opportunity for a dynamic and motivated individual to join the team as Investor Relationship Manager. Reporting to the Head of Investments and New Ventures, the successful candidate will demonstrate knowledge and expertise in developing and maintaining strong investor relations. They will possess the right skills to support fundraising efforts and enhance the visibility of OUI’s portfolio within the investment community. The successful candidate will have a business, economics, or relevant science degree (or equivalent), and ideally have experience working in early-stage venture finance.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Investor Engagement Strategy – Develop and implement a proactive investor engagement strategy and build and maintain a high-quality network of early-stage investors.
• Fundraising Support – In collaboration with OUI colleagues, the preparation of fundraising, including refining investment materials, pitch decks and data rooms.
• Portfolio Visibility & Promotion – Organise and lead investor showcase events, demo days and one-to-one investor meetings and collaborate effectively with the OUI Marketing Communications Team to ensure consistent messaging and positioning of OUI’s portfolio.
• Stakeholder Management – Alongside the Head of Investments and New Ventures, build effective relationships with all relevant stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Data & Reporting – Maintain accurate records of investor interactions and fundraising progress using OUI systems, prepare reports and presentations and monitor market trends to inform strategy and engagement.

About You:
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate proven competence in the following:

• Investor Relationships – a proven track record of developing and maintaining investor relationships.
• Project management – Conscientious, detail-oriented with the ability to prioritise workloads and multiple projects.
• Commercial analysis – Designing, developing, and critiquing business strategies based on sound judgement and good analysis.
• Communicating with confidence – Weighing up alternative courses of action, making considered decisions and persuading others. Able to influence and engender respect from a wide range of stakeholders, both verbally and written.
• Relationship with others – The ability to contribute to the OUI-INV team. To be able to either work autonomously or as part of a small team in line with OUI Values. Supporting the personal development of members with the OUI-INV team and the wider OUI organisation.

How to apply:

If you are interested in applying for this role, please download the application form from the OUI website and send it together with a copy of your CV and cover letter to Roy Bennett at roy@adlib-recruitment.co.uk. Information about our culture and working life at OUI can be found here https://innovation.ox.ac.uk/about/careers/

The salary for this role is commensurate with experience and will range from £48,000 – £55,000 per annum.

Benefits include 30 days holiday + 8 bank holidays, hybrid working, rewards scheme, generous pension (10% contribution from OUI) and private healthcare.

The closing date is midday Monday 25th August 2025.

*Roy will be reviewing all applications on Thursday 28th August on his return from annual leave.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:
Oxford University Innovation is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a supportive working, learning and social environment, in which the rights and dignity of all its staff are respected, and where everyone can be themselves and are empowered to reach their full potential. This commitment is linked to and reinforces the OUI values of integrity, collaboration, and empowerment. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures.

Our approach to hybrid and flexible working:
We believe that our employees are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to attracting and retaining the very best talent. We also appreciate that the UK workforce is becoming increasingly diverse and includes a high percentage of parents and individuals with caring responsibilities, as well as those whose interests and aspirations impact on their time.
We recognise the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home lives by offering flexible working arrangements that enable them to balance their work commitments with other priorities. This includes hybrid working and flexible working.

OUI is accredited with the Investors in People Gold status.