Manager, VC Fund Partnerships & Ecosystem Development, Sovereign Wealth Fund (Middle East based role)

Background:

Our client, a global top 10 sovereign wealth fund, is looking to hire a Manager into it's Fund of Funds team. This individual will focus on venture capital fund partnerships and ecosystem development — supporting international and regional VC funds.

The role is not investment-focused but instead centres on ecosystem integration, strategic partnerships, and driving impact through stakeholder connections and innovation programs.

The program will invest more than USD 1 billion in international and regional venture capital funds and will place a priority focus on the tech and healthcare sectors. By attracting leading VCs and entrepreneurs, the initiative aims to catalyse the local startup ecosystem, closing the funding gap for entrepreneurs while fostering innovation and growth across the local market.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the main liaison for assigned VC funds under the program
• Monitor fund local activity KPIs
• Measure ecosystem impact and report on ecosystem contributions and success stories arising from VC engagement
• Facilitate connections with relevant stakeholders including regulators, accelerators, corporates, entrepreneurs, and universities
• Create new opportunities to maximize the fund managers’ local impact (mentor hours, events, etc.)
• Present findings to leadership and suggest areas of improvement and present local progress to government stakeholders and leadership as needed

Requirements:

• 10+ years of progressive professional experience in in innovation, venture capital, startup support, or corporate innovation
• Strong understanding of local startup ecosystems, and impact measurement
• Understanding of local entities and their role in the innovation ecosystem
• Experience working with or within VC firms or innovation agencies preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, or equivalent from a reputable and recognized university
• MBA/CFA designation preferable