Sapphire Ventures is an independent venture capital firm with US$2.4 billion under management that invests in mid- to late-stage emerging technology companies as well as early-stage venture funds. 

For more information, please go to www.sapphireventures.com.

Why we're hiring for this role

As of 2014, Sapphire Ventures formed a dedicated Market Development (“MDEV") group whose purpose is to help the firm’s portfolio companies attain global leadership by offering strategic support and guidance across a range of topics, including go-to-market, business development and other operational guidance in key functional areas. This role will aim to expand the scope of MDEV to the human capital domain.

The MDEV group acts as a liaison between SAP, G2000 companies and Sapphire’s own network of growth-stage portfolio companies, as well as the early-stage venture capital firms and their portfolio companies that are part of Sapphire’s Fund Investment portfolio.

At Sapphire, we believe we are one of the best enterprise connectors that an entrepreneur can find in the VC industry. Whether it is accessing a CIO of a Fortune 500 company or a top executive at a global tech titan, Sapphire has built a strong network of influencers that we constantly leverage to both originate new commercial opportunities for our portfolio companies and build a sensor network of CxOs who can inform our investment priorities. Main part of this position’s focus will be growing and managing this network

Who we are looking for

As we seek to extend the power of our MDEV platform to the talent domain, we are seeking for a dynamic individual with a sophisticated understanding of the talent needs of venture-backed enterprise IT startups, a strong talent network, and the desire to help drive the growth of a top-tier venture capital firm and our portfolio companies.

As part of the MDEV team, this unique role will take the lead on building and cultivating Sapphire’s human capital network. The Head of Talent Network will serve as a “human router” – effectively developing and managing a professional network of executives in Sapphire’s network, in order to identify talent that could be placed in our companies as executives or co-founders. Additionally, a key priority of this role is to understand executive talent need of our portfolio companies (“portcos”) as part of Sapphire MDEV’s value add services. Yet, it is important to note that the role isn’t strictly a recruiting role in the traditional sense, but one of strategically and systematically fostering relationships for the long term benefit of Sapphire and our portcos.

Responsibilities

• The Head of Talent Network will focus on understanding the executive talent needs of our portcos, and will aim to help match them with resources available within our network, or via other avenues, (e.g. search firms, SAP recruiting resources), etc.
• Work closely with Sapphire’s investment and market development teams in order to gain strategic understanding of talent needs in our portfolio, and the strategic imperatives of our portcos’ CEOs
• Work closely with Sapphire’s partners on harvesting their own professional networks for the benefit of the firm.
• Develop excellent familiarity and relationships with professional search firms – including SAP’s search organization
• Drive community engagements and peer to peer interactions in our network, by organizing frequent events (e.g. dinners, thematic events, webinars, etc.) to build vibrant professional communities associated with Sapphire (e.g. among our portcos’ CFOs, CROs, etc.) and also ensure that HR-related best practices are shared across the board within our extended portfolio.
• Establish herself/himself as the go-to resource for talent needs by our portcos CEOs and CHROs
• Proactively offer advice and connections to our portcos on their executive talent needs
• Proactively nurture and maintain executive level relationships in the tech community (e.g. by attending industry events, getting to know recruiters, etc.)

• Responsible for the creation and management of Sapphire’s executive contact management database

• 8+ years’ experience in relevant function, including sales, HR, project management, etc.
• EXCEPTIONAL networker – with a solid rolodex already in place and a proven passion to develop new, highly relevant relationships
• Strong communications skills are a must
• The ideal candidate will possess an energetic, outgoing, and authentic personality
• Working knowledge of the technology sector (B2B or B2C), and solid familiarity with core business functions i.e. marketing, sales, development.
• Proven understanding of the tech talent landscape in key US markets (e.g. Bay Area, NYC, Boston)
• Proven track record of interacting with and advising senior level positions in organizations (CxO level)
• Understanding of the VC landscape an advantage
• Relevant undergraduate degree (e.g. business, economics, engineering) is a must; Master’s degree preferred
• Bay Area resident

• Reporting to: Managing Director, MDEV - Sapphire Ventures
  
• Location: Palo Alto, California
• The position will likely require travel a few days per month
• Projected start date: Q1/Q2 2017
• Sapphire Ventures offers a competitive salary and bonus plan
• 401(K) Plans/ Profit sharing along with Health/ Dental and Vision
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States