Portfolio Manager

Background for this Role

Uptake Alliance is an intersectional community of corporates, startups, policymakers, investors, and academics built to create the market conditions for frontier climate ventures to thrive. Launched in September 2023 and supported by NYSERDA, Uptake’s mission is to ensure the adoption of market-ready climate technologies. While that does set an audacious bar, we believe that by bringing together startups with interesting solutions and corporates with vexing technical challenges, we can design win-win situations and create a regenerative impact on our climate future. Uptake is seeking a Portfolio Manager who can lead the day-to-day operations of our startup portfolio engagement and support the recruitment, due diligence, and selection of the most impactful and relevant climate ventures.

The ideal candidate gets fired up about new and interesting climate solutions and believes in the power of entrepreneurship to change the world. At the same time, Uptake’s work is grounded in the necessity - and complexity - of corporate adoption of new technologies to drive industry transformation. The ideal candidate also has experience and/or is interested in learning more about one or more of our core focus areas including energy (utilities, distributed energy), buildings (building materials, advanced construction, prefab/offsite), transportation (EVs, public transit), and other industrials (manufacturing, processing, etc.).

As Portfolio Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management and support of Uptake’s climate tech startup portfolio, ensuring the startups receive the necessary resources, guidance, and mentorship to thrive. You will also be expected to support the recruitment, due diligence, and selection of additional members to the Uptake portfolio. Finally, you will quarterback many of the cross-community introductions and collaboration opportunities between startups, corporate partners, investors, and other ecosystem stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management
• Maintain regular correspondence with an active portfolio of up to 30 companies to track growth and progress towards program goals
• Support an ever-growing community of startup alumni, ensuring continued access to basic program resources and community
• Coordinate mentorship, facilitated workshops, and investor introductions to ensure the delivery of a high-quality curriculum and high-value program
• Support the development and maintenance of our portfolio management process including tool selection, CRM optimization, and standardization of operating procedure
• Portfolio Selection
• Support the design, implementation and evolution of recruitment and selection strategies that align with Uptake’s mission
• Connect with the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem to identify and recruit the most impactful and relevant climate ventures
• Keep up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies in at least one of our core sectors of energy, buildings, or transportation
• Cross-functional Support
• Serve as the public face of Uptake Alliance for all programming involving startup participants, including virtual and in-person events and ongoing general communication
• Deliver high-quality reports to our multiple stakeholders to provide progress updates on our program development
• Coordinate with our Marketing and Events team to put together high quality events for our portfolio of startups and partners

Location

We have a heavy preference for candidates based in New York, but will consider remote candidates in MA, NY.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant or related field
• Proven experience with 2+ years experience in program management or stakeholder engagement, ideally with a startup support organization
• Interest and experience in one or more of the following sectors: energy, buildings, transportation, or industry
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities to foster relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Prior experience with CRM tools such as Salesforce, Hubspot, etc 
• Team player who enjoys working with and managing stakeholders toward common goals
• Demonstrated passion for affecting innovative, sustainable, and equitable solutions in the climate space
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
• Preferably prior experience in an entrepreneurial environment, including a startup, venture capital, accelerator/incubator, or grantmaking organization

Benefits

• Salary range: $70,000-90,000 base 
• Performance bonus
• Other benefits: 
• Management carve-out (similar to equity)
• 401(k)
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Life insurance
• Hybrid/remote work environment
• Unlimited vacation policy
• Telecommuter allowances