Leuven Future Fund (LFF) Portfolio Manager (ref. ATP-2024-554)

Are you passionate about driving the future of biomedical innovation? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where scientific excellence meets strategic decision-making? If you’re eager to dive into the world of emerging biotech, cutting-edge life science innovation platforms, and high-growth opportunities, this role offers the perfect place to cultivate your career in innovation management. KU Leuven Research & Development (LRD) builds bridges between science and society. As a technology transfer service of the KU Leuven Association, we guide scientists to put their research results at the service of society, the economy and the living environment. Our multidisciplinary team has a solid experience in setting up research collaborations, protecting and licensing intellectual property and establishing spin-offs. Through a unique network, we connect researchers with companies, but also with governments, investors and other organizations, so that we can respond together to the needs of society. In this way we are building a world ready for tomorrow, with today's excellent research. KU Leuven is seeking a motivated LFF Portfolio Manager to lead this innovation investment fund, dedicated to supporting transformative biomedical platforms with the potential to revolutionize biomedicine while achieving ambitious business outcomes.

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Responsibilities

The LFF Portfolio Manager will identify and support 5 – 7 growth-stage pioneering biomedical innovation platforms at KU Leuven and UZ Leuven. He or she will oversee project screening and selection, conduct thorough due diligence, and coordinate pitch sessions, providing valuable feedback to project teams. Close follow-up of valorization milestones of each funded platform will be a pivotal aspect of the job, ensuring timely reporting and remediation of any issues in alignment with the platform academic and business leadership. 

Collaborating closely with - and streamlined reporting to - the LFF Steering Board, the Portfolio Manager will develop investment theses aligned with the fund’s strategic goals, monitor project performance, and ensure clear communication of each projects’ insights, challenges and progress.

The Portfolio Manager’s ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders—including researchers, LRD, industry partners, funding and investor community, entrepreneurs and academic leaders—will be essential in fostering collaboration and driving impactful projects. He or she will also stay informed on market trends and emerging technologies, using this knowledge to guide investment decisions and surface new opportunities. This position offers a unique platform to shape the future of biomedicine within an innovative academic environment.

As a successful candidate you will stand out in the following tasks:

• Project Screening & Selection: Add value by following up relevant sector trends and keeping a close eye on financial and regulatory developments. Develop knowledge about the competitive landscape of the project in portfolio to offer insightful benchmarking;

• Pitch Coordination: Organize and facilitate pitch sessions, providing strategic feedback to project teams to enhance their proposals and presentations. After funding, prepare reports on project progress and performance for the Steering Board, ensuring clear communication of insights, challenges, and opportunities of funded projects;

• Due Diligence: Conduct comprehensive due diligence, including financial analysis, market assessments, competitive landscape evaluations, and risk assessments to determine project viability;

• Strategy and Portfolio Management of the Fund: Collaborate with the Steering Board to create investment theses that align with the fund's strategic objectives and market opportunities. Monitor the performance of funded projects, providing ongoing analysis and support to ensure they meet milestones and financial targets;

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including researchers, industry partners, and academic leaders, to facilitate collaboration and innovation.

Profile

• You have a Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field or a combination thereof or equivalent through experience ;

• You have proven experience in investment analysis, project management, preferably within the biomedical sector;

• You possess strong analytical skills with a solid understanding of financial modeling and risk assessment;

• You are an excellent communicator and presenter, with the ability to liaise with academic as well as business communities;

• You have the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

Offer

• We offer a full-time position with a permanent role in an innovative environment in the center of Leuven;

• A competitive, market-conform salary, matching the job responsibilities and taking into account your experience;

• Additional benefits including free hospitalization and group insurance, additional holidays, bicycle allowance, free public transport and ecocheques;

• A hybrid working environment and teleworking allowance. 

https://lrd.kuleuven.be/spinoff/index

Interested?

For more information please contact Mrs. Lieve Mommaerts tel.: +32 16 37 76 89.Join us in driving innovation and making a difference in biomedicine!

You can apply for this job no later than December 04, 2024 via the online application tool