Senior Associate, Investments & Fund Partnerships - Third Derivative

Overview

This role supports climate technology startups in accessing the capital they need to grow and scale. Working across the organization’s startup portfolio, the Senior Associate will identify financing needs and help deliver appropriate capital solutions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver capital solutions to startups

  • Work directly with startups to understand financing needs, readiness, and potential capital pathways.
  • Advise founders on fundraising strategy, including type and timing of capital, investor targeting, financing trade-offs, and preparation for investor conversations.
  • Connect startups with relevant investors and capital providers across venture equity, strategic capital, debt, project finance, non-dilutive and catalytic capital, and other financing pathways.
  • Help companies understand investor requirements and what needs to be true to successfully access different forms of capital.
  • Track portfolio financing needs and outcomes to identify recurring challenges and opportunities to provide additional support.

• Build and activate the capital ecosystem

  • Develop and deepen relationships with investors and capital providers relevant to portfolio companies.
  • Build a strong understanding of investor mandates, investment criteria, and emerging areas of interest to enable targeted, high-quality introductions.
  • Create opportunities for meaningful engagement between startups and capital partners, including curated introductions, investor sessions, and other targeted programming.
  • Use insights from investors and startups to identify gaps between capital available in the market and portfolio financing needs.

• Support investment and capital solutions strategy

  • Support deployment and management of existing investment vehicles and contribute an investor perspective to startup selection and portfolio strategy.
  • Track portfolio financing needs and outcomes to identify recurring capital gaps and opportunities to provide additional support.
  • Where relevant, research and evaluate potential new capital solutions, partnerships, or investment vehicles that respond to portfolio needs.
  • Support the design, fundraising, structuring, and implementation of new capital initiatives as opportunities emerge.
  • Turn company- and portfolio-level experience into insights, tools, and recommendations that strengthen the broader approach to supporting startups’ capital needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4+ years of relevant professional experience in venture capital, impact investing, investment banking, private credit, project finance, startup finance, entrepreneurial support, or related field.
• Solid understanding of how early- and growth-stage companies raise and structure capital and how investors evaluate opportunities.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including comfort interpreting company financials, capitalization structures, investment terms, and financing scenarios.
• Experience working directly with startups, investors, or other capital providers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial concepts for different audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams independently and operate effectively in ambiguous or evolving environments.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively across entrepreneurs, investors, technical experts, and internal teams.
• A systems-oriented mindset: ability to identify patterns across individual situations and translate them into repeatable tools, processes, or solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience investing in or supporting climate technology companies.
• Experience across multiple forms of capital beyond traditional venture equity (e.g., venture debt, project finance, asset-backed finance, non-dilutive capital, or blended/catalytic finance).
• Experience designing or launching investment vehicles, financing products, or capital programs.
• Experience working with technically complex or capital-intensive companies.
• Familiarity with climate technology markets and the financing challenges associated with scaling new technologies.
• Existing relationships across the climate investment and financing ecosystem.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $84,170-$103,739
  • New hires typically start toward the lower end of the range, depending on experience and alignment with the role’s scope.
• Annual bonus target: 5%
• Eligibility for merit-based increases tied to both individual and organizational performance.
• Benefits include:
  • Medical, dental, vision insurance
  • 403b retirement match with immediate vesting
  • Group life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability
  • Optional voluntary life, AD&D and accident plans
  • Health savings or flexible spending accounts
  • Fertility and hormonal health support
  • Mental health and wellness support
  • Comprehensive leaves of absence (including generous parental leave)
  • Generous paid time off and sick leave
  • Paid sabbatical leave
  • Regional holidays with at least one extended break in each geography
  • Work from home and home technology allowances
  • Learning & development opportunities (LinkedIn Learning and an annual individual professional development budget)
  • Potential for bonuses and merit increases
  • Discount marketplace (gym memberships, pet insurance, etc.)
  • Hybrid / remote work options
  • Team retreats and geographic meetups
  • Rewards and recognition programs

Location

This is a remote-ready role with team members around the globe. U.S. offices are in New York City; Washington DC; Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado, and Basalt, Colorado.

• Work location: Can be located from anywhere in the continental United States.
• Travel: Requires travel at least once a month.

The role includes essential IT equipment, a one-time home technology payment, and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to set up a home office and necessary supplies. Occasional in-person meetings are also expected, and travel costs are covered.