Portfolio Principal - Octopus Ventures (Apollo)

Job Overview

Octopus Ventures – Portfolio Principal
With £1.5 billion under management and investing over £100 m a year, Octopus Ventures is one of the largest and most active venture investors in Europe. Our typical investment is from £1 m for Seed to £20 m for Series C and we can continue to fund the companies we back right through to IPO.

Our investment team is built to specialise in the areas we believe will change the world for the better: health, fintech, B2B software, deep tech and consumer. We back ‘pioneers’ and use the term very deliberately to carve out that subset of entrepreneurs who are truly breaking new ground. Since 2008 we have backed nearly 120 teams, including Lodgify, bSport, Zoopla, and Secret Escapes.

Application Closing Date

Tuesday 13th January

Role

We’re seeking an experienced and proactive Portfolio Principal to join our team with a focus on B2B software. This role is pivotal in overseeing, optimising, and driving the performance of portfolio companies, with a focus on companies requiring strategic growth interventions, preparation for exit, operational or financial restructuring or other adjustments to strategy. Ideally you’ll have a proven track record in enhancing portfolio value within the VC or relevant unquoted investment space (such as an experienced scaleup board member).

Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management: manage a diverse portfolio of venture or growth investments, with an emphasis on driving value creation and enhancing and protecting the position of the fund’s investments.
• Value Maximisation and Liquidity: identify, recommend, and implement strategies for portfolio assets to maximize returns, coordinating with the funds’ investment operations and finance teams, and drive to exit when optimal.
• Strategic Improvements: work directly with portfolio companies’ management teams to identify performance gaps and implement strategic changes to enhance growth and profitability.
• Stakeholder Engagement: maintain active relationships with portfolio company boards, executives and stakeholders, offering guidance, resources and support for effective strategies. Octopus Ventures is normally a significant minority investor in portfolio companies with a board directorship.
• Investment Recommendations: conduct in-depth analysis to support follow‑on investment decisions, including preparing Investment Committee papers and being involved in related investment decisions.
• Market Analysis & Research: keep abreast of industry trends, economic conditions, and competitive landscapes to inform and adjust portfolio strategies as needed.
• Reporting & Documentation: prepare and input into regular reports on portfolio performance, highlighting key operational metrics, potential risks, and strategic recommendations for senior management and investors.

Qualifications

• ✅ Significant experience in unquoted investment portfolio management, turnaround management or driving operational performance (of investee companies), within venture capital, private equity, operational executives (e.g. multiple scaleup CFOs) or a similar asset class.
• ✅ Experience within the B2B software space would be an advantage.
• ✅ Strong analytical and financial skills, with a deep understanding of valuation, financial analysis, and operational performance metrics.
• ✅ Demonstrated ability to influence and lead portfolio company management teams and Boards, especially from a perspective of being a minority investor.
• ✅ Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment and adapt to the needs of portfolio companies across different stages of growth and industry sectors.
• ✅ Proactive and solutions‑oriented, with a history of successfully navigating challenges and improving performance.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, bonus, pension and share incentive plan
• ✈️ Untracked holiday
• Hybrid working – our people spend 3 days a week in the office
• ⚓ Anchor wellness hub, including Headspace, one‑to‑one coaching through Wellness Cloud, Digital GP, Shout & more
• Up to 6 months paid parental leave regardless of gender
• ❤️ Life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection
• Private medical insurance for you and your family
• Electric vehicle leasing

Values & EEO

At our core, we believe that how a company behaves is just as important as what it does. That’s why we chose to become an accredited B Corp and to change our Articles of Association so that the interests of all our stakeholders – employees, customers, communities, environment and shareholders – are considered in every decision we make.

We are committed to building a workplace where diversity is valued, and inclusion is a priority. By providing equal opportunities for growth and development, we embrace and celebrate all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, and socio‑economic backgrounds. We believe teams achieve their best when every member feels safe, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves.

We’re proud to be disability confident and are committed to supporting candidates with a disability, including neurodiversity and mental health conditions, throughout the recruitment process. Applicants are welcome to opt‑in to the disability confident scheme as part of our application process. If you require any adjustments to the interview process, we’ll be happy to accommodate where possible.