Job Details

Director UT Ventures, UT Research Foundation - UT System

Position Number: 6544412
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Economic and Business Development

Director UT Ventures, UT Research Foundation - UT System
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 4650
Job Category: Administrative
Posting Date: 09/04/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 400 W Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37902, US

Job Description
The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) assists the University of Tennessee (University or UT) in cultivating an environment inclusive of scientific and entrepreneurial excellence. UT Ventures, a program, recently established under UTRF, is a network of accredited investor alumni and friends (Angels) interested in being presented with opportunities to invest in early- to growth-stage companies (Companies or startups) that are led by UT graduates, are licensees of UT technology and/or are engaged in UT's extensive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Responsible for the core functions of UT Ventures, ranging from maintaining the Angel network, through sourcing of Companies, to managing investment execution as directed by participating Angels and portfolio management, while also contributing to UT Ventures' strategy, operations, and reporting. Reporting to the President of UTRF and working closely with University stakeholders and Angel investors to help identify and accelerate promising Companies with connections to the University.

This is a new position within UTRF. Subject to the UTRF President's oversight and final approval, the Director will be required to systematically envision, establish, document, implement and refine UT Ventures processes, protocols and procedures to organize and operate UT Ventures as a financially-sound, University-aligned enterprise, including maintenance of the Angel network, outreach and vetting of Companies, hosting on a regular cadence Company pitch presentations for Angels and facilitating follow-ups of interested Angel investors with Companies, being the point of contact with the third-party provider of special purpose vehicle (SPV) administration, and identifying, capturing and reporting on UT Ventures performance metrics.

Responsibilities
Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Senior Analyst

Conduct preliminary objective analysis for early- and growth-stage prospective Companies interested in making pitches to UT Ventures members for investments, and conducting market sizing and analysis, reference checks, and high-level financial analysis
Coordinating with campuses to permit venture interested students to do academic analysis on startups
Drive deal sourcing strategies by leveraging industry networks and direct outreach efforts
Track and report portfolio performance metrics
Conduct introductory meetings with UT-related startups to objectively assess fit and determine readiness for investment
Foster and manage strong relationships with portfolio companies to drive growth, innovation, and long-term value creation
Coordinate the formation and operation of ad-hoc alumni advisory committees to do screening of startups to ensure the most promising startups are bought to the entire network

Operations Manager

Lead alumni investor communications and the formation and administration of SPVs for Angel investments.
Organizing and managing investor meetings, maintaining the network's member platform, and strengthening engagement across UT Ventures
Provide timely communication to members of network regarding UT-related startups each month to present to the Angel network
Point of contact for alumni on questions regarding working with SPV platform, SPV - Company interface, and coordinating information between Angels and provider of SPV platform
Assist in the expansion and strategic management of UT Ventures
Manage and grow the Angel network, including onboarding new members, timely renewing memberships, and facilitating engagement through events and communications
Create and maintain a UT Venture environment of compliance, free of conflicts of interest, transparent to Angels and Companies, protective of Company and Angel confidential information, objectively assessing potential Companies without giving investment advice to either Angels or Companies, in consultation with responsible UTRF officers, advisors and counsel.

Other

Travel to conferences and events to meet with potential startups and investors
Prepare reports for UTRF President.
Conduct data collection and analysis to uncover unique insights on how UT Ventures investments positively impact the State of Tennessee and the broader investment ecosystem
Coordinate with various campus advancement offices on alumni engagement
Maintain contacts with peer university angel investor networks for comparisons and best practices
UT Ventures, UT and UTRF are not investment advisors and do not provide investment advice to either Angels or Companies. An important part of this position is the ability and willingness to strictly refrain from giving or creating the appearance of giving investment advice.
To avoid any conflict of interest, the individual holding this position shall not hold any financial interest in any Companies.

Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or a STEM degree and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative experience.

Additional skills, experiences, and qualifications include:

Experience in technology transfer, business development, startup accelerators, venture capital or angel investing.
Excellent communication abilities, both written and oral.
Firm understanding of startup and investment environment.
Ability to read and understand financials and business plan.
Ability to multitask.
Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree, Doctoral degree, Venture Capital and 3+ years of technology transfer, business development, venture capital or angel investing.

Application Process
For full consideration, applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, a resume, and three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately.

Benefits and Compensation
Compensation for the position is budgeted at $110,000 to $125,000 depending on education and experience.

The individual will be an employee of the University, assigned to UTRF. All UT policies, rules and regulations pertaining to UT employees shall apply to this position.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee's benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/

About Us
The University of Tennessee System is the state's oldest higher education institution and preeminent public university. The UT System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin; the Health Science Center at Memphis; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service. With a presence in each of Tennessee's 95 counties and through the combined force of education, research and outreach, the University serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations and residents statewide.

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/4650/?mode=location