Investment Principal (1826)

Aramco Ventures (AV) is the corporate venturing arm of Aramco, a world-leading integrated energy and chemicals company. The mission of the strategic venturing program – our $1.5 billion sustainability fund and $500MM digital/industrial fund – is to invest globally into start-up and high-growth companies with technologies of strategic importance to Aramco, accelerating their development and deployment in Aramco’s operations.

Established in 2012 with an initial capital allocation of $500MM, AV is a leading corporate venturing program globally and within the energy industry. The Sustainability fund, announced in October 2022, supports Aramco’s ambitions to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions across its wholly owned operated assets by 2050, development of new lower-carbon fuels businesses, and furthering Aramco’s broader environmental objectives. The original $500 million fund is now evergreen and refocused on digital and industrial technologies that add value to Aramco’s operations.

About the role

The Investment Principal supports all aspects of venture capital investing in the Western Hemisphere, including sourcing, evaluation, investment memoranda development, negotiation, execution, portfolio management, performance reporting, and exits. This position focuses on investments in downstream oil & gas, energy efficiency, digitization, enterprise software for large industrial corporates (including AI), renewable energy, and water technologies.

Regional investment teams identify and execute investment opportunities in North America, Europe, and globally, coordinating with Saudi Aramco entities, performing due diligence, and leading portfolio management.

Responsibilities

• Deal Sourcing & Screening
  • Develop networks with the venture capital community, including investors, portfolio companies, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, universities, and research centers in North America.
  • Source quality deals through networking and maintain a deal flow & contact database.
  • Support screening processes to vet deals through strategic value and economic soundness.
  • Perform site visits, calls, and interviews with start-up management.
  • Create, contribute to, or maintain investment theses relevant to AV’s mandate.
  • Leverage AI tools to augment sourcing and screening activities.
• Investment Process
  • Coordinate and lead in-depth company and market evaluations, covering management, technology/IP, financials, market potential, competitive positioning, governance, and structure.
  • Develop comprehensive Investment Memoranda for Investment Committee review.
  • Provide professional recommendations on investments.
  • Lead Term Sheet development and negotiation.
  • Coordinate legal due diligence with counsel and execute investment deals.
• Portfolio Management
  • Represent equity ownership in portfolio companies through board seats or observer roles.
  • Monitor and add value to investments.
  • Coordinate timely information on company-related issues to headquarters and management.
  • Develop strategies and execution plans for follow-on investments.
  • Coordinate strategic value generation via interfaces with Saudi Aramco.
  • Support portfolio companies to ensure their success and add value.
  • Identify and mitigate risks associated with portfolio investments.
• Deal Exits
  • Develop exit strategy options and recommendations for Investment Committee review.
  • Negotiate exit terms and agreements with portfolio companies and partners.
  • Execute the exit process.
• Team Management
  • Lead individual investment processes and collaborate to achieve team goals.
  • Train and manage the development of corporate professionals as requested.
• Reporting & Communication
  • Oversee periodic updates on portfolio performance to headquarters and management.
  • Maintain proper communication protocols with affiliate offices and support teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Sciences, Business, Finance, or equivalent technical experience. MBA or STEM graduate degree (e.g., Computer Science, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics) preferred.
• Seven years of experience, with five or more in venture capital or corporate venture capital. Energy industry experience, particularly in downstream oil & gas or “clean tech,” is highly desirable.
• Background in M&A or start-up leadership with a deep understanding of the venture capital investment process.
• Extensive hands-on investment experience across all lifecycle phases: sourcing, executing, value-adding, and exiting.
• Proven track record in venturing, with strong personal networks in the energy and digital/technology/deep tech venture capital community.
• Broad understanding of technical and market trends in energy and technology sectors.
• International experience preferred; experience as a director on investee boards is a plus.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate, support, and challenge ideas.
• High integrity, accountability, and a strong work ethic; ability to adhere to company policies and work hours, with occasional irregular or after-hours work.

Skills

• Leadership: Delivers results, thinks strategically, and takes a risk-based, long-term view of the business.
• Communication: Strong oral and written skills; ability to engage proactively with peers and start-up management.
• Teamwork: Aligns actions to team goals, influences others, resolves conflicts, and removes obstacles.
• Problem Analysis: Analyzes problems logically, considers long- and short-term impacts, and develops workable solutions.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for actions, makes data-driven decisions, and follows through on commitments.
• Ethical and trustworthy with high integrity.