Manager, Okta Ventures

Okta is a trusted platform to secure every identity, from customers to your workforce. More than 9,400 organizations trust Okta’s software and APIs to sign in, authorize, and manage users.  Okta Ventures plays a critical role in seeding the new crop of innovative, enterprise software companies enabling new use cases in security, identity, and privacy. Okta Ventures invests in seed to late-stage technology software companies, across the consumer, enterprise, crypto, and fintech spaces. Okta Ventures is anchored by our values focused on innovation, transparency, and integrity in our work with founders. Okta Ventures has made 30+ investments since inception in 2019 with 5 plus successful exits. We target 10+ investments per year. Learn more about Okta Ventures at: www.okta.com/okta-ventures

Manager, Okta Ventures

The Okta Ventures Manager will source, identify, evaluate, and build the case for investments in the most innovative early-stage enterprise software startups.  This position reports to the Head of Okta Ventures and will work on a small and committed team with excellent opportunity to learn the entire venture life cycle. This role is based in San Francisco and has an expectation of at least 3 days a week in office.

What you’ll be doing 

• Generate and manage sourcing and high volume of investment deal flow
• Take initial screening meetings and escalate promising opportunities 
• Drive partnerships and awareness of Okta Ventures within the startup and investment ecosystems, including venture capitalists, investment bankers, external accelerators
• Assist in deal negotiations and due diligence efforts inclusive of reviewing industries, products, customers, and competitors by evaluating market sizing, technology walkthroughs, industry trends, competitive landscapes, and financial modeling  
• Analyze financial and operational information relating to potential investments and portfolio companies, e.g. company results, profit and loss, growth rates, market share
• Facilitate commercial and strategic partnership opportunities for the portfolio including sales, marketing, technical integrations, and business development 
• Assist in creation of executive materials, deal memos
• Research technology trends and market landscapes to development investment theses 
• Engage with internal business leaders to evaluate trends 
• Assist in preparation of financial reporting documentation
• Collaborate cross-functionally with administrative and investment team members to drive projects to completion
• Participate in periodic updates to appropriate executive management groups
• Develop thought leadership content such as industry reports and insights from portfolio founders
• Organize and participate in industry events with other venture capital firms

What you’ll bring to the role

• 3-5+ years of relevant professional work experience in enterprise software including exposure to venture capital
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, STEM / engineering, or other applicable fields 
• Experience with cloud software vendors and their strategies/business models
• Effective communicator, ability to convey complex ideas in a clear, concise manner both verbally and in writing; comfortable in business and technical discussions
• A natural collaborator with bias to action, low ego, and a proactive disposition
• Experience in building trusting relationships and influencing others (including senior and executive audiences)
• Ability to build and cultivate long-lasting relationships
• Collaborative team player who is also an independent thinker
• Self-starter who thrives and can multitask in fast-paced and often ambiguous environments
• Some experience with financial modeling
• Passion for technology, startups, learning new things, and investing
• Exposure to product and/or go-to-market functions within a high growth company
• Independent project management and presentation skills are a must

Last updated on Aug 15, 2024