Position Overview

Become a part of the Energize Ventures team to deliver excellent returns and contribute to firm’s reputation as the premier energy and industrials technology venture investor. We are a small team with an entrepreneurial spirit, and this role requires flexibility, a diverse skill set, and an ability to perform at a high level on multiple fronts. We are looking for a driven, hardworking, and experienced professional to help us with fund formation, contract negotiation, and portfolio-level support.

The Head of Legal reports to the Chief Financial Officer at Energize Ventures. In their role as Head of Legal, the individual will be a part of our collaborative team and lead all legal and compliance efforts in support of our firm. This person will help shape our business. After developing a deep understanding of priorities, opportunities and challenges you will identify areas to strengthen and grow our business and take a proactive approach to supporting the firm’s objectives. The Head of Legal will serve as a critical source of experience to advise executives on important decisions to add value to the firm and minimize risk.

This is a full-time position located in Chicago. The intended start date for the role is Jan-Feb 2022

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support and advice across funds, segregated account mandates, special purpose vehicles, carried interest vehicles and other products that relate to this asset class.
• Advise the business on a wide range of legal issues relevant to the formation and maintenance of fund products, including negotiation of side letters, legal and regulatory matters as they relate to funds and separately managed accounts, as well as transactional work for such products.
• Advise investment staff on key portfolio-related documents: initial term sheets, follow-on financing documents, and ultimately exit strategy considerations
• Work closely with other members and functions (e.g., Finance, Compliance, Risk) to identify and resolve issues.
• Provide legal support for special projects and cross-alternatives initiatives 
• Perform all other duties as necessary or assigned to provide high caliber line of business legal support.

Qualifications

•        Strong foundation of trustworthiness, ethical responsibility, transparency, credibility, and humility; team-player mindset.
•        Self-motivated, highly productive, and execution-oriented; commitment to the highest quality of standards and ability to deliver value-accretive outcomes.
•        JD from an ABA-accredited law school and in good standing with Illinois State Bar.
•        Knowledge of financial services regulations (SEC, NFA), private fund governing documents and private investment agreements.
•        The ability to engage, inform and influence decisions at senior levels of the organization with a solutions-oriented mindset.
•        The ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
•        A proactive, thoughtful learner who’s confident in handling new projects and responsibilities and takes an ownership mentality in their work.
•        Must maintain a high level of professionalism and discretion, maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
•        Strong written and oral communication skills.

Prior Experience

• 5-7+ years of experience as a practicing attorney within the investment management industry with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
  
• In-house legal experience at a venture capital, private equity or hedge fund firm is strongly preferred.

Energize Ventures embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.