Senior Translation & Commercialization Manager

Description

The South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth in academia, entrepreneurship, and industry. 

The NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas (Carolinas Grid Modernization Engine) is a two-state initiative focused on development of an NSF Regional Innovation Engine ecosystem to advance grid technology innovation and adoption.

Position Summary:

SCRA seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial Senior Translation & Commercialization Manager to lead technology translation, commercialization, venture development, and market adoption activities for the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas (GMEC). This position offers a unique opportunity to help build a nationally recognized innovation ecosystem and accelerate technologies that strengthen grid reliability, resilience, and economic growth across the Carolinas. The Manager will play a pivotal role in connecting research, utilities, industry, and investment capital to bring next-generation energy technologies to market. This role is ideal for a leader with experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, energy technologies, venture development, and/or program management who can successfully operate at the intersection of research, utilities, industry, and investment capital.

As a member of the Engine Leadership Team, the Manager will report to the GMEC CEO and will be responsible for developing and managing the Engine's commercialization framework, collaborating with Joules Accelerator to identify and advance high-potential technologies, and ensuring all Translation goals, milestones, and deliverables are achieved.

Essential Functions:

• Leads the evaluation and due diligence of prospective SC Launch, Inc. investment candidates, including assessment of management teams, markets, technology, competitive positioning, business models, capitalization, financial performance, valuation, financing needs, and key investment risks. Guides candidates through the diligence and approval process by establishing expectations, coordinating workstreams, and maintaining appropriate timelines.
• Develops investment recommendations and advises on transaction structure, including valuation, capitalization, ownership, governance, financing terms, and other considerations appropriate to the company’s stage and risk profile. Prepares investment memoranda and presents findings, recommendations, risks, proposed terms, and strategic considerations to the Executive Director, internal leadership, and SC Launch, Inc. Board.
• Partners with the Executive Director, Regional Directors, Finance, legal counsel, and other internal stakeholders to identify and prioritize investment candidates, support investment decisions, and develop and consistently apply investment policies, procedures, contractual requirements, and related documentation.
• Leads investor relations and capital connectivity efforts by developing and maintaining relationships with venture capital and private equity firms, corporate investors, family offices, angel groups, and other capital providers. Supports co-investment and syndication opportunities and connects investment-ready client and portfolio companies with appropriate sources of follow-on capital.
• Contributes to portfolio oversight, analytics, and reporting by monitoring company and investment performance, identifying emerging risks and opportunities, supporting contractual compliance, and working with Finance and other stakeholders to strengthen valuation practices, portfolio analytics, fund-level reporting, and measurement of financial and mission-related outcomes.
• Prepares and contributes to Board and executive-level investment and portfolio communications, including portfolio reports, performance information, presentations, and other materials, ensuring a high degree of accuracy, sound judgment, and professionalism.
• Leads and supports investment-related education, investor engagement, and external activities, including training for client companies and staff, investor-focused programs and events, and participation in relevant regional and national conferences. Identifies private, strategic, philanthropic, and public-sector funding sources that may support client and portfolio companies.
•  Represents SC Launch, Inc. professionally with investors, founders, Board members, academic institutions, industry partners, economic development organizations, and other stakeholders, and performs other duties as assigned in support of program and organizational objectives.
• Additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, technology, science, or a related discipline, with seven or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in venture capital, private equity, private-asset investing, corporate development, investment banking, early-stage company finance, or a closely related field. An advanced degree or relevant professional credential is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working within or in partnership with institutional investment firms, corporate venture groups, family offices, economic development funds, or other professionally managed investment organizations, with strong knowledge of venture capital, private equity, and private-asset investment practices.
• Experience evaluating seed- and early-stage technology companies and leading investment activities, including sourcing, underwriting, due diligence, financial analysis, valuation, transaction structuring, capitalization, governance, portfolio monitoring, and exit considerations.
• Experience preparing and presenting investment memoranda, valuation assessments, portfolio reviews, and recommendations to senior leaders, Boards, and investment committees, as well as reviewing term sheets, capitalization tables, financing agreements, investor rights documents, and other investment-related materials in coordination with legal and financial advisors.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with investors, founders, Board members, and ecosystem partners and to support capital formation, co-investment, syndication, and follow-on fundraising for early-stage and growth-oriented companies.
• Strong understanding of mission-oriented and economic development investing, with the judgment to balance financial stewardship and commercial investment considerations with strategic impact, commercialization, company growth, and job creation.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including leading complex investment and portfolio assignments, mentoring and coaching team members, supporting professional development, coordinating stakeholders, and conducting effective team meetings or stand-ups that promote accountability, communication, and collaboration.
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, analytical, and executive presentation skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant CRM, portfolio management, market research, and financial analysis tools. Experience with HubSpot is preferred. Ability to travel primarily within South Carolina, with periodic regional or national travel.