Who we are

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) is a not-for-profit organisation that works with partners to alleviate disadvantage and towards an Australia where all people and communities thrive. We influence systems to deliver better social outcomes for people by learning about what works in communities, helping organisations be more effective, sharing our perspectives and advocating for change.

The Impact Investing team

The team connects private capital to the social sector, developing opportunities for investors seeking an appropriate risk-adjusted return alongside measurable social impact. SVA is a leader in the Australian impacting investing market and was awarded Impact Investing Asset Manager of the Year at the 2018 Impact Investing Summit Conference.

The Impact Investing team’s mandate is domestic and covers unlisted debt, venture capital, private equity, real assets, infrastructure investments and Social Impact Bonds (SIBs). SVA has a broad and established investor base, ranging from high net worth individuals, trusts and foundations to large superannuation funds.

Currently managing (or involved in the management of) 3 funds (the $15M Diversified Impact Fund, the $90M+ Social Impact Investment Trust and the recently launched Synergis Fund) and 5 SIBs, the Impact Investing team also provides capacity building support to social enterprises through its Upscaler initiative.

The position

The Director, Impact Investing is a key member of the Impact Investing team in an exciting growth phase of the business. This role will have two main elements:

(i) continuing to deploy SVA’s Diversified Impact Fund (DIF)

• a $15M fund which aims to achieve a diversified portfolio of debt, equity, and SIB impact investments
• has made 10 investments
• is approximately 50% deployed
• will continue to deploy through to the end of its investment period in December 2022
• will continue to remain on foot after the end of its maturity in December 2027, and

(ii) developing, raising, deploying, and managing an early-stage investment fund

• in the early stages of investigating the feasibility of an early-stage fund (potential debt and equity)
• the fund concept (including research with potential investees, investors, and philanthropic sponsors) will be refined, and internal approvals achieved
• investment and philanthropic funding to be raised

For both key elements this role will be responsible for deal origination, due diligence, transaction execution, portfolio management and investor relations.

Who you are

The ideal candidate will have a successful track record in Funds Management (Impact Investing, Private Equity or Venture Capital) or Investment and/ or Corporate Banking. This will be combined with demonstrated knowledge, passion, and commitment to working in the social sector and on society’s most important challenges.

Critical attributes include:

• Demonstrated expert knowledge of debt and equity products and how these can be structured and applied in the investment sector (particularly in the early-stage investing space).
• Expert knowledge of credit and investment risks and the ability to analyse, articulate and solve for specific risks.
• High level relationship building, influencing and negotiation skills, including the ability to raise capital, manage investor and portfolio relationships and represent SVA publicly.

Ideally, informed perspectives and strong relationships across one or more of Australia’s social sector, affordable housing, or startup sector will feature in the ideal candidate’s professional experience.

Special requirements

Ability to travel nationally as required.

SVA values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of colour. We value people of all abilities and diversity of culture, faith, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome unique contributions and perspectives of all people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we work with and live in.

To find out more about SVA and view the position description please go to www.socialventures.com.au/careers.

If you have the experience and knowledge we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please submit your CV (max 3 pages) and a statement (max 2 pages) addressing the person requirements.

Please note we may consider applications on an ongoing basis and therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity.