Principal, Ventures

About Energize Capital

Energize Capital is a leading, multi-stage investor focused on capitalizing the transition to a digitized and decarbonized economy. Energize invests in software and services businesses, targeting asset-light, digitally-enabled solutions that drive innovation and scale across the climate, energy and industrial verticals. Deploying capital through both its venture capital (Ventures) and private equity (Endurance) strategies, Energize has funded nearly 40 companies and deployed more than $970 million to date.

The Energize team has deep heritage as investors, operators and innovators in the energy transition. The team leverages this domain expertise to guide its research-based investment approach and to drive growth and scale across its portfolio after initial investment.

About the Role

We are seeking a Principal – Ventures to play a leading role on Energize’s early-stage venture capital team. This is a senior investment position designed for a proven investor ready to take on greater ownership, leadership, and deal responsibility within a growing platform.

The role spans the full lifecycle of venture investing, from market research and thematic development through sourcing, diligence, underwriting, deal execution, and ongoing portfolio engagement. The Principal will lead investments and represent Energize in board governance and portfolio value creation efforts, working closely with portfolio company leadership teams to support strategic growth and long-term value creation.

In addition, the Principal will collaborate closely with Energize’s Edge portfolio services and Operations teams to ensure strong portfolio outcomes and seamless firm operations. The Principal – Ventures will report to our Partner and Co-Head of Ventures.

Our successful candidate has a strong track record of early-stage investing at the intersection of energy, climate, industrials, and emerging technology trends, including AI, cloud software, data, and analytics. Energize has a team-first, highly collaborative culture; accordingly, in addition to exceptional investment credentials, candidates with strong emotional intelligence and demonstrated experience thriving in team-based environments will be prioritized.

Responsibilities

• Source and lead potential investment opportunities aligned with the Ventures strategy
• Create and own investment deep dives and theses within Energize Capital’s focus areas
• Conduct in-depth market research, industry analysis, and due diligence on investments
• Develop and review financial models, perform valuation analyses, and assess investment risks
• Support the execution of investment transactions, including deal structuring
• Monitor portfolio company performance and own value creation initiatives
• Represent Energize as a Board Director/Observer
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Edge and Operations
• Build and manage a network of executives, investors, and operator
• Manage an active travel schedule (20 - 40%) in support of sourcing, diligence, and portfolio engagement

Skills & Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in energy or technology, including 5+ years of investing experience
• MBA or Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, engineering or a related field
• Passion for emerging megatrends in climate, energy and the digitization of critical industries
• Strong track record of investment origination and deal leadership; leading indicators of strong investment returns and concrete portfolio value creation work
• Experience with start-up governance, ideally multiple examples of serving on Boards of Directors
• Expertise in financial modeling, including investment underwriting, bottoms-up operating model builds, cash flow analysis, scenario and sensitivity analysis, liquidation waterfall modeling, etc.
• Exceptional written and communication skills; good organizational skills with the ability to multi-task (i.e. simultaneously execute multiple transactions in addition to portfolio work) 

Leadership Traits

• Executive presence and influence: Earns trust and commands the room while maintaining strong, positive relationships.
• Strategic thinker + operational executor: Equally comfortable setting direction and rolling up sleeves.
• Highly credible communicator: Clear, confident, and effective with internal teams, portfolio executives, founders, and LPs.
• Relationship-first approach: Builds trust and rapport quickly across levels and functions.
• Builder mentality: Excels in environments where systems and processes are being created and scaled from the ground up.
• Mission-orientation: Passionate for work consistent with the Energize thesis, sectors of coverage and technology category focus.

Location

This is a Chicago based role. When not traveling, our team works in office Monday through Thursday, with the option to be remote on Fridays. Our employees must reside within a commutable distance from our Chicago HQ (which is located in the Loop).

Compensation & Perks

Base Salary: $200,000 - $250,000 (Bonus eligible commensurate with performance)

Energize Capital is proud to offer employees a wide range of benefits to support personal well-being, growth, and professional development. Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Comprehensive health, vision, dental, and HSA from day one of employment
• 401k matching
• Generous paid time off in addition to 10 company holidays and a flexible winter holiday schedule
• Market-leading parental leave policy and family planning benefits
• Health club reimbursement
• Continuing education stipend
• Lunch provided on in-office days
• Daily Coffee stipend for in-office days

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

This role will remain open for applications through March 15^th

We look forward to hearing from you!