Vice President, Impact Investing (Sunnyvale)
Hedge Impact headhunting, Sunnyvale, CA, United States
New Mandate: Function - Head of Impact Investing
Title: VP, Impact-First Investing
Summary Our client is a one-of-a-kind, fully-funded, and global organization that provides tailored guidance dedicated to catalyzing transformational capital specifically for climate solutions. With secure, long-term backing from a coalition of experienced funders, their client is the climate.
We are seeking a visionary Executive Leader to build a brand-new capability dedicated to impact-first and catalytic climate investing. This is a rare entrepreneurial mandate within a highly resourced, deeply secure environment. You will architect the strategy from first principles, guiding ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, families, and family offices to seamlessly integrate catalytic capital into their broader climate and impact portfolio.
Managerial Responsibilities As the practice lead, you will orchestrate a dedicated, four-person impact-first investing pod. This agile team will consist of both a direct report and two highly specialized diligence experts embedded within the global climate strategies team (which diligences philanthropic projects). You will also manage the work products from internal and external communications experts. This structure provides you with a flexible, cross-functional resource base to scale the practice and test effectiveness.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Practice Development & Strategy Design, launch, and lead the impact-first investing advisory practice, defining the metrics, frameworks, and global strategy. Bridge the gap by translating complex climate deal structures into actionable, high-impact strategies - cutting through the jargon to deploy institutional-scale capital. Leverage and expand upon a growing advisory group of prominent industry experts and co-investors, drawing on their technical expertise and market insights to continuously elevate the practice. Oversee initiatives designed to educate the public on how impact-first investing can benefit important climate work, supported by the firm’s communications and events team.
UHNW Advisory & Internal Integration Serve as the trusted, highly credible guide for billionaire principals and discerning family office Chief Investment Officers (CIOs). Operate with absolute objectivity in an educational and advisory capacity - advising families on the impact and appropriateness of market-based solutions and tailoring your bespoke advice to the specific missions of each individual principal. Partner closely with the internal existing relationship managers to upskill the wider organization on impact-first investing approaches to complement their existing skills in philanthropic advising for climate impact. Partner with the communications team to integrate impact investing offerings across core brand and digital and print materials.
Success Criteria An Expert in UHNW Dynamics
- You have extensive, highly nuanced experience navigating complex family wealth, legacy planning, and principal engagement. You excel at collaborating closely with highly skilled philanthropic advisors, ensuring a family’s impact-first investments and traditional philanthropy are woven into one seamless, unified climate strategy. An Intrapreneurial Builder
- You possess true start-up DNA, and also know how to build within an established powerhouse. You thrive in a greenfield environment, as well as understanding the synergies of building this new practice to seamlessly integrate with, amplify, and draw upon the immense success of the existing advisory organization. A Private Sector Leader
- You possess demonstrable credibility from traditional finance, venture capital, or impact investing. You know exactly what a rigorous, catalytic deal looks like and can communicate complex themes in simple terms and guide others to do so. Mission-First Focus
- You prioritize global climate impact, collaborating seamlessly across subject-matter experts and relationship teams to drive a unified strategy.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Private Sector Credibility:
Deep, proven credibility from the private investment sector, with a track record in impact-first or catalytic capital. Communication:
Ability to bridge the gap between complex financial mechanisms and straightforward, compelling advisory counsel for principals. Subject Matter Expertise:
Deep understanding of the climate investment landscape, able to clearly articulate how different capital types (from philanthropic to venture) can complement each other. Leadership:
Experience building and leading a team in a dynamic start-up environment.
Education and Experience Extensive executive experience working with UHNW individuals and family offices. Demonstrated history of successfully designing, launching, and scaling new advisory, investment, or philanthropic capabilities.
Work Environment The organization is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, with additional hubs in New York, Washington DC, and London. This position operates in a hybrid environment and is planned to be based in the San Francisco, CA office, with an option to be based in New York City. Staff in the San Francisco Bay Area work in the office Tuesday through Thursday each week.
Compensation & Benefits Base Salary:
$475,000 - $550,000 per year - This is a fixed compensation rate; the role does not include an annual bonus or carried interest. Benefits:
We offer a generous, comprehensive benefits package that includes premium health insurance plans, dental, vision, and life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, 401(k) matching (up to 9%), 17 paid holidays per year, and unlimited time off.
How to Apply This confidential search is being exclusively managed by our retained executive search partner. To express interest, nominate a candidate, or request a confidential briefing, please apply here and/or reach out directly to our retained consultant, Duncan Hiller, at
duncan@hedgeimpact.com .
We value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.
Title: VP, Impact-First Investing
Summary Our client is a one-of-a-kind, fully-funded, and global organization that provides tailored guidance dedicated to catalyzing transformational capital specifically for climate solutions. With secure, long-term backing from a coalition of experienced funders, their client is the climate.
We are seeking a visionary Executive Leader to build a brand-new capability dedicated to impact-first and catalytic climate investing. This is a rare entrepreneurial mandate within a highly resourced, deeply secure environment. You will architect the strategy from first principles, guiding ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, families, and family offices to seamlessly integrate catalytic capital into their broader climate and impact portfolio.
Managerial Responsibilities As the practice lead, you will orchestrate a dedicated, four-person impact-first investing pod. This agile team will consist of both a direct report and two highly specialized diligence experts embedded within the global climate strategies team (which diligences philanthropic projects). You will also manage the work products from internal and external communications experts. This structure provides you with a flexible, cross-functional resource base to scale the practice and test effectiveness.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Practice Development & Strategy Design, launch, and lead the impact-first investing advisory practice, defining the metrics, frameworks, and global strategy. Bridge the gap by translating complex climate deal structures into actionable, high-impact strategies - cutting through the jargon to deploy institutional-scale capital. Leverage and expand upon a growing advisory group of prominent industry experts and co-investors, drawing on their technical expertise and market insights to continuously elevate the practice. Oversee initiatives designed to educate the public on how impact-first investing can benefit important climate work, supported by the firm’s communications and events team.
UHNW Advisory & Internal Integration Serve as the trusted, highly credible guide for billionaire principals and discerning family office Chief Investment Officers (CIOs). Operate with absolute objectivity in an educational and advisory capacity - advising families on the impact and appropriateness of market-based solutions and tailoring your bespoke advice to the specific missions of each individual principal. Partner closely with the internal existing relationship managers to upskill the wider organization on impact-first investing approaches to complement their existing skills in philanthropic advising for climate impact. Partner with the communications team to integrate impact investing offerings across core brand and digital and print materials.
Success Criteria An Expert in UHNW Dynamics
- You have extensive, highly nuanced experience navigating complex family wealth, legacy planning, and principal engagement. You excel at collaborating closely with highly skilled philanthropic advisors, ensuring a family’s impact-first investments and traditional philanthropy are woven into one seamless, unified climate strategy. An Intrapreneurial Builder
- You possess true start-up DNA, and also know how to build within an established powerhouse. You thrive in a greenfield environment, as well as understanding the synergies of building this new practice to seamlessly integrate with, amplify, and draw upon the immense success of the existing advisory organization. A Private Sector Leader
- You possess demonstrable credibility from traditional finance, venture capital, or impact investing. You know exactly what a rigorous, catalytic deal looks like and can communicate complex themes in simple terms and guide others to do so. Mission-First Focus
- You prioritize global climate impact, collaborating seamlessly across subject-matter experts and relationship teams to drive a unified strategy.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Private Sector Credibility:
Deep, proven credibility from the private investment sector, with a track record in impact-first or catalytic capital. Communication:
Ability to bridge the gap between complex financial mechanisms and straightforward, compelling advisory counsel for principals. Subject Matter Expertise:
Deep understanding of the climate investment landscape, able to clearly articulate how different capital types (from philanthropic to venture) can complement each other. Leadership:
Experience building and leading a team in a dynamic start-up environment.
Education and Experience Extensive executive experience working with UHNW individuals and family offices. Demonstrated history of successfully designing, launching, and scaling new advisory, investment, or philanthropic capabilities.
Work Environment The organization is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, with additional hubs in New York, Washington DC, and London. This position operates in a hybrid environment and is planned to be based in the San Francisco, CA office, with an option to be based in New York City. Staff in the San Francisco Bay Area work in the office Tuesday through Thursday each week.
Compensation & Benefits Base Salary:
$475,000 - $550,000 per year - This is a fixed compensation rate; the role does not include an annual bonus or carried interest. Benefits:
We offer a generous, comprehensive benefits package that includes premium health insurance plans, dental, vision, and life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, 401(k) matching (up to 9%), 17 paid holidays per year, and unlimited time off.
How to Apply This confidential search is being exclusively managed by our retained executive search partner. To express interest, nominate a candidate, or request a confidential briefing, please apply here and/or reach out directly to our retained consultant, Duncan Hiller, at
duncan@hedgeimpact.com .
We value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.