Venture Operations Associate

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's Office of Technology Transfer & Strategic Partnerships (TT&SP) is seeking an outstanding candidate to join the Compass team.

COMPASS (Commercialization Pathways for Accelerating Scientific Solutions) is a program supported by SLAC and Sandia National Laboratories. We're building a commercialization pathway to transform deep-tech research into venture-ready opportunities, by connecting the nation's leading researchers with investors and entrepreneurs ready to scale breakthrough innovations. This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of science, startups, and venture, helping to turn high-impact laboratory research into investable companies.

As a Venture Operations Associate, you'll be a key member of the COMPASS team, helping to identify promising technologies, coordinate diligence sprints, and connect lab researchers with investors and founders. You'll work side-by-side with national lab teams, venture capital partners, and commercialization advisors to move ideas from discovery to market. This is a dynamic role for anindividual who thrives in ambiguity and enjoys building new processes.

This position reports to the Technology Transfer Manager.

Note: This is a 3-year fixed term position with the possibility of extension or conversion to a regular- continuing position.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Lead and support in evaluating early-stage technologies for commercial potential.
• Evaluate and coordinate due diligence sprints with partners, investors, and founders.
• Develop market briefs and opportunity assessments.
• Support investor/founder matchmaking events and venture showcases.
• Track investment interest, startup progress, and commercialization outcomes.
• Collaborate across SLAC, Sandia, and other national labs to align commercialization activities.
• Lead and manage programs or functions under minimal supervision.
• Lead the planning and operations for programs or functions that have significant business, regulatory and/or technical challenges requiring subject matter expertise.
• Evaluate programs or functions, policies and procedures. Identify issues and develop alternative solutions which may include changes to programs, policies and procedures.
• Review and analyze trends to advise and develop recommendations to achieve or modify the goals of the program or function.
• Represent the program or function within the department, unit or school by committing resources and provide information and/or training. Represent the program or function at the university level and/or to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
• Manage and contribute to the development of outreach strategy that may include relationship development, communications and compliance.
• May develop and/or oversee budgets; manage finances including monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting.
• Assess training needs and may develop associated training.
• May direct and/or supervise staff.
  
  

Opportunities And Benefits

• Work directly with national labs, investors, and founders to bring research to market.
• Shape how the U.S. deep-tech ecosystem connects science and venture capital.
• Be part of a mission-driven effort to accelerate commercialization and strengthen American innovation leadership.
  
  

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experiencein deep-tech entrepreneurship, venture investing, management consulting, or technical industry operations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into clear market and business narratives.
• Comfort operating in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment.
  
  

In Addition, Preferred Qualifications Include

• MBA or graduate technical degree.
• Experience in a venture studio, accelerator, or startup environment.
• Network in energy, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, or frontier innovation sectors.
  
  

SLAC Competencies

• Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
• Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
• Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
• Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.
  
  

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job. May work extended hours during peak business cycles.
• Given the nature of this position, SLAC is open to on-site and hybrid work options
  
  

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1¿General Policy and Responsibilities:http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
• As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
• Job Classification: Administrative Services Administrator
• Job Code: 4122 Grade: J
• Employment Duration: 3 year-fixed term
  
  

The expected pay range for this position $120,038 - $153,486 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.