Vice President, Product Launch

Location: London

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Job Description Summary

For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking.

In our collegial environment that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences.

We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm.

HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.

This position will be a hybrid work arrangement. You will receive 18 remote workdays per quarter to use at your discretion, subject to manager approval. For example, you may choose to work in the office 4 days per week and take one remote day weekly (typically 13 weeks per quarter), leaving 5 additional remote days to be used as needed.

The Product Launch VP will lead the launch of innovative new investment solutions for our clients, including those utilising an existing operating model and those adopting a new operating model. This is an exciting role directly involved in the firms expansion. The Product Launch VP will be part of the Strategy, Innovation, and Execution function, which is collectively responsible for building the firm in new areas.

The ideal candidate is someone who is :

• Entrepreneurial, creative, thoughtful, and flexible, with significant professional experience in developing, fleshing out, and launching new investment products or solutions, preferably within private markets

• Strong attention to detail and ability to push for decisions on a project while seeking input from different perspectives, without always having existing precedents

• Excellent at communicating complex concepts in simple terms, in writing and in person

• Experience working in team environments, with the ability to lead or facilitate group efforts and to influence colleagues and counterparties using a range of techniques

• Organized and effective in independently driving initiatives, with the willingness and capability to assume responsibility and ownership of outcomes

• Focused on having a significant impact on the business, while considering short- and long-term opportunities and risks

What you will do:

The Product Launch VP will lead the development of specific new products that are novel to the firm and align with the firms strategy. The role will include:

• Leading all aspects of the launch of a new product from the point of concept approval to the first subscription

• Building a plan to launch a new product

• Establishing key dependencies and goals in order to meet launch targets

• Carefully reviewing legal and other product documentation from a commercial perspective

• Soliciting feedback and input from a large cross-section of the organization and evaluating different inputs to inform decisions around product terms and related sales and operating models

• Coordinating with operational leads to ensure that the firm will be prepared to support the operational needs of a new product

• Sharing experience and insights to influence the firms product strategy and planning and prioritization process

• Contributing to research and development before a product concept reaches the launch stage

• Other responsibilities as required

The role will include close collaboration with leaders of the Strategy, Innovation, and Execution function and ongoing partnership with a diverse set of colleagues across the firm, including Legal, Compliance, Marketing, Investor Relations, Private Wealth, Tax, Investments, Enterprise Operations & Strategy, and Financial Planning & Analysis, as well as external providers and advisors.

What you bring:

• 10+ years of professional experience in the private markets or asset management space, focused on structuring / product development / product launch and related topics, from a commercial or legal perspective

• Demonstrated excellence in implementing multi-dimensional projects

• Strong familiarity with and interest in the private equity or broader private markets landscape

• Strong understanding of the mechanics and inter-dependencies of alternative investment funds

• Strong product management experience with an ability to lead and manage large cross-functional teams

• Familiarity with different legal structures used for investors to access private market strategies

• Familiarity with business models

Education Preferred:

• Bachelors degree

• Nice to have: JD or MBA or equivalent experience