Specialized Faculty (Open Rank, Non-Tenure Track) - Department of Finance - Venture Capital
University of Illinois

Clinical Faculty - Department of Finance

Venture Capital & Entrepreneurial Finance

The Gies College of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign seeks to hire an experienced professional to co-lead the launch and subsequent oversight of a student-run venture capital fund (to be named "Orange & Blue Ventures"). This role requires hands-on experience working in a venture capital firm or managing capital raising for early-stage businesses. The ideal candidate has several years of practical work experience and is interested in teaching and mentoring students to help them: (i) learn about the venture capital industry, (ii) identify, evaluate and make investments in early-stage companies, and (iii) build strong relationships with the innovation ecosystem across the University of Illinois System and within its alumni base. The candidate should have a collaborative, student-centered leadership style; be able to balance academic rigor with real-world practicality and have a passion for developing future investors and entrepreneurs.
The candidate will partner with current faculty and staff members within Gies Business to launch an immersive experiential learning opportunity in venture capital fund management. The role will have two primary responsibilities, and several related expectations:

1. 1. Co-instructor for a prerequisite course to provide students with the underlying concepts and tools of venture capital fund management. This is a to-be-launched class in the Fall of 2026 that will be taught in both the fall and spring semesters. This class will accomplish several objectives:

a) Educate students on the principal topics relevant to the venture capital industry - including fund formation, deal sourcing and evaluation, term sheets and valuation, portfolio management, exit strategies.

b) Provide insight around the current trends shaping the VC landscape, accomplished through exposure to guest speakers that are part of the Illini venture capital ecosystem (alumni, others in the field).

c) Deliver a hands-on experience of thinking and acting like a venture capitalist. This will be accomplished through a semester-long case study that will involve a real start up going through the fund-raising process, with the students working through a deal execution effort to arrive at an investment recommendation relevant to the start-up company.

2. Faculty Co-leader of Orange & Blue Ventures. Orange & Blue Ventures is a student-run venture capital fund that will formally launch in the Spring of 2027. The Faculty Co-leader will provide strategic, academic, and operational guidance to a student investment team that manages the fund. This role ensures educational rigor, sound investment practices, and alignment with Gies's mission while empowering students to make real-world investment decisions. Key responsibilities include:

a. Academic & Educational Leadership

i. Design and lead the academic framework that supports the fund, including coursework, workshops, seminars, and experiential learning activities.

ii. Mentor students in venture capital fundamentals, including deal sourcing, due diligence, investment analysis, portfolio management, and responsible investing.

iii. Provide structured feedback on student work and support professional skill development.

b. Fund Oversight & Governance

i. Ensure the fund operates within university policies, legal guidelines, and fiduciary responsibilities.

ii. Serve as the primary liaison between the fund, university administration, and external stakeholders.

iii. Support the student investment committee while preserving the student-led nature of decision-making.

iv Oversee risk management practices and ensure transparency in fund operations and reporting.

c. Industry & External Relations

i. Cultivate relationships with venture capital firms, angel investors, accelerators, and alumni to enrich opportunities for deal flow, advising, and networking.

ii. Facilitate guest speakers, practitioner panels, pitch events, and workshops.

iii. Represent the fund at university events, conferences, and industry convenings.

iv. Work with other Gies College units to promote research and teaching on the science and practice of entrepreneurship.

d. Student Team Support

i. Guide annual student recruitment, selection, and training processes.

ii. Advise student leadership on roles, responsibilities, fund structure, and team management.

iii. Support student-led initiatives such as the activities of the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship or ad hoc events that Orange & Blue Ventures organize.

e. Operational & Program Management

i. Collaborate with administrative staff from the Finance Department and the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship to manage budget, reporting, compliance, and long-term strategic planning.

ii. Help steward donor relationships and support fundraising for the fund's future expansion.

iii. Maintain documentation, playbooks, and institutional memory for continuity between student cohorts.

Qualifications

Required

1. Senior leadership experience in venture capital, private equity, entrepreneurship, or startup advisory roles

2. Demonstrated teaching, mentoring, or academic leadership experience desired, not required

3. Strong communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, administrators, and industry partners

4. Commitment to experiential learning and fostering an accessible and welcoming entrepreneurial ecosystem

5. Able to be on campus several times per month

Preferred

1. Advanced degree in business, finance, entrepreneurship, or a related field (MBA or PhD preferred)

2. Living in the Champaign-Urbana area

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time specialized faculty appointment (9 month service basis paid over 12-months). The expected start date is 8/16/2026. The targeted wage for this position is $150,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Based on credentials and operational needs, the successful candidate may also be eligible for an additional 1/9th administrative appointment, with the possibility of up to 2 additional months in administrative service during the summer months. Sponsorship for work aurhorization is not available for this position.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on March 16, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Hanna Richmond (hrichmnd@illinois.edu). For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1034256
Job Category: Faculty
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu