Director of Portfolio Finance - Chicago - Energize Capital

Description

Overview

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. Energize is looking for driven, self-motivated professionals who can bring diversity of thought, intellectual rigor, humility, and a collaborative mindset to our growing entrepreneurial team.

About the Role

The Director of Portfolio Finance & Operations will lead the finance-focused pillar of Energize's EDGE value creation team, which partners with the investment team and our portfolio of climate software companies to support value creation and risk mitigation initiatives. This role is responsible for architecting and executing Energize's portfolio finance operating model, building high-quality financial discipline across the portfolio, and ensuring consistent, accurate, and actionable insights.

This individual will oversee financial data and reporting workflows, support complex diligence, mentor portfolio finance leaders, and identify opportunities to strengthen financial and operational performance across both venture and private equity investments. They will also develop and manage the Portfolio Finance & Operations team, including the Senior Portfolio Finance Manager and Portfolio Data Analyst.

Reporting to the Head of Portfolio Services & Impact, this is a highly strategic and hands-on leadership position ideal for a seasoned finance operator with deep SaaS experience and a strong track record in VC/PE portfolio value creation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain strong, trust-based relationships with CFOs, CEOs and other senior finance leaders across the portfolio.
• Mentor and advise portfolio finance teams, helping them strengthen processes, systems, and strategic finance capabilities.
• Conduct financial and operational plan reviews and provide targeted recommendations to improve performance.
• Occasionally step into interim or advisory operating roles within portfolio companies during moments of transition, growth, or need.
• Review financial models, data rooms, and reporting packages prepared by portfolio companies in advance of fundraising or M&A.
• Help advise and prepare companies to optimize exit value and prepare for M&A events.

Network and Best Practice Development

• Lead the CFO Working Group, fostering a community of learning, best-practice sharing, and functional excellence.
• Create and deliver playbooks, training programs, and repeatable frameworks for finance and operations maturity.
• Oversee and manage relationships with external consulting partners and advisors, ensuring alignment with firm and portfolio priorities.
• Oversee ongoing quarterly portfolio performance reporting to ensure accuracy, consistency, and insights that inform LP reporting and drive firm-wide decision-making around asset management.
• Support the portfolio health and asset management process in close partnership with the Head of EDGE and investment team, ensuring timely visibility into company performance and emerging risks.
• Review and provide feedback on annual plans, budgets, and forecasts across the portfolio.

Team Leadership & Internal Collaboration

• Partner with the investment team on complex due diligence—particularly around revenue modeling, operational maturity, and financial structure of SaaS and software companies.
• Develop, coach, and manage the Portfolio Finance & Operations team—including the Senior Portfolio Finance Manager and Portfolio Data Analyst.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of EDGE to align finance-focused initiatives with broader value creation goals.
• Partner with the investment team to enhance monitoring processes, identify early warning signals, and surface opportunities for support.
• Work cross-functionally with data, operations, and technology resources to strengthen reporting systems and analytical capabilities
• Prioritize EDGE finance-related initiatives and allocate team resources effectively.

Skills & Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in finance, operations, strategy, or value creation roles.
• Deep expertise in software/SaaS business models, including ARR, retention, segmentation, and unit economics.
• Experience in early-stage SaaS finance operations, including building FP&A processes, revenue modeling, and implementing financial systems.
• Prior experience in a VC or PE portfolio operations role preferred.
• Experience working with later-stage companies and overseeing consulting relationships.
• Robust network of finance, operations, and SaaS leaders.
• Executive presence and influence: Able to command authority while maintaining strong, positive relationships.
• Consultative and collaborative: Effectively aligns stakeholders and drives adoption of best practices.
• 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.

Location

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).

Benefits

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
• 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.

The base salary range for this role is between: $175,000 - $205,000. This role is bonus eligible commensurate with experience and performance.