Idemitsu has established a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) team in Basel, Switzerland. For this team, we are looking for an Investment Associate to accelerate investments in startups and strategic partnerships that support the transformation strategy of our parent company, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan.
Idemitsu is looking for people with strong academic technical background who are curious to explore and evaluate new technology and determine how this can integrate into Idemitsu strategy to benefit society. This is a unique opportunity to help develop and shape a corporate venture and open innovation platform, integrated into a large, global company. The role can be adapted to the profile of the successful candidate.
Your responsibilities
Support Idemitsu’s portfolio transformation into new business domains by scouting, evaluating and promoting partnerships with innovative stakeholders, mainly in Europe and US. Work closely with colleagues in Basel (CVC and Incubation) and the CVC business teams in Tokyo, bridging cultural differences and building trust in Global partnerships.
- Identify and evaluate startups in target business areas and report to Investment Managers
- Build strong relationships with our venture capital partner in Zurich and other key stakeholders
- Acquire and deepen investment know-how in venture capital and related collaboration models
- Manage relationships with invested startups, acting as a key contact and supporting portfolio companies
- Support commercial and investment negotiations (including licensing) to establish investment and venture projects
- Articulate the business value of opportunities to internal stakeholders and build clear, persuasive arguments in line with Idemitsu’s strategy and culture
Your profile
- University degree with Masters in Science/Engineering or equivalent is preferred
- Evidence of intent to develop your career in a commercial direction
- Experience in collaboration with startups / academia or business with Japanese companies/culture
- Comfortable in a results-driven environment with strong internal and external customer focus, flexible in changing priorities and meeting tight deadlines
- Excellent networking and communication skills; culturally sensitive, enjoy working in international teams and keen to expand your expertise
- Fluent in English (spoken and written), business fluency in Japanese is preferred
About Idemitsu Kosan and Idemitsu Innovation Europe AG (IIE)
- IIE is a subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. and is based in Basel, Switzerland
- Idemitsu is one of the leading petroleum energy and materials companies in Japan. Globally, core businesses include; oil refining, manufacturing and sales of petroleum products and petrochemicals; extraction of natural resources (oil, gas and coal); development of performance materials (lubricants, functional chemicals, agri-bio, battery materials and electronic materials)
- Idemitsu is seeking to transform its business portfolio from mainly refinery and petrochemicals to performance materials and new business domains
- Idemitsu place employees and their competencies at the center of the company, providing autonomy, independence and development paths
- IIE offers attractive employment conditions and the opportunity to work in a multicultural team
Conditions:
Employment type: Permanent, full-time (100%)
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Travel requirement: 20%-30% (Europe, Japan, US)
Please send your application by email to to Felicitas Dietwiler (HR Manager)
Idemitsu Innovation Europe AG, Messeplatz 10, 4058 Basel, Switzerland