Principle, VC & Startup Ecosystem Lead

📋 Description

• • Ashby Inc. is seeking a dynamic and strategic Principal, VC & Startup Ecosystem Lead to join our growing team and spearhead our engagement with the venture capital and startup communities. This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of a critical growth pillar, building upon existing foundational programs and scaling them to new heights. You will be instrumental in making Ashby the default Applicant Tracking System (ATS) for venture-backed startups by embedding deeply within the VC talent ecosystem, fostering trust, driving preference, and generating a repeatable pipeline of startup customers.
• • As the Head of Partnerships, Kat, has laid the groundwork for a robust partnership ecosystem, including the Ashby Experts program, our integration directory, community partnerships, and impactful partner activations. This role represents the next phase of evolution, focusing on expanding and deepening our VC and startup initiatives. You will be the face of this community, designing and executing programs that provide immense value to founders and VC Talent Partners alike.
• • Your primary responsibility will be to own and grow partnerships across three key pillars: VC Talent, Startups, and Accelerators. This involves not only managing existing relationships but also identifying new opportunities, developing innovative programming, and executing strategic initiatives to drive adoption and preference for Ashby.
• • Over the next 12 months, your key responsibilities will include:
• • Deepening Ashby’s VC Talent Partner community and programming: You will take ownership of our annual VC Talent Partner Summit, refining and enhancing the format to deliver even greater value. This includes developing targeted programming, creating compelling content, and orchestrating events and touchpoints that build trusted, long-term relationships with top Talent Partners, establishing you as a recognized and respected advisor within this influential community.
• • Extending Ashby’s startup ecosystem: You will design and implement engaging events that bring together founders and early-stage recruiters, transforming community interactions into lasting partnerships. Your efforts will focus on making Ashby the indispensable hiring tool within a founder's technology stack, ensuring seamless integration into their growth journey.
• • Building our Accelerator Go-To-Market (GTM) motion: You will cultivate strong relationships with accelerator programs, designing bespoke programming that drives adoption of Ashby among their portfolio companies. This initiative aims to solidify accelerators as a vital component of Ashby's startup success strategy.
• • This role is ideal for an individual who thrives in a high-ownership, high-trust environment, possesses a strategic mindset coupled with a strong execution drive, and excels at designing impactful event programming that resonates with startup founders and VC Talent Partners. You should be a natural relationship builder, leading with curiosity and kindness, and adept at navigating conversations with executive-level stakeholders.
• • You will be expected to be an exceptional communicator and writer, possessing a strong executive presence. The ability to host, lead conversations, and build enduring relationships is paramount. If you are excited by the prospect of building something new and meaningful for the startup community, and are energized by taking initiative and driving forward momentum, this role offers a significant opportunity for impact and growth.
• • Conversely, this role is not a fit for individuals who are uncomfortable with autonomy or prefer to work independently in a less structured environment. Ashby operates with an asynchronous, high-ownership culture where you are responsible for setting your own deadlines and driving progress. If you are not accustomed to working with a sense of urgency, value forward momentum, and believe in out-executing others as a competitive advantage, this may not be the right environment.
• • Furthermore, if you prefer to operate behind the scenes rather than lead conversations with executive audiences and speak as a subject matter expert in front of large groups, this role will be challenging. While a passion for founders is essential, comfort and confidence in public speaking and executive engagement are critical requirements. Travel is also a significant component of this role, with frequent engagements in key VC hubs like San Francisco and New York, as well as at industry conferences. If travel presents a significant obstacle, this position may not be suitable. Finally, meticulous attention to detail is non-negotiable. While an Event Operations team provides support, you will be fully accountable for the success of your programs and must be committed to sweating the details to ensure flawless execution.