Associate/VP - Investments

Job Title - Associate/VP - Investments

Location:Mumbai, India

ABOUT UNILEVER VENTURES

Unilever Ventures is the venture and growth capital arm of Unilever and one of the largest consumer-focused investment vehicles globally. Since 2002, we have partnered with visionary entrepreneurs and innovative businesses, helping them build leading brands and technology solutions that shape the future of consumer markets.

With a portfolio of more than 80 companies and investments across numerous venture and private equity funds, Unilever Ventures combines financial capital, strategic expertise, and deep industry networks to generate strong financial returns while delivering valuable market insights to Unilever.

Backed by Fund V, a ~$350 million fund raised in 2024, we invest primarily across North America, Europe, and Asia. Our investments focus on two key areas:

• Beauty & Wellbeing brands that are transforming consumer experiences across digital and physical channels.

• Technologies and services that enable modern brands to scale, including commerce platforms, distribution models, and enterprise software solutions.

At Unilever Ventures, we foster intellectual curiosity, integrity, collaboration, and continuous learning while embracing diversity of thought and experience.

JOB PURPOSE

We are seeking a highly motivated Associate/Vice President - Investments to join our Mumbai office. Reporting to the Partner, Head of Asia, this role represents a critical step in our investment team structure, positioned between Senior Associate and Principal.

The successful candidate will play a key role in sourcing, evaluating, executing, and managing investments across India and Southeast Asia. This position offers significant exposure to entrepreneurs, investment opportunities, and strategic decision-making while providing a clear pathway for professional growth within a high-performing investment team.

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities, investment judgment, commercial acumen, and a passion for identifying emerging consumer and technology trends.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Deal Origination & Investment Sourcing

• Identify and originate investment opportunities across India and Southeast Asia through extensive networking with founders, investors, accelerators, and industry stakeholders.

• Build and maintain strong relationships within the startup and venture capital ecosystem.

• Conduct market research, industry mapping, competitive assessments, and trend analysis to support investment thesis development.

• Evaluate inbound investment opportunities and provide investment recommendations.

Investment Evaluation & Execution

• Lead key investment workstreams including commercial, financial, operational, and legal due diligence.

• Develop financial models, valuation analyses, return scenarios, and investment frameworks.

• Prepare high-quality investment memoranda and present recommendations to the Investment Committee.

• Support negotiation of commercial terms, term sheets, and transactional documentation alongside senior investment professionals.

• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders throughout the investment process.

Portfolio Management & Value Creation

• Support portfolio companies by acting as a Board Observer where applicable.

• Partner with founders and leadership teams to help shape strategic priorities and growth initiatives.

• Monitor company performance, key operating metrics, and risk indicators.

• Identify value-creation opportunities utilizing Unilever Ventures’ network, expertise, and strategic resources.

• Assist portfolio companies with exit planning, strategic transactions, fundraising activities, and potential liquidity events.

Stakeholder Management & Ecosystem Engagement

• Strengthen relationships with co-investors, advisors, founders, industry experts, and ecosystem partners.

• Represent Unilever Ventures at industry conferences, networking events, and thought leadership forums.

• Enhance market visibility and contribute to building a strong investment pipeline.

Team Leadership & Development

• Mentor and develop Associates and Senior Associates within the investment team.

• Promote a collaborative, high-performance team culture.

• Contribute to process improvements, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and operational excellence within the investment platform.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.

• MBA from a premier business school or Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification preferred.

• Outstanding academic track record; additional academic distinctions or rank-holder achievements are advantageous.

Experience

• 3-8 years of relevant experience in one or more of the following:

  • Venture Capital

  • Growth Equity

  • Private Equity

  • Investment Banking

  • Management Consulting

  • High-growth Startup environments

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and investment analysis capabilities.

• Experience conducting commercial and financial due diligence.

• Exceptional analytical problem-solving skills and business judgment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong relationship-building and networking capabilities.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a high degree of intellectual curiosity.

• Deep interest in consumer behavior, emerging technologies, and market innovation.

• Ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Ownership and accountability for investment outcomes.

• Curiosity and a continuous learning mindset.

• Integrity and sound professional judgment.

• Resilience and adaptability in ambiguous environments.

• Collaborative leadership and people development capability.

• Passion for supporting entrepreneurs and creating long-term value.