Dir CME Ventures

CME Ventures is the corporate venture capital (CVC) and strategic investment arm of CME Group, currently managing a portfolio of external minority equity investments.

We act as a bridge between core CME businesses and external partners to inform and provide a wide understanding of emerging market structure changes and invest  in those areas of opportunity.

Our main goal is to drive quantifiable strategic growth and shareholder value across all areas of CME Group and position the firm for the future.

Description

The Director role will be a member of a small, high throughput team and reporting to the Executive Director, Head of CME Ventures and Senior Director, focused on leading initiatives in 3 core areas:

1. Exploration and new investment

Work closely with CME’s core business lines (BLMs), Corporate Development, Corporate Strategy and other departments to explore and invest in a portfolio of new growth and commercial opportunities.

2. Portfolio management

Manage investments and key relationships with core strategic assets and partners, creating new opportunities and information flow for the CME business lines.

3. Divestment of assets

Support the systematic divestment of assets with the goal of maximizing financial value returned.

Principal Accountabilities

• 30% Drive strategic projects, opportunity analysis and validation across the portfolio, internal and external projects, pilots and stakeholders
• 30% Lead and drive ongoing market structure and microstructure analysis
• 20% Co-manage, vet and source a pipeline of new opportunities and investments
• 10% Manage external strategic assets, relationships and boards and take on new responsibilities as the portfolio grows and changes.
• 5% Support asset divestment and new investment processes
• 5% Team management and Internal stakeholder communication

Scope of Responsibility

A large part of this role is successfully managing relationships internally and externally across levels and departments.

The Director will interact daily with internal stakeholders and external partners to identify and validate new growth opportunities for CME Group. The Director will also be responsible for leading project teams, driving timelines and quantifiable outcomes.

The Director will also interact with the management teams of CME Group, portfolio firms and co-investors.

Describe the day-to-day, typical, issues, decisions, and problems this role will be responsible for handling

Problem Solving

The Director role will need to thrive and adapt under constant change and ambiguity while navigating competing opinions and priorities (internal and external) across many assets and projects.

The Director will need to understand the range of potential choices, outcomes and trade offs and position our initiatives for the highest probability of success.

30% Of the problems this role solves on a day-to-day basis, what percentage of these problems can be solved through precedent (i.e. have a known solution that needs to be implemented)?

70% Of the problems this role solves on a day-to-day basis, what percentage requires a completely new, innovative, complex solution?

Decision Making

The Director will be making day to day decisions independently but as a member of a small, high throughput, execution-focused team.

Working Relationships

Overall direction and performance:

• President / CFO, Head of Transactions, CME Investment Committee, CME Group Board Finance Committee

Strategic initiatives:

• Corporate Strategy, Corporate Development, Business Line Managers (BLMs), Clearing, Research & Product Development, Market Data, Sales

Management of existing and sourcing of new assets and opportunities;

• C-level executives at startups, venture capital firms, strategic investors, investment bankers, secondary brokers and others.

Education

• College degree

• Post graduate, MBA or CFA strongly preferred but not required 

Experience

• Strategic thinker with at least 7 yrs. financial industry experience with high preference to: asset management, venture capital, private equity, business development and deal execution backgrounds. 

• Experience with financial modeling, due diligence, term sheet negotiation thru execution and portfolio management.

• Corporate, industry consortium, or not-for-profit board or board observer experience strongly preferred.

• Deep knowledge of public and private markets.

• Internal CME organizational structure and stakeholder knowledge are a plus.

• Past experience mentoring and managing analyst level team members a plus

Software Requirements

• Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Bloomberg, Pitchbook, CB Insights, Salesforce, others CME apps as needed.  

• AI tools and Python a plus

Physical, Scheduling & Location Requirements

• Chicago is strongly preferred.

• CME Ventures has a global portfolio and focus with frequent travel for meetings, board meetings and conferences.

#JR-1

CME Group is committed to offering a competitive total rewards package for our employees that recognizes their contributions to the business and reflects our long-term investment in their future. The pay range for this role is $145,700-$242,900. Actual salary offered will be dependent on a wide array of factors including but not limited to: relevant experience, skills, education and comparison to internal employees (where relevant). Our compensation program also includes an annual target bonus opportunity for all employees, as well as the opportunity to become an owner in the company through our broad-based equity program. Through our benefits program, we strive to offer flexibility, value and choice. From comprehensive health coverage, to a retirement package that includes both a 401(k) and an active pension plan, to highly competitive education reimbursement provisions, paid time off and a mental health benefit, CME Group offers a holistic benefits package for our team and their dependents.

CME Group: Where Futures are Made

CME Group is the world’s leading derivatives marketplace. But who we are goes deeper than that. Here, you can impact markets worldwide. Transform industries. And build a career by shaping tomorrow. We invest in your success and you own it – all while working alongside a team of leading experts who inspire you in ways big and small. Problem solvers, difference makers, trailblazers. Those are our people. And we’re looking for more.

At CME Group, we embrace our employees' unique experiences and skills to ensure that everyone’s perspectives are acknowledged and valued. As an equal-opportunity employer, we consider all potential employees without regard to any protected characteristic.

Important Notice: Recruitment fraud is on the rise, with scammers using misleading promises of job offers and interviews to solicit money and personal information from job seekers. CME Group adheres to established procedures designed to maintain trust, confidence and security throughout our recruitment process. Learn more here.