Director Climatech/Deeptech VC

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

Santander Alternative Investments is a growing business that started almost 3 years ago with already €2.5bn in commitments in core strategies for the group.

Our goal is to develop funds where we have a clear competitive advantage to generate alpha for our institutional and UHNWI clients.

Santander Alternative Investments provides investors with a range of alternative investment opportunities in venture Capital, Infrastructure, Tarde Finance, Direct Lending, Hospitality and Fund of Fund, leveraging on the strengths and extensive origination capabilities of Santander Group.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

SANTANADER ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS is looking for a Director / Managing Director in Climate / Deeptech Venture Capital based out of Madrid.

As a Director / Managing Director in Climate / Deeptech Venture Capital, you will play a pivotal role in defining strategy, executing investments, and shaping the future of the fund. You will represent the fund externally, lead high-conviction transactions, and guide both the portfolio and the internal team toward long-term value creation.

We need someone like you to help us in different fronts:

• Define and refine the investment thesis in climatech and deeptech, ensuring strategic alignment across geographies, technological verticals, and long-term thematic priorities.
• Represent the fund externally with LPs, founders, co-investors, accelerators, public institutions, and at leading industry forums, reinforcing the fund’s visibility and positioning as a reference player in the market.
• Lead portfolio construction and capital allocation decisions, balancing stages (early/growth), thematic diversification, and risk-return objectives.
• Drive the fundraising process with European institutional and industrial investors, leveraging your established network to expand the LP base and secure long-term commitments.
• Source and execute high-quality investments, taking lead investor roles with full responsibility for structuring, valuation, negotiation, governance, and co-investment arrangements.
• Play an active role on the boards of portfolio companies, contributing strategic guidance, supporting growth initiatives, overseeing risk management, and preparing companies for exit scenarios (trade sale, IPO, secondary).
• Ensure active portfolio stewardship, monitoring performance, anticipating risks, and supporting founders in critical decision-making moments.
• Mentor and develop the internal team, transferring knowledge and judgment to junior and mid-level colleagues, and fostering a high-performance, mission-driven culture.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organization. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional Experience

• 15+ years in climatech /deeptech VC (Requiered)
• Proven and clear track record of sourcing, leading, and exiting investments especially in the climate or industrial tech. (Required)
• Strong ecosystem network across founders, investors, LPs, corporates, and policymakers. (Requiered)
• Recognized thought leadership in one or more verticals: climate tech, space tech, or industrial innovation. (Requiered)
• Strong technical foundation: an engineering background is an advantage. (Required)

Education

• Master’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, Finance or Economics from a leading institution (Requiered)
• MBA and/or PHD (Preferred).
• Complementary training in climate, energy, or industrial technologies will be highly valued. (Preferred)

Languages

• Fluency in English (Required)
• Proficiency in an additional European language (Spanish, French, or German) highly desirable (Preferred)

Hard Skills

• Strong financial modelling, valuation, and deal structuring capabilities. (Required)
• Deep understanding of venture financing dynamics, governance, and exit processes. (Required)
• Technical literacy in climate and industrial technologies; ability to engage confidently with scientific and engineering teams. (Required)
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills (Required)
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships with LPs, co-investors, and founders. (Required)
• Leadership presence, sound judgement, and the conviction to make and defend investment decisions. (Required)

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

Your contribution matters, and it’s recognized. You can expect a fair, competitive reward package that reflects the impact you create and the value you deliver. But we know rewards go beyond numbers.

• We’re enable our teams to go beyond through global opportunities and broad career paths.
• Flexibility that works. Enjoy a hybrid working models—some days remote, some days onsite with your team—along with flexible hours.
• Learning for life. Access hundreds of courses on our platforms, including exclusive access to our global learning space: Santander Open Academy (www.santanderopenacademy.com)
• Competitive rewards. Receive a highly competitive salary with performance-based bonuses, motivating you to keep growing with us.
• Financial advantages. Benefit from preferential banking terms, special interest rates on loans, life insurance, and more.
• Your health is our priority. Through BeHealthy, our global wellness programme, we promote Holistic wellbeing.
• We know family is everything. That’s why we offer childcare support and family-friendly programmes tailored to each life stage.
• Always by your side. Get access to Santander Contigo, our program for employees and their families offering legal, emotional, and administrative advisory services.
• Extra benefits. Gym/WellHub membership, medical centers in some of our facilities, meal subsidy, parking, shuttle service from various points in Madrid, as well as exclusive discounts and offers for Santander employees. And that’s only the beginning—we’ll tell you more when you join!

We’re here to keep you motivated, help you reach your goals, and celebrate your progress, every step of the way.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

Santander is proud of being an organization where there are equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process for all candidates.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.
 

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR JOURNEY?