The Roche Venture Fund is the Roche corporate venture fund, with CHF 750M available for investment. The Roche Venture Fund invests in early stage biotech and diagnostics companies to develop commercially successful innovative life science companies. Co-located in Basel, Switzerland and South San Francisco, the Roche Venture Fund invests globally with a portfolio of over 35 companies in 10 countries (http://www.venturefund.roche.com/).
The Roche Venture Fund is part of Group Finance and interacts with the Diagnostics and Pharma organizations of Roche and Genentech. The position is located at our South San Francisco campus and will report to the Head of the Roche Venture Fund based in Basel, Switzerland.
The Opportunity
The Roche Venture Fund Investment Director position provides an opportunity to work within a fast-paced and challenging environment as part of a global investment team combining the science and business of biotech.
The responsibilities of the position include:
● Monitoring emerging investment areas in healthcare and developing investment strategies in these areas
● Represent Roche Venture Fund externally to the investment community and maintain a strong external network of entrepreneurs, investors and academia
● Assessing and reviewing of new investment opportunities and leading the negotiation, diligence and transactional requirements for these new investments
● Working with management, board and investors of portfolio companies to build value, monitoring and reporting the operational and financial aspects of portfolio companies, including interviewing & hiring CEOs and other C-level positions; setting goals and budget for portfolio companies
● Managing ongoing contractual issues and exits in the portfolio companies
● Member of the Roche Venture Fund Investment Committee
Who You Are
You’re someone who wants to influence your own development. You’re looking for a company where you have the opportunity to pursue your interests across functions and geographies. Where a job title is not considered the final definition of who you are, but the starting point.
Additionally:
● You have a solid scientific education (PhD, MD, MSc)
● 8 -12+ years of work experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries and ideally 5+ years of work experience in a life sciences venture fund
● Entrepreneurial thinker with strong quantitative and analytical skills and drug development experience
● Demonstrated ability and experience in effectively interacting with executives and senior leaders; existing relationships within the Roche/Genentech pharmaceutical and diagnostics organizations is an advantage
● A strong global network in the biotech community of entrepreneurs, investors (both VC and corporate) and academia
● Previous board experience is preferred, including audit and/or compensation committee experience
● Strong Team Player with demonstrated leadership and excellent communication skills
● Travel is an integral part of the job both within the US and internationally
The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California state is $219,400 - 407,400. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.
Genentech provides a comprehensive employee benefits package focused on well-being, flexibility, and financial security. Please see benefits link below for more information.
Benefits
Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.
Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.
Skills Required
- PhD, MD, or MSc in a scientific discipline
- 8+ years work experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries
- 5+ years experience at a life sciences venture fund
- Demonstrated drug development experience and strong quantitative and analytical skills
- Proven ability to interact effectively with executives and senior leaders
- Existing relationships within Roche/Genentech organizations
- Strong global network in biotech (entrepreneurs, investors, academia)
- Previous board experience (audit and/or compensation committee experience preferred)
- Demonstrated leadership, teamwork and excellent communication skills
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally frequently
Genentech Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Genentech and has not been reviewed or approved by Genentech.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive across medical, dental, vision, mental health, and prescriptions, supported by HSAs/FSAs and broad wellness resources. On‑site fitness and health centers, mental‑health clinicians, and specialized programs like fully covered preventive cancer screenings and menopause support deepen the offering.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement benefits feature a 401(k) with up to a 4% company match plus an additional annual 6% company contribution to eligible pay. Additional financial protections such as life and accident insurance complement salary, bonuses, and stock options.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time away includes about 20 paid vacation days, paid holidays, personal days, and a year‑end shutdown. A paid six‑week sabbatical every six years notably expands long‑term time‑off flexibility.
Genentech Insights
What We Do
Considered the founder of the industry, Genentech, now a member of the Roche Group, has been delivering on the promise of biotechnology for more than 40 years. Genentech is a biotechnology company dedicated to pursuing groundbreaking science to discover and develop medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. Our transformational discoveries include the first targeted antibody for cancer and the first medicine for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. We're passionate about finding solutions for people facing the world's most difficult-to-treat conditions. That is why we use cutting-edge science to create and deliver innovative medicines around the globe. To us, science is personal. Making a difference in the lives of millions starts when you make a change in yours.
