Executive Director, NSTC Investment Fund

Natcast (short for The National Center for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology) is a new, purpose-built, non-profit entity created to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) consortium, established by the CHIPS Act of the U.S. government.

Working at Natcast represents an opportunity to help extend America’s leadership in semiconductor technology, significantly reduce the time and cost of moving from idea to commercialization, and build and sustain a semiconductor workforce development ecosystem.

These efforts to advance semiconductor technology and seed new industries built on the capabilities of a wide range of advanced chips hold the potential to benefit the country and the world for generations to come.

Executive Director, NSTC Investment Fund 

In this role, you will have a unique opportunity to lead the definition, creation, and management of a major new program that is critical to the future economic and national security of the nation, being responsible for the overall strategic direction, the stand-up, and the ongoing management of the roughly $400M - $500M NSTC Semiconductor Investment Fund. 

Every day, you will collaborate with both government and private sector entities to drive innovation and growth in the critical field of semiconductors, working on strategy formation, fund creation, investment activities, and portfolio management. 

To thrive in this role, you must be a dynamic and flexible leader with technology industry knowledge, strong financial acumen, and a proven track record in investment management, possessing excellent strategic skills, the ability to work effectively with government entities and private sector partners, and strong analytical, implementation, communication, and management skills. 

Natcast is a purpose-built, non-profit entity established by the CHIPS Act to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) consortium. As a key component of the CHIPS and Science Act, Natcast is dedicated to advancing semiconductor R&D in the United States, convening government, industry, and academia to address the most challenging barriers to technological progress in the domestic semiconductor industry. This reflects a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the U.S. to drive innovation, set standards, and re-establish global leadership in semiconductor design and manufacturing. 

The Executive Director, NSTC Investment Fund plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and growth in the semiconductor industry through strategic investments and partnerships. This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future economic and national security of the nation by leading a major new program that is critical to the success of the CHIPS Act and the advancement of the domestic semiconductor ecosystem. 

Responsibilities 

Strategy Formation 

• Evaluate prior work and community input on the Fund 

• Gather input from government partners 

• Gather input from NSTC members and advisory bodies 

• Evaluate potential early partnering opportunities 

• Propose a strategic plan for the focus, process, and timetable for the Fund 

• Propose a budget for management of the Fund 

• Create the necessary documentation for the government to propose the strategy and budget 

• Shepherd the strategic plan through the various constituents to arrive at a consensus plan 

• Seek approval of the NSTC Steering Committee for the plan 

Fund Creation 

• Drive the process to determine initial legal structure and organizational design 

• Put in place the relationships needed to establish the Fund 

• Hire people in accordance with the strategic plan 

Begin Investing Activities 

• Establish an investment process including determining priorities, policies, and selection criteria 

• To the extent that Natcast invests directly, establish an investment thesis with focus areas, a due diligence process, standard terms, and a framework for managing risk; lead the process of negotiating term sheets, investment structures, and definitive agreements 

• Establish an investment committee for direct investments 

• Develop a communications plan to inform members of the community about the opportunities afforded by the Fund 

• Develop a process to partner with government and private sector investors for sourcing and evaluation of investment opportunities 

• Develop relationships with incubators and industry groups 

• Build the framework for the linkage between NSTC services and the fund recipients 

• Ensure compliance with legal requirements 

Manage the Portfolio 

• As appropriate and as negotiated, serve on the boards of portfolio companies, or serve as a strategic and operational advisor to portfolio companies 

• Monitor portfolio company performance including financial and operational metrics 

• Assist portfolio companies in securing follow-on financing, strategic partnerships, and exit opportunities 

• To the extent the Fund has invested in other funds, maintain the relationships with those funds, monitor performance, and make changes as appropriate 

• Foster a collaborative and innovative culture within the Fund, ensuring strong connections to other parts of Natcast as well as with the government partners 

• Track emerging technical and business trends within the semiconductor ecosystem 

Required Skills and Experience 

• An advanced degree in finance, economics, technology management, or a related field 

• 10+ years of experience in investment management, whether in venture capital, private equity, or corporate strategic investments 

• Proven track record of evaluating, selecting, and supporting portfolio companies with successful exits 

• Experience in investing in semiconductors a plus 

• Understanding of the semiconductor ecosystem, including industry structure, market trends, and technological developments 

• Excellent strategic skills and ability to integrate the Fund's strategy into the broader NSTC and overall CHIPS strategy 

• Ability to work effectively with government entities and private sector partners 

• Excellent analytical, implementation, communication, and management skills 

• Familiarity with legal constraints and structures for investments 

Natcast is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any protected attribute. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply and join us in our mission. If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process due to a disability, please let us know. 

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