Portfolio Manager - Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Build Pennsylvania’s Next Generation of Technology Companies
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Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern Pennsylvania seeks an experienced executive to find, assess, invest in, and support innovative technology companies in Central Pennsylvania. In this role, you will advise entrepreneurs, manage investments and portfolios, and foster a thriving innovation ecosystem that drives job creation and economic growth across the region.

Why this role matters

As Portfolio Manager, you will advise founders, executives, investors, and community partners while leading the search, evaluation, and support of promising companies. Instead of managing a single organization, you will help shape the success of many technology and advanced manufacturing businesses across the region.

What you will do to make an impact:

• Find and assess high-potential technology companies for investment and support.
• Lead due diligence and evaluate business models, markets, teams, commercialization plans, and investment readiness.
• Advise founders on growth, go-to-market, customer acquisition, pricing, scaling, capital planning, and team development.
• Present investment recommendations and portfolio updates to leadership and boards.
• Connect companies with internal and external experts to accelerate success.
• Track company progress and investment outcomes, helping to protect and grow Ben Franklin’s portfolio.
• Support Tech Celerator and other entrepreneur programs, while building connections across the regional innovation ecosystem.

Who we’re looking for:

We seek candidates with strong business judgment, executive leadership, and a proven track record of driving growth, transformation, or innovation.

• Experience building, leading, investing in, or scaling businesses.
• Knowledge of venture investing, commercialization, business strategy, or corporate development.
• Ability to assess markets, teams, competition, financials, and growth potential.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence founders, investors, boards, and community leaders.
• Excellent communicator with strong relationship-building and decision-making skills.

Experience in one or more of the following environments is particularly valuable:

• Technology-based businesses
• Founder-led organizations
• Manufacturing and industrial technology
• Software or SaaS companies
• Engineering organizations
• Healthcare or life sciences
• Advanced materials or product development
• Venture-backed or investor-supported companies
• Organizations experiencing rapid growth or transformation

Many successful candidates have been founders, CEOs, presidents, COOs, CROs, general managers, business unit leaders, or growth executives. We also welcome applicants with comparable executive leadership and a record of organizational impact. Experience with boards, investors, universities, partners, or economic development organizations is a plus, but not required.

Preparing Your Application

In your resume and cover letter, showcase specific business impact, such as:

• Quantifying business growth, operational improvements, commercialization successes, or investment outcomes.
• Describing organizations you built, led, advised, or transformed.
• Highlighting fundraising, strategic partnerships, market expansion, or executive leadership accomplishments.

Why Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Ben Franklin is one of Pennsylvania’s most respected technology-based economic development organizations. You’ll…