Technical Assistant

Intellectual Ventures (“IV”) is a privately-held, invention investment company based in Bellevue, Washington. Founded in 2000, the company’s business model centers on creating, acquiring and licensing pure invention in a variety of technology areas with plans to commercialize inventions through licensing, spin-offs, joint ventures and industry partnerships.  We believe invention sparks progress, and our mission is to be the leader in the business of invention.

IV offers a dynamic work environment that thrives on creativity, adaptability, passion and self-motivation. Excellent salary and benefits, flexible working environment.

We are seeking a bright, emotionally intelligent and highly motivated Technical Assistant to the Chief Technology Officer. This role is a leadership development position, targeted at individuals who want one day to be leaders within the company. It is based on the TA concept from the early days of Microsoft, when the idea of software was revolutionary and hard to understand.  At that time, the fast growing company that was simultaneously helping to pioneer an industry needed flexible problem solvers to support Bill Gates in the administrative and business aspects of his day: people who could be coaches and project managers one minute, analysts the next, and executive assistants the next.  Many of Bill Gates’ TAs went on to leadership positions in the company and are still there today.

Key Responsibilities:

Since Intellectual Ventures is all about investing in invention, the CTO’s office is critical in the long- and short-term strategy of the business.

The primary focus of the Technical Assistant role will be to help the CTO communicate business and technology strategy with the wider organization.  The TA is also responsible for research and daily administrative and project management support of the CTO’s portfolio of activities. This includes everything from calendar management such as scheduling meetings and travel, to performing research and analysis or coordinating the work of others in the business.  In exchange for wearing multiple hats and being an on-demand resource, the TA will get to work with one of the leading technologists in the world, and be part of a new industry as it unfolds. Most importantly, this person will have the CTO’s mentorship and support for a transition to a leadership role in the business in 18-24 months.

If you’re willing to work extremely hard in exchange for carte blanche to define your career, this should be a powerful proposition.

The ideal profile is someone with a mix of technology/technical and business experience, based on work history and academic background. In addition to the daily responsibilities, this person will be expected to learn about our business, build a development plan and develop relationships that will facilitate his/her own next role in the organization.

Key Qualifications and Required Skills:

• Self directed; survives (or thrives) on dealing with ambiguity.


• Customer focus.


• Eager to learn.


• Emotional intelligence and diplomacy.


• Highly organized and pays close attention to detail.


• Able to maintain confidentiality.


• Strong business and technical writing skills and the ability to develop technology and business strategy ideas and clearly communicate them to the business. Draft and bring communications to completion – preserving the executive’s vision and voice.


• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related degree required. Alternately, we are also interested in candidates with a strong science/technical background with project management/cross business experience.


• 3-5 years experience working in a performance driven, fast paced work environment. Experience in a start up environment would be ideal.


• Experience interfacing at C level within company and outward facing with customers.


• Experience preparing for executive level meetings and presentations including drafting PowerPoint decks, drafting preparatory documents/books, negotiating and booking meeting venues, making travel arrangement.


• Demonstrated ability to manage email and phone communications at an executive level.


• Demonstrated strong technology literacy and advanced skills with MS Suite of products.


• Proven ability to facilitate decision making relying upon background in. mathematics/financial analysis and modeling.


• Chinese or Japanese read/write translation proficiency preferred.


• SQL, C, or any structured programming preferred.


• Some exposure to IP law or concepts preferred.

We are an equal opportunity employer