Vc Operating Partner Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Description -

HP's Strategic Technology Accelerator is a fast-cycle engine that connects external technology ecosystems - incumbent ISVs, AI-native disruptors, universities, open-source communities, and VC-backed startups - to HP's product teams. We run POCs, build reference architectures, and turn external breakthroughs into validated proof points that accelerate HP's product roadmap.

We're hiring a Strategist to lead the program end-to-end. You'll run a portfolio of technical POCs, decide how each gets taken to the next level - whether that's a product feature, an open-source contribution, a sales demo, or captured IP - and drive adoption across HP product teams and go-to-market functions.

What You'll Do

• Own the full POC lifecycle across 5-10 concurrent external engagements: scoping, partner alignment, technical validation, and decisive next-step recommendations.

• Determine the right pathway for each POC - HP product roadmap integration, open-source contribution or spin-out, sales demo, analyst briefing, or IP capture.

• Drive adoption of external findings across HP product teams, sales, and marketing by building trust with senior leaders and navigating "not invented here" resistance.

• Capture reusable reference architectures and IP from every POC, even those that don't ship as products.

• Own technical engagement with university labs, open-source communities, research institutions, and strategic ISV partners.

• Report program outcomes to senior leadership with evidence-based recommendations.

What You'll Bring

Required

• 12+ years of experience spanning large-tech and startup or VC environments.

• Demonstrated track record running technical POCs end-to-end with measurable outcomes - including POCs you chose to kill.

• Evidence of influencing product or engineering roadmaps across org boundaries without formal authority.

• Technical depth sufficient to evaluate AI/ML, systems, or adjacent technologies as a peer to senior engineers.

• Experience structuring and managing technical partnerships with external entities (ISVs, labs, or startups).

Preferred

• Engineering or CS degree (BS required; MS/PhD valued).

• Prior experience in corporate development, strategic partnerships, or technology scouting at a large technology company.

• Existing network in AI research labs, open-source communities, or enterprise ISV ecosystems.

• Prior founder, early-stage operator, or corporate VC experience.

What Success Looks Like

• 6 months: POC portfolio defined and running; relationships established with key HP product team stakeholders.

• 12 months: At least two POCs have produced artifacts adopted into HP product roadmaps, open-source projects, or sales enablement; reference architecture library established.

• 18-24 months: Accelerator recognized internally as a durable source of de-risked technology bets; measurable reduction in HP product team time-to-ship on accelerator-sourced work.

Disclaimer
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.

The pay range for this role is$166,050to$265,700USD annually with additional opportunities for pay in the form of bonus and/or equity (applies to United States of America candidates only). Pay varies by work location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits:

HP offers a comprehensive benefits package for this position, including:

• Health insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Long term/short term disability insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible spending account

• Life insurance

• Generous time off policies, including;

• 4-12 weeks fully paid parental leave based on tenure

• 11 paid holidays

• Additional flexible paid vacation and sick leave (US benefits overview)

The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

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Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) -

HP, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prospective employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, uniformed service status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable national, federal, state, and local law(s).

Please be assured that you will not be subject to any adverse treatment if you choose to disclose the information requested. This information is provided voluntarily. The information obtained will be kept in strict confidence.

For more information, review HP'sEEO Policy or read about your rights as an applicant under the law here: "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal"