Founder Associate

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a true 0→1 operator seat sitting directly alongside the founding team of a fast-growing, pre-seed AI startup disrupting the global recruitment industry. The company uses AI to directly connect top talent with high-growth startups — bypassing traditional job boards and application processes entirely. Backed by prominent angels and funds across the AI and venture ecosystem, the team is small, ambitious, and moving fast.

As a Founder Associate, you won't be "helping" — you'll be driving outcomes. You'll work across product, growth, operations, and key partnerships, taking full ownership of high-impact, ambiguous problems that move the company forward. Think of it as building your own company with a head start.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Founder-priority projects: Lead new market initiatives, strategy development, and end-to-end execution
• Candidate experience & funnel: Improve conversion rates, quality of matches, and overall outcomes for candidates
• Ops & systems: Design and implement scalable processes that keep pace with rapid growth
• Go-to-market support: Refine messaging, run experiments, and develop partnerships
• Product feedback loops: Translate real-world candidate and company needs into actionable product priorities
• Cross-functional ownership: Operate fluidly across any function where you can create the most leverage

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• 2–6 years of experience in a high-performance environment (consulting, early-stage startups, operations, or similar)
• Demonstrated ability to own complex workflows end-to-end and drive measurable outcomes
• Comfortable with speed, ambiguity, and high standards — you raise the bar, not just meet it
• Motivated by working across product, growth, operations, and partnerships simultaneously
• Must be based in (or willing to relocate to) San Francisco and work fully in-person with the founding team
• Strong written and verbal communication; sharp, structured thinking

Nice to Have

• Aspiration to become a founder, General Manager, or early-stage executive
• Prior experience at a high-growth startup or top-tier consulting / tech firm
• Familiarity with AI tools, recruitment tech, or marketplace businesses

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $90,000 – $120,000 USD annually
• Equity participation (early-stage, meaningful upside)
• Visa sponsorship available
• Direct mentorship from the founding team with a fast track to senior leadership

LOCATION

This role is fully on-site in San Francisco, CA. The team works and builds together in person — zero commute, tight feedback loops, and a high-energy in-person culture are core to how this team operates. Remote work is not available for this position.