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.