Founder Associate

About the Role

Join a fast-growing, pre-seed AI startup that is reimagining how top talent connects with leading VC-backed companies. Operating at the intersection of AI and talent acquisition, this company automates and optimizes workflows within the global headhunting industry — creating dramatically better outcomes for both candidates and employers.

This is a true 0→1 operator seat, working directly alongside the founding team. You'll span product, growth, operations, and key partnerships — owning whatever drives the company forward fastest. If you want a role that feels like building your own company with a head start, this is it.

What You'll Do

• Founder-priority projects: Lead new market initiatives from strategy through execution

• Candidate experience & funnel: Improve conversion, quality, and outcomes for the hundreds of exceptional candidates engaging with the platform daily

• Ops & systems: Design 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

• Drive high-leverage projects end-to-end, learning how a high-performance early-stage team makes decisions

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across founders, engineers, and recruiting stakeholders

• Experience with one or more components of the tech stack (TypeScript/JavaScript, Python, React, Node.js, PostgreSQL) — or a demonstrated ability to learn new technologies quickly

• On-site presence in San Francisco (or willingness to relocate)

• Prior experience in a startup environment, or in roles with high ownership and accountability

• 2–6 years of overall professional experience

Nice to Have:

• Interest in AI-driven recruiting or a talent-first approach to hiring

• Comfort navigating ambiguity and moving at speed

• Ambition toward becoming a founder, GM, or early-stage executive

You'll Thrive Here If You Want

• Real ownership — not "helping," but driving outcomes

• A team that values speed, sharp thinking, and high standards

• A fast track toward a founder, GM, or early exec trajectory

• The energy of building in-person alongside a small, ambitious core team

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $90,000 – $120,000 USD annually

• Visa sponsorship available

Location

• On-site only — San Francisco, CA, United States

• In-person, co-located environment with zero commute and tight feedback loops