Founder's Associate (Chief of Staff Track) - 26070601

Our client is building AI-native search and merchandising software for Shopify Plus brands. They help enterprise ecommerce merchants deliver smarter shopping experiences powered by AI.

We're looking for someone who wants to work side-by-side with a founder, learn every part of an early-stage SaaS business, and grow into a Chief of Staff or Operations leader.

This isn't an Executive Assistant role with nowhere to grow. It's a structured path from supporting the CEO to owning critical business operations.

What you'll do

Work alongside the CEO

You'll become an extension of the founder by participating in meetings, understanding how decisions are made, and ensuring execution happens afterward.

You'll:

• Attend leadership and customer meetings

• Prepare agendas, notes, and follow-ups

• Manage the CEO's calendar, inbox, and priorities

• Keep projects moving by coordinating across the team

• Ensure important decisions translate into action

Own company operations

You'll gradually take ownership of operational work that currently sits with the founder.

Examples include:

• Payroll and finance administration

• Contracts and document management

• Vendor coordination

• Internal processes and documentation

• Meeting cadence and operational follow-through

• Handling confidential company information with discretion

What success looks like

During your first month

• Learn the business, product, and customers

• Shadow the CEO across meetings and operations

• Take ownership of day-to-day executive support

• Build context across every part of the company

By month three

You'll independently own:

• Payroll and finance administration

• Contracts and vendor management

• Company operating cadence

• Meeting preparation and follow-through

• Cross-functional coordination

Rather than supporting these functions, you'll be responsible for ensuring they run smoothly.

As you grow

You'll take on broader operational ownership, represent the CEO when appropriate, and help build the systems that allow the company to grow.

This role is intentionally designed as a Chief of Staff track. Your responsibilities and title will evolve based on your impact.

We're looking for someone who

• Has experience as a Founder's Associate, Chief of Staff, Operations Associate, Business Operations, or another founder-adjacent role

• Has worked in a startup or SaaS environment

• Enjoys solving ambiguous problems and creating structure

• Is exceptionally organized and follows through on details

• Communicates clearly, both verbally and in writing

• Takes ownership without waiting for direction

• Is comfortable handling highly confidential information

• Wants to grow into an operational leadership role

Nice to have

• Ecommerce or Shopify experience

• Experience with payroll, contracts, or finance administration

• Comfortable learning technical products and AI tools

This role may not be the right fit if

• You prefer highly structured environments with clearly defined processes

• You're looking for a traditional Executive Assistant position

• You aren't interested in growing into an operations leadership role

• You aren't comfortable handling sensitive or confidential information

• You prefer focusing on a single function rather than wearing multiple hats