Founder Associate

About this role

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join a fast-moving, pre-seed AI startup that is reimagining how top talent connects with high-growth companies. Operating at the intersection of AI and talent acquisition, this company automates and optimizes workflows within the global headhunting industry — putting candidates first and dramatically improving hiring outcomes for both job seekers and startups alike.

This is a true 0→1 operator seat sitting directly alongside the founding team. You'll work fluidly across product, growth, operations, and key partnerships — whatever moves 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

You'll take full ownership of ambiguous, high-impact problems, including:

- Founder-priority projects: from new market initiatives to strategy and execution

- Candidate experience & funnel: improve conversion, quality, and outcomes at scale

- Ops & systems: design scalable processes that keep pace with rapid growth

- Go-to-market support: help refine messaging, run experiments, and develop partnerships

- Product feedback loops: translate real-world candidate and company needs into actionable product priorities

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required:

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; 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

- 2–6 years of experience in a startup environment or in roles with high ownership and accountability

- On-site availability in San Francisco (this is an in-person, high-intensity role)

Nice to have:

- Genuine interest in AI-driven recruiting or talent-first approaches to hiring

- Comfort navigating ambiguity and moving at speed

- Background at a high-growth startup, consulting firm, or investment firm

You'll thrive here if you want:

- A fast track toward becoming a founder, GM, or early exec

- Real ownership — not just "helping," but driving outcomes

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

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

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

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

- Visa sponsorship is available

- Early-stage equity opportunity (details shared during the interview process)

LOCATION

- San Francisco, CA, USA — fully on-site

- This is an intensely in-person role; the team works and builds together from a shared SF location

- Zero commute, 10× feedback loops, and tight-knit team collaboration are core to how this team operates