Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) based in India.** Take on a strategic leadership role in a small, international technology organization developing innovative open-source electronic design automation (EDA) tools. As Chief Operating Officer, you will oversee financial planning and business operations, helping create the structure needed for sustainable growth. You will work closely with project management and technical teams to improve processes, strengthen financial performance, and support effective decision-making. Your responsibilities will span budgeting, forecasting, pricing, contracts, team development, and grant funding. This opportunity is suited to an experienced operator who thrives in a lean environment, takes initiative, and empowers teams to work independently. The position is fully remote and part-time, offering flexibility and meaningful influence over the organization's operational direction. ### Accountabilities: You will own the organization's financial management and operational processes, ensuring resources are used effectively while supporting the needs of a growing technical team. Your responsibilities will include: - **Financial planning and budgeting:** Monitor budgets and expenditures, ensuring financial resources remain aligned with organizational priorities and business objectives. - **Forecasting and financial analysis:** Develop financial forecasts and strategic models, analyze staffing costs and project variances, and provide insights to support management decisions. - **Pricing strategy:** Evaluate pricing models and development service costs to improve revenue generation and market competitiveness. - **Performance metrics:** Define and track customer retention and lifetime value indicators to support sustainable business growth. - **Grant-related financial requirements:** Participate in grant meetings and prepare the documentation needed to satisfy funding and project requirements. - **Operational leadership:** Collaborate with the Project Manager to improve workflows, streamline processes, and build scalable operational practices. - **Team leadership:** Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, while conducting one-to-one meetings and managing the biannual performance review process. - **Contract management:** Oversee the contract lifecycle, including redline requests, invoicing, and administration through client financial portals such as SAP Ariba. - **Grant research and applications:** Identify relevant funding opportunities, coordinate non-technical grant proposal activities, manage submissions, and track deadlines. - **Problem-solving and delegation:** Identify operational challenges early, delegate responsibilities effectively, and help the team work efficiently with limited resources. **Requirements:** You are an experienced finance and operations professional who can balance strategic oversight with hands-on execution. You are comfortable working autonomously in a small organization, where initiative, practical judgment, and effective delegation are essential. The key requirements include: - Previous experience in business operations, financial management, finance, or a comparable leadership role. - Experience working with small businesses, startups, or lean organizations where resources and training capacity may be limited. - Strong budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and financial modeling skills. - Understanding of pricing strategies, service costs, customer retention, and lifetime value metrics. - Experience managing contracts, invoicing, and administrative processes involving clients or external partners. - Familiarity with grant funding, funding applications, or financial documentation for project-based work. - Proven ability to develop and improve operational processes in collaboration with project managers and technical teams. - Strong people-management skills, including conducting one-to-one meetings, supporting performance reviews, and encouraging accountability. - Ability to delegate tasks, empower colleagues, and address problems proactively. - Excellent organizational skills, sound judgment, and a structured approach to managing competing priorities. - Ability to work independently and communicate effectively in an international, remote-first environment. - Eligibility to work with an organization supporting US government contractors; applicants must not reside in a country subject to applicable sanctions or export restrictions and must not otherwise be prohibited from performing work for the US government. **Benefits:** - **Competitive full-time-equivalent compensation:** €6,000 per month for full-time contract work, with the actual compensation adjusted according to the agreed number of working days. - **Flexible part-time schedule:** Approximately one to three days per week, allowing you to balance this role with other professional commitments. - **Fully remote work:** Work from anywhere worldwide, subject to applicable sanctions, export-control, and eligibility restrictions. - **Flexible working hours:** Organize your working time around your responsibilities, with team meetings generally scheduled between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Vienna time. - **Strategic influence:** Take ownership of core financial and operational functions and contribute directly to organizational development. - **Broad leadership responsibilities:** Gain exposure to financial strategy, team management, contracts, pricing, and grant funding. - **Close collaboration:** Work directly with a small, specialized team in an open-source technology environment. - **Independent contractor arrangement:** Engage as a freelancer or self-employed professional rather than as a salaried employee. - **Opportunity to make an impact:** Help build scalable business operations that support the development and adoption of open-source EDA tools.