Founder's Associate

Job description

We are looking for a high-agency Founder’s Associate to work directly with the founder across operations, execution, recruiting, AI workflows, growth systems, and strategic initiatives. This is not a traditional assistant role. You will operate as an extension of the founder inside a fast-moving AI company where priorities shift quickly, systems are constantly evolving, and speed matters. This role is best suited for builders/operators who want steep learning curves, direct ownership, and exposure to how an AI startup is built from the inside. Tasks You will operate as an extension of the founder inside a fast-moving AI company where priorities shift quickly, systems are constantly evolving, and speed matters. This role is best suited for builders/operators who want steep learning curves, direct ownership, and exposure to how an AI startup is built from the inside. Requirements Must-Have Strong builder/operator mentality High agency and bias toward execution Comfortable operating in rapid iteration Experience building systems, workflows, automations, or operational processes Strong problem-solving ability Ability to move quickly without constant oversight Strong communication and organizational skills Genuine interest in AI systems, automation, and startups Strong Plus Experience shipping AI-powered automations or workflows Built AI side projects or experimented with AI systems Hands-on operational experience using AI tools Experience integrating AI into real-world systems or processes Startup operator or founder-associate experience Experience using Notion, Airtable, Make, Zapier, or similar tooling This Role Is NOT For Candidates seeking structured corporate environments Candidates who need highly defined responsibilities Purely administrative assistants Candidates without hands-on execution experience Candidates interested in AI only from a theoretical perspective Candidates not based in Berlin or unwilling to relocate Benefits Real Equity: We treat early team members like partners. You’ll receive meaningful equity so the upside you help create is shared. Direct Access to Leadership: You are part of the core conversation. You will work side by side with the CEO and founders every day to solve hard problems and set the strategy. Work on Hard, Emerging Problems: We are building infrastructure for AI agents operating on sensitive, real time data without relying on centralized black box platforms. While parts of this ecosystem exist, the architecture for doing it securely and reliably at scale is still evolving. Small Team, High Output: We believe the best teams are small and extremely capable. AI tools increase individual leverage, so we hire fewer people and expect a much higher level of ownership and output. Autonomy With Accountability: We hire people who don’t wait for permission to solve problems. If you see a better way to build something, you’re expected to propose it and ship it. Hybrid Work, Built Around Collaboration: We believe great systems are built through close collaboration. The team works in a hybrid setup and regularly spends time together in person in Berlin and San Francisco for focused building sessions and hackathons. Our Hiring Process We move fast, stay transparent, and focus on real collaboration. Here’s what the process looks like: Intro Call – A quick chat to align on expectations, interests, and team fit with COS. CEO Interview – A strategic discussion around vision, mindset, and long-term alignment. Reference Collection – We’ll speak with a few people you’ve worked closely with. Paid Trial (~5 Days) – A short, real-world engagement so we can see how we work together — happening in parallel with offer and terms discussion.