Founders Associate

About the Role

This is a core operator role working directly with the founders of a small, fast-moving AI startup building purpose-built agents for the sea and air freight industry. You will own high-leverage workstreams end-to-end, from internal operations to go-to-market, and grow into senior operating or founding responsibility over time.

What You'll Do

Own and run cross-functional projects spanning finance, operations, compliance, and people. Build and manage internal systems, tooling, and automations that enable the company to scale. Lead recruiting efforts end-to-end, including sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding new team members. Support go-to-market initiatives and help bring AI agent products to enterprise customers. Step into whatever challenge moves the company forward, from board preparation to vendor management. Work shoulder-to-shoulder with the founders on the highest-priority problems each week.

What We're Looking For

2+ years of experience in generalist, operating, consulting, or founding roles, ideally in early-stage or high-agency environments. Proven ability to build internal systems, tooling, and automations hands-on, not just direct others. Technical background or strong working knowledge of AI, software architecture, and automation principles, with the ability to evaluate technical feasibility.

Experience running cross-functional projects end-to-end and owning outcomes with minimal supervision. Experience supporting B2B go-to-market initiatives and enterprise customer engagement. Full fluency in both German and English, with clear communication across technical and non-technical stakeholders.

High integrity, strong work ethic, and a bias toward urgency and action. Familiarity with logistics, supply chain, or enterprise operations is a plus. Experience with board preparation, financial reporting, or investor relations in early-stage companies is a plus.

Background in consulting, strategy, or process optimization is a plus. Compensation & Benefits Competitive salary plus meaningful equity participation. Visa sponsorship is not available ; local work authorization is required.

Location On-site in Berlin, Germany . In-person presence is strongly preferred.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a core operator role working directly with the founders of a small, fast-moving AI startup building purpose-built agents for the sea and air freight industry. You will own high-leverage workstreams end-to-end, from internal operations to go-to-market, and grow into senior operating or founding responsibility over time.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own and run cross-functional projects spanning finance, operations, compliance, and people.
• Build and manage internal systems, tooling, and automations that enable the company to scale.
• Lead recruiting efforts end-to-end, including sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding new team members.
• Support go-to-market initiatives and help bring AI agent products to enterprise customers.
• Step into whatever challenge moves the company forward, from board preparation to vendor management.
• Work shoulder-to-shoulder with the founders on the highest-priority problems each week.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

- 2+ years of experience in generalist, operating, consulting, or founding roles, ideally in early-stage or high-agency environments.

• Proven ability to build internal systems, tooling, and automations hands-on, not just direct others.
• Technical background or strong working knowledge of AI, software architecture, and automation principles, with the ability to evaluate technical feasibility.
• Experience running cross-functional projects end-to-end and owning outcomes with minimal supervision.
• Experience supporting B2B go-to-market initiatives and enterprise customer engagement.
• Full fluency in both German and English, with clear communication across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• High integrity, strong work ethic, and a bias toward urgency and action.
• Familiarity with logistics, supply chain, or enterprise operations is a plus.
• Experience with board preparation, financial reporting, or investor relations in early-stage companies is a plus.
• Background in consulting, strategy, or process optimization is a plus. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Competitive salary plus meaningful equity participation. Visa sponsorship is not available; local work authorization is required. LOCATION On-site in Berlin, Germany. In-person presence is strongly preferred.