Chief of Staff & Head of Platform

Accountabilities

• Build an AI-native operating model: Design, deploy, and manage AI agents and workflows across sourcing, due diligence, investor relations, finance, and other core functions. Establish the organization as a working example of how AI can transform operational effectiveness, with learnings shared across the portfolio.

• Develop the operating partner network: Identify, recruit, and onboard board-level operating partners and cross-portfolio experts in People, Go-To-Market, and Finance. Equip them with the context, tools, and AI agents needed to support portfolio companies effectively.

• Run founder growth programs: Oversee the design and delivery of Growth Readiness programs that help founders turn validated technologies into commercially successful businesses, as well as Ocean Scalers, a peer-to-peer program for ocean-focused CEOs.

• Build scalable program operations: Establish effective program structures, operating cadences, and participant engagement. Ensure the right people are involved and implement agent-powered systems for preparation, follow-through, and knowledge capture.

• Develop RypplesOS: Transform board meetings, expert engagements, operating playbooks, and founder sessions into a continuously improving operating system that captures knowledge and enables repeatable execution.

• Drive portfolio value creation: Identify operational bottlenecks within portfolio companies and work directly with founders and teams to implement practical improvements, including helping businesses adopt AI-native operating models.

• Automate reporting and performance tracking: Build systems that generate shareholder reports and portfolio dashboards directly from operational data, reducing manual spreadsheet work and improving visibility into performance.

• Improve organizational execution: Identify opportunities to streamline internal processes, strengthen collaboration, and increase the effectiveness of teams and AI agents across the organization.

• Support continuous improvement: Capture insights from portfolio engagements, refine workflows and playbooks, and ensure that operational knowledge compounds as the organization and its portfolio grow.

Requirements

• Experience working closely with a founder-CEO at a fast-growing startup in a Chief of Staff or comparable operating role, or a track record of building and scaling a business independently.

• Strong entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to take ownership, make decisions, and translate strategic priorities into practical execution.

• Demonstrated ability to build and deploy AI agents and automated workflows that meaningfully improve how teams operate.

• Deep proficiency with AI tools and a consistent track record of integrating AI into everyday work and organizational processes.

• A strong bias toward action, with the ability to develop and ship working solutions in days rather than spending weeks planning.

• Credibility when working with CEOs, founder-operators, senior executives, and experienced functional leaders.

• Excellent executive-level communication skills, including the ability to build trust, influence stakeholders, and communicate complex ideas clearly.

• Experience designing and running structured programs that founders value, with strong operating cadence, coordination, and follow-through.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution across multiple functions and initiatives.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify operational challenges and build scalable solutions.

• Genuine commitment to ocean-positive innovation, environmental sustainability, and delivering meaningful planetary impact.

Benefits

• High-impact mission: Contribute to scaling ocean-positive solutions and advancing innovation that supports ocean and planetary health.

• Founder-level ownership: Help shape the organization's operating model, AI strategy, and portfolio support capabilities.

• AI-native innovation: Design and implement AI agents, workflows, and operating systems across multiple business functions.

• Broad strategic scope: Work across organizational operations, portfolio company development, founder programs, and value creation.

• Executive-level collaboration: Engage directly with founders, CEOs, operating partners, and senior talent.

• Opportunity to build from the ground up: Develop scalable systems and programs designed to compound in value as the organization grows.