Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE We're looking for a Chief of Staff to serve as a force multiplier for the CEO. This is a part-time contract role (at least 20 hours per week, with flexibility on scheduling) designed for someone who can move fluidly between strategy and execution. This isn't a "shadow the executive" role. You'll own real problems, make real decisions, and have direct impact on how the company scales. The position has a clear path to full-time conversion, with a mutual evaluation at the 3-month mark. The ideal candidate has the horsepower of a top-tier consultant, the scrappiness of an early startup employee, and the judgment to know when to ask questions versus when to just figure it out. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Drive strategic planning: Own the quarterly planning process, track KPIs, and keep the company aligned on what matters. - Fix what's broken: Identify bottlenecks in how we work, communicate, and ship. Implement solutions without waiting to be told. - Lead cross-functional projects: Take ownership of high-priority initiatives that don't fit neatly into existing teams, whether that's analyzing a new market, coordinating a product launch, or preparing for a fundraise. - Maximize the CEO's time: Manage priorities, prepare materials for board meetings and investor conversations, and handle external engagements. - Support hiring and culture: Help recruit key roles and maintain a strong, unified culture across our SF and Tokyo teams. - Build the information edge: Conduct research on competitors, market trends, and potential partnerships to inform decisions at the top. REQUIREMENTS Experience - 2+ years in a high-performance environment: top-tier management consulting, investment banking, or Chief of Staff at a high-growth startup. - Track record of managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and delivering under pressure. - Exceptional communication skills. You can take messy information and turn it into a clear, concise narrative. - Strong analytical and financial modeling skills. - Native/Bilingual proficiency in English. Bonus - Prior experience as a founder or early employee at a venture-backed startup. MINDSET - Ownership: You treat this like your company. You don't wait for permission to solve problems. - Adaptability: You're comfortable with ambiguity and can pivot between strategic, financial, and operational challenges without losing momentum. - Discretion: You'll have access to sensitive information. You operate with integrity and keep confidences.

Requirements

Must-haves

The ideal candidate has the horsepower of a top-tier consultant, the scrappiness of an early startup employee, and the judgment to know when to ask questions versus when to just figure it out.
Drive strategic planning: Own the quarterly planning process, track KPIs, and keep the company aligned on what matters.
Fix what's broken: Identify bottlenecks in how we work, communicate, and ship. Implement solutions without waiting to be told.
Lead cross-functional projects: Take ownership of high-priority initiatives that don't fit neatly into existing teams, whether that's analyzing a new market, coordinating a product launch, or preparing for a fundraise.
Maximize the CEO's time: Manage priorities, prepare materials for board meetings and investor conversations, and handle external engagements.
Support hiring and culture: Help recruit key roles and maintain a strong, unified culture across our SF and Tokyo teams.
Build the information edge: Conduct research on competitors, market trends, and potential partnerships to inform decisions at the top.
2+ years in a high-performance environment: top-tier management consulting, investment banking, or Chief of Staff at a high-growth startup.
Track record of managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and delivering under pressure.
Exceptional communication skills. You can take messy information and turn it into a clear, concise narrative.
Strong analytical and financial modeling skills.
Native/Bilingual proficiency in English.
Ownership: You treat this like your company. You don't wait for permission to solve problems.
Adaptability: You're comfortable with ambiguity and can pivot between strategic, financial, and operational challenges without losing momentum.
Discretion: You'll have access to sensitive information. You operate with integrity and keep confidences.

Nice-to-haves

Prior experience as a founder or early employee at a venture-backed startup.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: ashby
Effort: quick