Founder's Associate

I'm delighted to be partnering with a Series A start-up on the search for a sharp, driven and highly capable Founder's Associate to work directly alongside its founders.

The company has raised its Series A and is entering an important phase of growth, with an international footprint and a strong sense of purpose behind what it is building. The founders are looking for someone who can take real ownership and help them move faster.

This is not a traditional assistant role. You will sit close to the founders, hearing the reasoning behind decisions and picking up the work that sits between them and the rest of the business: projects, research, investor and board support, and operational priorities that need an owner. You will protect some of their time, but the real value is in what you take off their plate and run with.

The role is based in Amsterdam on a hybrid basis, with international travel as part of the job.

Key responsibilities

• Project ownership: Take on and drive priority projects for the founders from start to finish, keeping stakeholders aligned and work moving.
• Founder support: Help the founders manage their time, priorities and follow-ups so they can focus on the decisions that matter most.
• Investor & board support: Help prepare updates, materials and meeting packs, and keep track of actions arising.
• Research & analysis: Carry out research and analysis to inform decisions, and present clear, concise recommendations.
• Operations & process: Build and improve the systems and routines that help the business run smoothly as it scales.
• Cross-team coordination: Work across teams to unblock initiatives and make sure decisions turn into action.
• Travel & events: Plan and coordinate international travel, and support with events and meetings on the road.
• Confidential matters: Handle sensitive commercial and people information with discretion.

What we're looking for

• An ambitious, high-potential professional with a background in a role such as executive assistant, operations, consulting, project management or a start-up.
• Excellent judgement and the confidence to make sensible decisions without constant approval.
• A bias towards ownership: you finish things, and flag problems early.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with the ability to structure ambiguous problems.
• Excellent organisational skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Discretion and professionalism when working with sensitive information.
• Resilient and comfortable in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Curious about the business, its customers and its strategy, and keen to learn quickly.
• Based in, or willing to relocate to, Amsterdam, with the right to work in the Netherlands, and happy to travel internationally.

What's on offer

• A competitive salary, with details shared on enquiry.
• Direct exposure to the founders and to how a growing company is built and run.
• A broad, high-ownership role with room to grow into more responsibility as trust builds.
• A hybrid role based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• International travel, working with a team and partners across different markets.
• Personal mentoring from me during your first three months, as with every Second Brain Talent placement.

If you are a curious, driven and dependable operator who wants to be close to the action at an ambitious, fast-growing company, I'd love to speak with you.