Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Co-Founder

Job Description

Job Description

Project Overview

HireScale is seeking a Co-Founder / COO (Equity-Based Operations Partner) to build and scale the consulting operations engine behind our Future of Work marketplace. This is an internal founding role within a 4-person executive team, designed for a proven operator in the consulting industry who has already built, run, and monetized a network of clients and independent consultants.

The company model, brand, and marketplace foundation are already established. The next phase is execution at scale—building a high-performance consulting operations layer that connects enterprise demand with fractional, independent, and AI-augmented talent supply in a seamless, scalable way.

This role is not advisory. It is not fractional oversight. It is a true co-founder operating role responsible for owning revenue, operations, talent liquidity, and marketplace performance end-to-end.

You will be responsible for building and optimizing the core operating system of the talent marketplace , including supply acquisition, client delivery, pricing strategy, vendor ecosystem, and platform utilization. A deep understanding of Future of Work (FoW) dynamics, consulting marketplaces, and AI-enabled workforce models is essential.

This is a high-conviction equity opportunity built for someone who wants to participate in a meaningful exit over the next 3–5 years , with significant ownership tied to long-term company success.

Scope of Work & Core Responsibilities

• Define and execute the end-to-end strategy for HireScale’s consulting and talent marketplace operations
• Build and scale a high-performance fractional and independent consulting supply network
• Own marketplace liquidity across both sides: enterprise clients and independent consultants
• Design and implement revenue generation strategies to drive scalable growth and profitability
• Develop dynamic pricing models based on supply-demand, value creation, and market positioning
• Establish and scale payment infrastructure and financial operations (e.g., Bill.com, Gusto, Coupa, Airtm, or equivalent systems)
• Partner with engineering teams to integrate payment, billing, and marketplace transaction systems via APIs
• Oversee marketplace platform operations, ensuring efficient matching of talent to client opportunities
• Align marketplace execution with overall company strategy, growth targets, and investor expectations
• Build and manage vendor, partner, and ecosystem relationships to expand marketplace reach
• Design and optimize talent acquisition, engagement, and retention strategies for consultants
• Analyze marketplace, revenue, and workforce data to drive operational and strategic decisions
• Develop and track KPIs tied to revenue growth, utilization, margin, and marketplace efficiency
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, contractor regulations, and data privacy requirements across regions
• Build and lead cross-functional alignment across sales, marketing, product, engineering, finance, and talent operations
• Establish scalable operating rhythms, governance models, and execution frameworks for marketplace growth
• Act as a key external-facing leader, representing HireScale in consulting, talent, and Future of Work ecosystems

Engagement Brief

This is a founding executive role responsible for building and scaling the consulting operations engine of HireScale’s talent marketplace. Success is measured by marketplace liquidity, revenue growth, consultant engagement, client satisfaction, and the creation of a scalable operating model that can support long-term company expansion and exit potential.

• Target Outcomes: A fully operational, high-growth consulting marketplace with strong supply-demand liquidity, scalable revenue streams, and optimized consultant utilization. Establish a durable operating model that aligns talent, clients, and platform systems into a unified revenue-generating ecosystem.
• Duration: Full-time founding role (3–5 year exit horizon)
• Commitment: Executive Co-Founder / COO-level ownership role
• Compensation: Significant equity ownership + revenue share aligned with performance and long-term exit value
• Start Date: ASAP

Portfolio Requirements:

• Proven founder or executive experience in consulting, staffing, or talent marketplace businesses
• Established track record of building and billing a consulting business (minimum $500K ARR from personal and/or managed consulting resources)
• Demonstrated experience managing fractional, independent, or distributed consulting teams
• Strong understanding of marketplace dynamics, revenue operations, and talent supply chains
• Experience with payment, billing, and financial infrastructure tools (e.g., Coupa, Bill.com, Gusto, Airtm, or equivalent systems)
• Deep knowledge of Future of Work trends including AI, automation, remote work, and workforce marketplaces
• Strong executive leadership experience across sales, operations, finance, and talent functions
• Established network within consulting, enterprise clients, or technology ecosystems
• Experience as a public-facing thought leader (podcasting, writing, speaking, or talent entrepreneurship strongly preferred)
• Ability to operate as both a strategic executive and hands-on operator in a fast-moving environment

 About HireScale

HireScale is redefining how people and organizations grow and work together. We connect companies with top-rated independent consultants to build agile, highly skilled and resilient teams; while also empowering talent to shape their own paths and align meaningful work with personal freedom and purpose. Our goal is a future where opportunity is open, work is self-directed, and everyone thrives.