Operations Associate

Operations AssociateLocation: New York, NY Work Style: In-office, co-located with founders, product, and engineering Team: Operations Reports To: COO / Co-Founder Focus: Operations, Finance, HR, Automation, AI-First Internal SystemsAbout Our ClientOur client is building an AI-native platform for capital markets.Across the OTC derivatives trade lifecycle — from trade capture through confirmations, reconciliation, lifecycle events, and settlement — many workflows still rely on email, PDFs, manual processes, and fragmented systems.Our client is replacing those legacy workflows with intelligent automation. Their platform ingests trade data in multiple formats, standardizes it in real time, and helps counterparties align at the point of trade. The result is faster processing, fewer errors, and fully auditable digital workflows.The company is backed by top-tier venture investors and based in New York. The team includes engineers, quants, and capital markets experts working directly with some of the most sophisticated participants in financial services.About the RoleOur client is hiring an Operations Associate to give the founders meaningful operating leverage as the company scales.This is a junior, high-ownership generalist role that sits across operations, HR, finance, corporate administration, investor support, compliance, and internal systems. Because the company is still early, these functions have not yet been split into separate teams. This role will touch all of them.What makes this role different is the automation-first mindset. Our client is an AI-native company, and they want operations to run the same way. The right person will look at every workflow and ask: "How can this be automated, simplified, or turned into a system?"This is an ideal opportunity for someone early in their career — for example, someone from investment banking, consulting, professional services, or startup operations — who wants to become a COO, Chief of Staff, or startup operator over time.What You'll DoAutomation & AI-First OperationsTreat every workflow as something that can be improved, automated, or systematizedDesign new processes to run automatically from day oneUse AI tools, scripts, and no-code or low-code platforms to reduce manual workPartner with engineering to build internal tools and automations across finance, operations, HR, and complianceContinuously improve the operating systems that help the company scale without unnecessary headcountFinance, Billing & AdministrationOwn the monthly billing cycle end-to-end, including invoicing, sales tax, reconciliations, collections, and new-client setupManage invoice payments, expenses, cashflow tracking, and vendor coordinationKeep bank, card, billing, and finance systems reconciledBuild automated reporting and reconciliation workflows where possibleSupport finance operations as the company scalesPeople & HR OperationsSupport hiring and onboarding end-to-endCoordinate recruiters, interview processes, contracts, payroll, equity grants, and new-hire setupManage people operations across PEO, 401(k), visas, compliance, and year-end review workflowsStreamline and automate recurring HR and people processes over timeCorporate, Compliance & Investor SupportManage the corporate calendar, including filings, tax items, R&D studies, 409A updates, insurance, and recurring deadlinesKeep the cap table accurate and help maintain clean tracking systemsSupport the founders with quarterly investor reporting, board preparation, and fundraising administrationManage data sharing, follow-up tracking, and recurring reporting workflowsOwn client due diligence and security questionnaires, working closely with the CTO to gather accurate responses and supporting evidenceCoordinate recurring compliance reviews, including SOC 2, evidence collection, auditor requests, and certification timelinesOffice, Events & Special ProjectsKeep the office and team running smoothly across space, suppliers, travel, meetings, and day-to-day operationsPlan client events, team events, and internal gatheringsField website inbound and route requests appropriatelyTake on special projects for the foundersAct as connective tissue across a small, fast-moving teamWhat We're Looking For1–3 years of experience in a demanding, detail-intensive environment such as investment banking, consulting, professional services, finance, or startup operationsStrong organization and project management skillsAbility to manage many workstreams at once without letting details slipAutomation-first mindset and excitement about using AI, scripts, and no-code or low-code tools to improve workflowsStrong initiative and ownership in ambiguous environmentsWillingness to roll up your sleeves across administrative, operational, financial, and strategic workComfort with billing, invoices, expenses, cashflow, and basic corporate financeSound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive company, investor, employee, and financial informationStrong communication skills and a service mindset toward teammates, customers, investors, and foundersInterest in learning how a high-growth startup is built from the insideBonus ExperienceExperience building or using tools to automate finance, HR, compliance, or operations workflowsExperience with AI tools, scripting, no-code, low-code, or internal automation platformsInvestment banking, consulting, or startup operations backgroundExposure to HR, finance, legal, compliance, client due diligence, or information security processesInterest in capital markets, fintech, financial infrastructure, or enterprise softwareExperience completing client or vendor due diligence questionnairesExperience coordinating audits, certifications, SOC 2, or similar compliance processesWhy This OpportunityJoin an early-stage AI-native capital markets company backed by top-tier investorsWork directly with the COO, CEO, CTO, and founding teamGet broad exposure across finance, HR, operations, compliance, investor relations, and internal systemsBuild the operating foundation of the company from the ground upLearn how to scale a startup from inside the room where decisions are madeUse AI and automation to build an operations function that scales through better systems, not more manual workStep into a launchpad role for someone who wants to become a COO, Chief of Staff, or senior startup operatorIdeal Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate is an early-career operator who is exceptionally organized, highly proactive, and excited to build systems.They are comfortable doing unglamorous work reliably while also identifying opportunities to automate, improve, and scale company operations. They can handle details, protect sensitive information, communicate clearly, and move quickly without needing a ready-made playbook.This person wants to grow into a serious startup operator, not stay on a traditional finance or professional services path.