Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Founder Assistant

💰 $75,000 - $120,000

OperationsAdministrationStrategyStartup

🎯 Role Definition

Welcome to the nerve center of our organization. The Founder Assistant is more than a support role; it's a strategic partnership designed to be a force multiplier for our Founder. You will be the trusted right-hand, acting as a gatekeeper and a gateway, ensuring the Founder's time and energy are focused on driving the company's vision forward. This position requires a unique blend of strategic thinking, operational excellence, and impeccable discretion. You'll have a front-row seat to every aspect of building a high-growth company, operating with a high degree of autonomy to manage key projects, streamline communications, and anticipate needs before they arise. If you are a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment, this role offers an unparalleled opportunity for impact and growth.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Executive Assistant to C-Suite
  • Operations Associate / Manager
  • Project Coordinator / Manager
  • Management Consultant (Analyst/Associate)

Advancement To:

  • Chief of Staff
  • Director of Operations
  • Head of Special Projects
  • Business Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Product Manager
  • Business Development Manager
  • People Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Act as a strategic thought partner to the Founder, providing critical leverage and support on key business initiatives, long-term strategic planning, and fundraising activities.
  • Manage and orchestrate a wide range of complex, cross-functional projects from inception to completion, ensuring deadlines are met and key stakeholders are aligned across departments.
  • Prepare, draft, and refine critical internal and external communications on behalf of the Founder, including investor updates, board meeting materials, all-hands presentations, and company-wide announcements.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison between the Founder and key stakeholders, including investors, board members, strategic partners, and the senior leadership team, ensuring professional and timely correspondence.
  • Proactively manage the Founder's calendar with a strategic and forward-thinking approach, prioritizing appointments, de-conflicting schedules, and safeguarding time for deep work on critical business priorities.
  • Attend key internal and external meetings alongside or on behalf of the Founder, capturing detailed notes, identifying key takeaways, and ensuring follow-through on all action items.
  • Conduct in-depth research and analysis on market trends, competitive landscapes, potential investors, and new business opportunities to inform strategic decision-making.
  • Lead the planning and execution of leadership offsites, board meetings, and other high-stakes events, managing all logistics from agenda creation and material preparation to venue coordination.
  • Develop and maintain a system for tracking key company metrics and project statuses, providing regular reports and dashboards to the Founder and leadership team.
  • Function as a trusted confidant, handling highly confidential information with the utmost discretion and providing a sounding board for new ideas and challenges.
  • Drive the operational cadence of the leadership team, including organizing weekly meetings, tracking progress against quarterly goals (OKRs), and facilitating effective decision-making processes.

Secondary Functions

  • Coordinate complex domestic and international travel arrangements, including flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and detailed itineraries to ensure a seamless and productive experience.
  • Manage and process expense reports, invoices, and other financial documentation in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring compliance with company policies.
  • Support the planning and execution of company-wide events, team-building activities, and cultural initiatives to foster a positive and connected work environment.
  • Assist in the onboarding process for new senior-level hires, ensuring they are well-integrated and have the necessary resources to succeed.
  • Provide ad-hoc personal support to the Founder as needed to ensure their focus remains on the business, maintaining a clear boundary between professional and personal tasks.
  • Streamline office operations and administrative workflows, identifying and implementing new processes or tools to enhance efficiency across the organization.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to provide quick insights for urgent business questions.
  • Contribute to the organization's knowledge management by documenting key processes and decisions in a centralized repository like Notion or Confluence.
  • Collaborate with People Operations to support recruitment coordination for key roles, including scheduling interviews and communicating with candidates.
  • Manage special projects as they arise, demonstrating the flexibility and resourcefulness to tackle new and undefined challenges effectively.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced G-Suite & MS Office: Expert-level proficiency in Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word) for creating polished presentations and reports.
  • Project Management Software: Hands-on experience with tools like Asana, Trello, Notion, or Jira to manage complex projects and track deliverables.
  • Complex Calendar Management: Demonstrated ability to strategically manage and prioritize a high volume of meeting requests and complex schedules for a C-level executive.
  • Data Synthesis & Presentation: Ability to gather and synthesize information from various sources and present it clearly and concisely in written briefs, reports, or dashboards.
  • Expense & Travel Platforms: Proficiency with tools like Expensify, TripActions, or similar platforms for managing travel and expenses efficiently.
  • CRM & Communication Tools: Familiarity with CRM software (e.g., Salesforce) and internal communication platforms like Slack.

Soft Skills

  • Unwavering Discretion & Confidentiality: Absolute integrity and a proven ability to handle highly sensitive company, personal, and investor information with the utmost confidentiality.
  • Exceptional Organization & Prioritization: World-class organizational and time-management skills, with a talent for managing multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment without letting details slip.
  • Proactive & Resourceful Problem-Solving: A forward-thinking and resourceful mindset, with the ability to anticipate needs, identify potential issues, and independently find solutions.
  • Superior Communication Skills: Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly and professionally to diverse audiences.
  • High Emotional Intelligence: Strong self-awareness and empathy, enabling the ability to navigate complex social dynamics and build strong, trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization.
  • Extreme Attention to Detail: A meticulous nature and a deep commitment to producing high-quality, error-free work.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in ambiguous and rapidly changing startup environments; maintains composure and a positive attitude under pressure.
  • Strategic Mindset: The ability to see the bigger picture and understand how day-to-day tasks connect to overarching company goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Business Administration
  • Communications
  • Operations Management
  • Liberal Arts

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 4-8 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years in a direct support, operations, or project management role within a dynamic environment.

Preferred:

  • Prior experience as an Executive Assistant, Business Assistant, or Chief of Staff to a Founder, CEO, or another C-level executive, ideally within a high-growth technology startup or venture capital firm. Proven track record of operating effectively in an unstructured and fast-paced setting.
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