Chief of Staff to the COO

About HappyRobot

HappyRobot is the infrastructure for enterprises to build and orchestrate AI workforces. Our AI workers don't just communicate - they make decisions, take action, and run operations autonomously across voice, email, and enterprise systems. Born in Y Combinator (S23) and backed by a16z and Base10 with over $60M raised, we power critical operations for global enterprises worldwide.

 

Our platform is battle-tested in the most demanding environments - where AI has real consequences. We started in logistics, built our own voice stack, models, and orchestration layer from the ground up, and are now bringing that infrastructure to every enterprise that runs the real economy. Learn more about our vision in our manifesto https://www.happyrobot.ai/blog/manifesto.

Role Overview:

Our COO is looking for a Chief of Staff to act as a force multiplier who will allow him to carry out special projects and execute on our plan to become a generational company. This is a role for a high output generalist who moves fluidly between big picture strategy and in-the-weeds execution. You are the connective tissue that keeps the leadership team aligned, the company's priorities on track, and the operating cadence sharp as HappyRobot scales.

Key Responsibilities:

• The Bridge to Leadership: act as a direct partner to the founders and executive team, translating strategic priorities into clear plans and following through until they land.

• Operating Rhythm: design and run the company's leadership meetings, all-hands, and quarterly planning cycles, and continuously improve the systems that keep the company aligned.

• Cross Functional Execution: lead special projects that span Product, Go-To-Market, and Operations, owning outcomes from scoping through completion.

• Metrics and Accountability: define and track company-wide OKRs with the COO and executive team, and use data to surface where the company is off track.

• Organizational Gaps: identify where structure or process is missing across the company and build what is needed to close the gap.

Who You Are:

• A trusted operator who earns credibility with executives and individual contributors alike.

• Comfortable with ambiguity and energized by building structure where none exists.

• Someone who treats every project, no matter how small, as a reflection of their standards.

• Low ego, high ownership, and willing to do whatever the company needs, even when it is not your job.

Requirements:

• 4+ years of experience in a high ownership role such as management consulting, investment banking, startup operations, or a prior Chief of Staff position.

• Strong analytical and technical aptitude, with the ability to work with data to inform decisions.

• Experience working in a multi stakeholder environment, interfacing between executives, Engineering, and Commercial or Field teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for executive and board level audiences.

• Ability to balance big picture strategic work with in the weeds execution.

• Experience at an early or growth stage startup is strongly preferred.

Why join us?

• Opportunity to work at a high-growth AI startup, backed by top investors

• Rapidly growing and backed by top investors including a16z, Y Combinator, and Base10

• Ownership & Autonomy - Take full ownership of projects and ship fast

• Top-Tier Compensation - Competitive salary + equity in a high-growth startup

• Comprehensive Benefits - Healthcare, dental, vision coverage

• Work With the Best - Join a world-class team of engineers and builders

 

Our Operating Principles

Extreme Ownership

We take full responsibility for our work, outcomes, and team success. No excuses, no blame-shifting — if something needs fixing, we own it and make it better. This means stepping up, even when it's not "your job." If a ball is dropped, we pick it up. If a customer is unhappy, we fix it. If a process is broken, we redesign it. We don't wait for someone else to solve it — we lead with accountability and expect the same from those around us.

Craftsmanship

Putting care and intention into every task, striving for excellence, and taking deep ownership of the quality and outcome of your work. Craftsmanship means never settling for "just fine." We sweat the details because details compound. Whether it's a product feature, an internal doc, or a sales call — we treat it as a reflection of our standards. We aim to deliver jaw-dropping customer experiences by being curious, meticulous, and proud of what we build — even when nobody's watching.

We are "majos"

Be friendly & have fun with your coworkers. Always be genuine & honest, but kind. "Majo" is our way of saying: be a good human. Be approachable, helpful, and warm. We're building something ambitious, and it's easier (and more fun) when we enjoy the ride together. We give feedback with kindness, challenge each other with respect, and celebrate wins together without ego.

Urgency with Focus

Create the highest impact in the shortest amount of time. Move fast, but in the right direction. We operate with speed because time is our most limited resource. But speed without focus is chaos. We prioritize ruthlessly, act decisively, and stay aligned. We aim for high leverage: the biggest results from the simplest, smartest actions. We're running a high-speed marathon — not a sprint with no strategy.

Talent Density and Meritocracy

Hire only people who can raise the average; 'exceptional performance is the passing grade.' Ability trumps seniority. We believe the best teams are built on talent density — every hire should raise the bar. We reward contribution, not titles or tenure. We give ownership to those who earn it, and we all hold each other to a high standard. A-players want to work with other A-players — that's how we win.

First-Principles Thinking

Strip a problem to physics-level facts, ignore industry dogma, rebuild the solution from scratch. We don't copy-paste solutions. We go back to basics, ask why things are the way they are, and rebuild from the ground up if needed. This mindset pushes us to innovate, challenge stale assumptions, and move faster than incumbents. It's how we build what others think is impossible.

 

The personal data provided in your application and during the selection process will be processed by Happyrobot, Inc., acting as Data Controller.

By sending us your CV, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purpose of evaluating and selecting you as a candidate for the position. Your personal data will be treated confidentially and will only be used for the recruitment process of the selected job offer.

In relation to the period of conservation of your personal data, these will be eliminated after three months of inactivity in compliance with the GDPR and legislation on the protection of personal data.

If you wish to exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion, portability or opposition in relation to your personal data, you can do so through security@happyrobot.ai subject to the GDPR.

For more information, visit https://www.happyrobot.ai/privacy-policy

By submitting your request, you confirm that you have read and understood this clause and that you agree to the processing of your personal data as described.