Head of Operations

Build the systems that enable BlueDot to scale from 8 to 25+ staff so we can build the workforce that protects humanity. We are a nonprofit startup building the workforce that protects humanity. Since 2022, we have trained over 6,000 people in AI safety and biosecurity. Our alumni work at Anthropic, DeepMind, the UK AI Safety Institute, and dozens of other organisations shaping how transformative technologies affect the world. We are a small team based in London, expanding to San Francisco in Q1 2026. We raised $25M in 2025.

Why this role matters

We are about to grow fast. We’ve doubled from 4 to 8 over the past 4 months. Over the next 12 months, we will scale from 8 to 25+ people, set up a new office in San Francisco, and launch an entrepreneurs-in-residence program hosting 10-20 founders at any given time starting mid-2026. This role exists to build the operational infrastructure for BlueDot’s next phase of growth. You will own the systems, processes and vendor relationships that make the organisation work, and you will create an environment where our team and visiting entrepreneurs can do exceptional work.

What you will do

• Fix problems before anyone notices them: Spot friction that is slowing people down and eliminate it. Know when a problem needs a scrappy quick fix versus a durable new system, and solve it accordingly.
• Scale the team from 8 to 25+: Build recruiting and onboarding systems that let us 3x the team without losing quality or speed. Own people operations: contracts, payroll coordination, benefits, and the admin infrastructure that keeps a growing team running. You will manage external contractors/agencies for most of this. Manage relationships with external partners, e.g. accountants and lawyers.
• Build and run the SF office: Set up our San Francisco headquarters from scratch: find and negotiate the lease, design the layout, source furniture and equipment, and create an environment where our team and visiting entrepreneurs can do exceptional work. Own ongoing office operations and improvements, so that we build a space that people actively want to work from.
• Support our entrepreneurs-in-residence program: Starting in mid-2026, we will host 10-20 entrepreneurs at any given time, building new AI safety and biosecurity organisations. You will own the operational side: coordinating with immigration lawyers on visas, sourcing accommodation, and making sure their working environment enables them to succeed.

You will report to BlueDot’s CEO.

About you

We are looking for someone sharp and high-agency who is energised to help scale a mission-driven startup. You might be a great fit if you:

• Have scaled operations at a fast-growth startup: You have seen what breaks when a company triples in size, and you have built the systems to prevent it. You know the difference between "process that accelerates us” and "bureaucracy that slows things down."
• Bias toward action: You do not wait for someone to tell you what is broken. Your instinct is to fix things immediately, not write a document and schedule a meeting.
• Build only what is needed: You are allergic to unnecessary infrastructure. When you build systems, they are lean and they solve real problems. You delete things that aren’t working.
• Can hold complexity: You can track many moving pieces without dropping any, e.g. visas, leases, contractors, staff onboarding, and compliance, and you have systems for keeping everything in check.
• Manage external partners effectively: You won’t do bookkeeping or legal work yourself, but you will make sure accountants and lawyers deliver what we need, when we need it.
• Care about the mission: You understand why AI safety and pandemic preparedness matter, and you are keen to learn more. You know that BlueDot’s operational work is essential for helping us protect humanity.

We encourage speculative applications — most strong candidates won’t meet all these criteria!

What we offer

• Massive impact: You will build the operational infrastructure for an organisation that is training and placing people who steer the development of AI.
• San Francisco-based role: This is an in-person role in our new SF office starting in Q1 2026. US visa sponsorship available.
• Freedom and autonomy: Our expense policy is "act in BlueDot's best interest", unlimited PTO, minimal bureaucracy.
• Room to grow: As BlueDot scales, so does this role. You will likely build and lead a small ops team within 12 months.
• $150–225K salary depending on experience, 10% employer 401(k) contribution (no match required), and comprehensive health insurance.

Apply today

Applying takes 20-30 minutes, and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We are evaluating candidates on a rolling basis and want to make an offer quickly.

If you have any questions about the role, email dewi@bluedot.org