At a Glance
- Tasks: Build systems that power automation in the automotive industry and drive strategic initiatives.
- Company: Join a seed-stage startup transforming the $2 trillion automotive aftersales sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and hands-on experience with founders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how automotive businesses operate and grow.
- Qualifications: Analytical mindset, data fluency, and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to learn and grow in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 51000 £ per year.
Build the Systems That Power Automation Across a Global Industry
About Us
At Carpata, our vision is to build the vehicle and parts data infrastructure that powers automation across the $2+ trillion automotive aftersales industry. We’re already working with garages, dealerships and parts suppliers to help them move from fragmented, manual processes to intelligent, automated workflows.
We’re looking for a strategic, analytically minded operator — whether your background is in consulting, finance, or startups — who’s excited to move from frameworks to execution. You’ll bring structure, analytical rigour, and commercial intuition to an environment where decisions are made fast and data drives everything.
This is a unique opportunity to join a seed-stage company founded by entrepreneurs who’ve built and exited automotive tech businesses. Backed by Concept Ventures (Eleven Labs, Jigcar, Superlinked), Nosara Capital (LeafLink, Max Retail), and angels from Carwow, JustPark, Autotrader, and Bumper, we’re building the platform that will redefine how this industry runs.
Industry-wide Problems We’re Solving
- Eliminating Manual Parts Procurement: We’re removing time-consuming part lookups and quote creation, enabling businesses to order the right parts, first time. Service teams can instantly convert customer queries into OEM part numbers — eliminating costly returns and delays.
- Workflow Automation: We’re standardising and automating fragmented service workflows across the industry. What used to take hours of manual cross-referencing — from identifying a part to confirming fitment and availability — now happens automatically through integrated systems, improving accuracy, speed, and margin for every stakeholder.
- Democratising Parts Knowledge: Complex vehicle specifications and inconsistent supplier data become invisible to end users through a single, authoritative platform that anyone can use reliably. The industry knowledge gap is bridged by making parts identification simple enough for less experienced staff to achieve professional-level accuracy.
Why This Role Exists
We’re at the stage where execution, data accuracy, operational excellence, and delighting early customers define our next phase of growth. As Founder’s Associate, you’ll work directly with the founders as a force multiplier — connecting dots across product, customers, and strategy. You’ll translate insights into action, design scalable systems, and help turn early traction into repeatable growth.
This isn’t a support role — it’s a strategic one. You’ll operate as a thought partner to the founders, helping steer company priorities, shape go-to-market execution, and bring clarity to complex decisions. You’ll gain exposure across every part of the business — product, operations, partnerships, and fundraising — and see your work shape the company in real time.
This is a founder-track role, ideal for someone who wants to one day build or run their own company. You’ll learn firsthand how to scale a venture-backed startup — through data, strategic thinking, and relentless execution.
What You’ll Do
- Data & Insights: Build and maintain the visibility connecting data accuracy, supplier inputs, and customer outcomes. Partner with engineering to improve catalogue data quality, pipelines, and automation. Turn messy, complex data into clear, actionable insights for product and operations.
- Customer Success: Work directly with early customers, helping ensure we achieve customer excellence. Diagnose and resolve issues with integrations, datasets, and workflows. Translate customer challenges into structured insight for product and engineering team. Design onboarding and reporting processes that scale with growth.
- Execution & Systems Building: Lead high-impact initiatives with founders — from scaling pilots, partnerships to optimising workflows. Create reporting loops that make company decisions more data-driven. Drive cross-functional projects that link data, product, and customer outcomes.
What We’re Looking For
Must-Haves:
- Strategic and Analytical Thinker: You’re comfortable and have proven ability combining structured reasoning with data-driven insight.
- Data Fluent: You know your way around SQL and can extract insight from messy datasets, but your real strength is turning those insights into action and decisions.
- Cross-functional Collaborator: You can move fluidly between engineering, product, and customers, bringing clarity and alignment to complex projects.
- Ownership Mindset: You’re hands-on, resourceful, and thrive in environments where you can design and improve systems from scratch.
- Excellent Communicator: You simplify complexity and make data tell a story that drives decisions.
- Energised by Early-stage Building: You thrive in a small, high-velocity environment where your impact is visible every week.
Nice-to-Haves:
- Experience in consulting, finance, or high-growth startups, especially in roles combining analytical rigour with execution.
- Background in B2B platforms, marketplaces, or automotive tech.
- Familiarity with modern data and analytics tools.
- Curiosity about vehicles, supply chains, or automation systems.
This Role Is NOT For You If
- You need problems fully defined before starting work.
- You prefer staying in one functional lane.
- You’re satisfied with "directionally correct" when precision matters.
- You want a fully remote setup — we value in-person collaboration in London.
Why This Role Will Define Your Career
- Build the Systems That Power Automation Across a Global Industry: Your work will directly impact how thousands of automotive businesses operate, making their workflows faster, smarter, and more profitable.
- Partner Directly with Founders: Work alongside entrepreneurs who’ve built and exited automotive tech startups. You’ll be in the room for the biggest decisions and often the one turning them into reality.
- See Immediate Impact: Every decision shapes the company. You’ll see your work translate into impact immediately — from data insights to customer success to strategic initiatives.
- Accelerate Your Career: Gain deep exposure across product, operations, and strategy in a true founder-track role. This is ideal preparation for building or running your own company one day.
- Operate with Ownership: You’ll have significant autonomy and responsibility. This isn’t a support role — it’s a strategic one where you’ll help steer company priorities and shape execution.
£40-60k + up to 0.5% equity (early employee)
Visa: We cannot sponsor visas at this time.
Start: Immediate availability preferred.
Hiring Process:
- Intro chat with our founders about the company and your experience.
- Case study or portfolio walkthrough.
- In-person working session to discuss your approach and fit.
- Final conversation with the team.
Ready to Build the Future of Automotive Operations? We know not everyone ticks every box — and that’s okay. If you’re energised by building systems that power automation, working directly with founders, and seeing your impact shape a company in real time, we’d love to hear from you.
Founder\'s Associate in City of London employer: Carpata
Contact Detail:
Carpata Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founder\'s Associate in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the automotive tech space, especially those connected to Carpata. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the industry! When you get the chance to meet the founders or team, share your thoughts on automation and how it can transform the automotive sector. Your enthusiasm will stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the case study! If you're invited to showcase your skills, make sure you understand the challenges Carpata is tackling. Bring data-driven insights and practical solutions to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Carpata journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Founder\'s Associate in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Analytical Side: Make sure to highlight your analytical skills in your application. We want to see how you can turn complex data into actionable insights, so share examples of when you've done this before!
Be a Storyteller: When writing your application, think about how you can simplify complex ideas. We love candidates who can make data tell a story that drives decisions, so don’t shy away from showcasing your communication skills.
Demonstrate Ownership: We’re looking for someone with an ownership mindset. In your application, share instances where you’ve taken the initiative to design or improve systems. Show us how you thrive in fast-paced environments!
Connect the Dots: As a Founder’s Associate, you'll be connecting various aspects of the business. Use your application to demonstrate how you can collaborate across different functions and bring clarity to complex projects. Apply through our website to get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carpata
✨Know Your Data
As a Founder’s Associate, you'll need to demonstrate your data fluency. Brush up on SQL and be ready to discuss how you've turned messy datasets into actionable insights in the past. Prepare examples that showcase your analytical thinking and how it led to strategic decisions.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role is all about execution and strategy. Be prepared to talk about times when you've combined structured reasoning with data-driven insights to solve complex problems. Think of specific instances where your strategic thinking made a significant impact.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
You'll be working across various teams, so highlight your experience in collaborating with different functions like engineering, product, and customer success. Share stories that illustrate how you brought clarity and alignment to complex projects, making sure to mention any challenges you overcame.
✨Demonstrate Your Ownership Mindset
Carpata is looking for someone who thrives in a hands-on environment. Prepare to discuss situations where you've taken initiative to design or improve systems from scratch. Show them you're resourceful and ready to take ownership of high-impact initiatives.