Founders Associate

C&C Search is currently recruiting a Founder's Associate for a fast-growing, founder-led international business. This is a rare opportunity to become the first operational hire, working directly with two founders as they scale an exciting global platform and community. Offering hybrid working, international travel, outstanding career progression and significant exposure to senior leaders, this role is perfect for someone who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and wants to build a long-term career alongside a growing business.

Position: Founder's Associate supporting two Founders across operations, projects, events and business growth initiatives

Salary: £45,000 - £65,000 (depending on experience)

Hybrid set up: Hybrid working with a combination of remote working and office-based collaboration in London.

Benefits:

• Hybrid working
• International travel opportunities
• Direct exposure to founders and senior stakeholders
• Exceptional progression opportunities
• High levels of autonomy and responsibility
• Opportunity to shape the future of a growing business
• Dynamic and entrepreneurial working environment

What they do: A global events, community and networking business that brings together influential leaders and decision-makers through high-profile conferences, assemblies, private dinners and exclusive events. The organisation focuses on building meaningful connections, facilitating impactful conversations and creating opportunities for collaboration across multiple sectors.

Size of company: Established business with two founders and a growing team, entering an exciting period of expansion.

Company culture and what makes them great to work for: This is a genuinely unique opportunity to join a business at a pivotal stage of growth. As the first operational hire, you will work closely alongside the founders, becoming a trusted partner and helping to build the systems, processes and structure required to support future expansion. The culture is collaborative, ambitious and highly entrepreneurial. The founders are looking for someone who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems and turning ideas into action. There is significant scope to grow with the organisation, with a clear pathway into a future Business Manager, Chief of Staff or COO-style role as the business evolves. This role would suit an intelligent, curious and highly organised individual who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-moving environment and wants to make a tangible impact.

Key responsibilities for this Founder's Associate position:

• Supporting the founders with day-to-day operations, priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Managing and coordinating large-scale international events, conferences and networking programmes.
• Conducting research and delivering projects from concept through to completion.
• Building and maintaining CRM systems, databases and operational processes.
• Drafting communications, invitations and stakeholder correspondence.
• Managing relationships with senior stakeholders, partners, suppliers and community members.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and implement better systems and workflows.
• Supporting business growth initiatives and special projects.
• Travelling internationally when required to support key events and business activities.

What background and experience are the company looking for?

• Previous experience in a Founder's Associate, Operations, Project Coordination, Business Support, Senior Executive Assistant or similar position.
• A genuine interest in sustainability, climate, innovation and the major themes shaping the future.
• Intellectually curious, with a desire to continually learn about emerging industries, global challenges and the people driving change.
• Excited by the prospect of working alongside influential global leaders, investors, innovators and policymakers, helping to build a purpose-driven business from the ground up.
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills.
• Highly proactive, self-sufficient and resourceful approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and building relationships at all levels.
• Strong systems and process mindset with excellent attention to detail.
• Comfortable working with technology, CRM platforms and AI tools.
• Able to operate independently without requiring significant supervision.
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgement and the confidence to know when to lead and when to step back.
• Comfortable operating within an entrepreneurial environment where priorities can evolve and no two days are the same.
• Ambitious, adaptable and motivated by the opportunity to grow into a future Chief of Staff, Business Manager or COO-style role.

For this role C&C Search is acting as an employment agency. At C&C Search, diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of who we are and how we operate. Our commitment to these values is unwavering across all our work in recruitment and our training and development programmes. C&C Search fosters a culture of inclusion and belonging and has a deep commitment to being a part of creating a fairer society through partnering with clients who are also committed to a seat at the table for everybody. We work with companies that are committed to reflecting our communities, where people can bring their authentic selves to work. We know that having varied perspectives helps generate better ideas, better businesses and better societies. There is much to be done, but together we can achieve equality for all.