Operation Manager

Operations Manager (Employee #1) Location: Polo Alto CA The Opportunity We are seeking a Founding Operations Manager (Employee #1) to build and scale our U.S. operations from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to work directly with the Global CEO and play a defining role in launching and shaping a U.S. business backed by a profitable, publicly listed parent company in Japan. You will have true ownership-designing systems, building infrastructure, and creating operational foundations that will support long-term growth in the U.S. market. What We're Building We are creating a next-generation platform at the intersection of creators, experts, and audiences-where deep, Q&A-driven conversations generate real economic value. After achieving strong product-market fit and scale overseas, we are rebuilding the experience from the ground up to lead the U.S. creator economy. Why This Role Matters You'll get the best of both worlds: Startup Speed: Full autonomy to build from 01 alongside the Global CEO Corporate Stability: Backed by a profitable, publicly listed parent company with a multi-year runway and no fundraising distractions This role is ideal for someone who thrives on ownership, execution, and building durable systems from scratch. The Role As the Architect of Operations, you will be responsible for executing the launch and day-to-day operations of the U.S. entity. You will independently manage core operational functions-payroll, HR, accounting, benefits, and compliance-using modern U.S. SaaS tools, while coordinating closely with external specialists such as CPAs, legal counsel, and benefits providers. Key Responsibilities Physical Infrastructure Establish and manage the Palo Alto office Oversee facility operations and build the IT environment Handle equipment procurement and vendor selection Organizational Infrastructure Support local hiring and onboarding Manage payroll, benefits, and labor relations Draft and maintain internal policies and ensure regulatory compliance Corporate & HQ Coordination Serve as the primary operational liaison with Japan HQ Provide clear, accurate, and timely visibility into U.S. operations Deliver structured reporting via Slack, email, and documentation External Partner Management Select, onboard, and manage external vendors Coordinate with legal counsel, accounting firms, and other specialists As part of a Japanese listed group, you will be expected to maintain high standards of precision, logic, and transparency. We value clear communication and proactive problem-solving-no information silos, no hidden issues. Requirements Hands-on Experience in Office & Entity Setup Proven experience building U.S. operations from scratch at an early-stage startup (Seed to Series A) Direct involvement in office setup, IT infrastructure, equipment procurement, and vendor selection Language Skills English (Native level): Able to independently handle legal negotiations, government filings, and external business discussions Japanese (Business level): Comfortable conducting regular meetings and progress reporting with Japan HQ Execution Mindset Pride in being a hands-on "doer" who builds systems and playbooks-not just strategy decks Strong attention to detail with a bias toward flawless execution High Autonomy Proactively identify operational needs, propose solutions, and execute without waiting for instructions Capable of providing "peace of mind" to the CEO so leadership can focus on growth Location Must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area Ideal Candidate Profile Strong Fit A generalist who has served as an early "everything officer" (Operations / Admin / Biz Ops) at a U.S. VC-backed startup Experience supporting the U.S. expansion of a Japanese company and building local operations from zero Not a Fit Candidates focused primarily on high-level strategy or consulting Those whose experience is limited to managing within mature, highly structured corporate environments Compensation & Equity Base Salary: $80,000 - $120,000 USD (depending on experience) Equity: Founding-level equity opportunity A U.S. stock option plan is currently being finalized As Employee #1, you will be eligible for a primary grant once established Application Form

Created: 2026-03-10