Zeus AI Director of Operations Cambridge, MA · Remote · Full time Company website

Apply for Director of Operations

We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Director of Operations to be the operational backbone of our company. As a key member of our small team, you will be the right-hand person to the founders, taking ownership of all non-technical operations. You will build and manage the systems that ensure our company runs smoothly, our government contracts are flawlessly executed, and our brilliant science team can focus on what they do best: research and development.

This is a foundational role with a significant impact on our company's trajectory. If you thrive on creating order from chaos and want to be at the center of a mission-driven deep-tech startup, this role is for you

Duties and responsibilities.

• Manage government grants and contracts, acting as the primary point of contact for all administrative aspects of funded programs (SBIR/STTR). This may include grant reporting compliant with agency requirements as well as acting as a liaise with contracting officers.
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including bookkeeping, expense management, and payroll coordination.
• Establish and maintain company processes and policies to ensure efficiency and scalability.
• Work closely with the science team to translate technical goals into clear project plans and timelines.
• Track project milestones and key deliverables for our contracts, identifying and flagging any potential risks to the schedule.
• Facilitate communication between the technical team and business objectives, ensuring everyone is aligned on priorities.
• Manage the full lifecycle of HR for our growing team, including recruiting coordination, onboarding of new scientists, and benefits administration.
• Act as a central cultural pillar, helping to foster a collaborative, productive, and positive work environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in an operational role, such as Business Manager, Operations Manager, Program Manager, or a similar function. 
• Direct experience managing government grants or contracts (e.g., SBIR, STTR, NSF, NOAA, DARPA, DOD).
• Bachelor or MBA degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven experience creating and managing budgets with meticulous attention to detail.
• An obsession with organization and a demonstrated ability to create efficient systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; you can be persuasive, clear, and concise.
• A proactive, self-starting mindset with the ability to work independently and solve problems in a fast-paced, resource-constrained startup environment.
• Experience working in a high-tech, scientific, or R&D-focused company.
• Familiarity with government accounting principles

What we offer

• Your work will directly enable breakthroughs in AI and weather science, providing the operational stability needed for our team to succeed.
• Join a small, brilliant team at a critical stage and help shape the future of our company and its culture.
• Competitive compensation, including salary, equity, and a comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, and 401k retirement options).
• Flexible work arrangements and a co-working space benefit.
• The chance to make a tangible difference in the world by contributing to climate solutions and significantly improving weather forecasting.