Hybrid | San Francisco, CA Direct Hire / Permanent Placement
HireNow Staffing is actively recruiting a seasoned, highly skilled Special Projects Manager on behalf of a valued client partner operating as a holding company that builds and scales AI-native businesses. HireNow Staffing is acting as a direct placement partner for this Special Projects Manager opportunity.
We are seeking a high-agency operator who can work directly with founders and executives on strategic initiatives, venture launches, and cross-functional execution. This individual must be comfortable solving ambiguous problems, moving quickly across multiple industries, and owning complex projects from concept through completion.
HireNow Disqualifier: Candidates with jumpy or unstable resumes will not be accepted or interviewed. We are prioritizing professionals with consistent tenure, progressive growth, and measurable impact.
Key Responsibilities
Lead strategic special projects across the parent company and portfolio businesses
Support launch and scale initiatives tied to new AI-native ventures, products, and institutions
Partner directly with founders and executive leadership on growth priorities, partnerships, and expansion opportunities
Build project plans, operating cadences, timelines, and accountability structures to ensure execution excellence
Conduct market research, competitive analysis, financial modeling, and strategic assessments across multiple sectors
Drive operational problem-solving in fast-moving environments with limited structure
Prepare executive materials, decision memos, presentations, and board-level updates
Identify bottlenecks, recommend improvements, and implement scalable systems
Leverage modern AI tools to increase productivity, insight generation, and execution speed
Required Qualifications (Highly Important)
2–4 years of experience in top-tier consulting, investment banking, private equity, venture studios, or high-growth startup environments
Strong preference for candidates from MBB or top strategy consulting firms
Proven ability to operate across multiple industries, not just a single vertical
Exceptional project management skills with demonstrated ownership of complex initiatives
Strong written and verbal communication with executive-level professionalism
Analytical problem-solving skills with comfort in ambiguous, changing environments
Daily working familiarity with modern AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, automation tools, research copilots, etc.)
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously with minimal oversight
Stable employment history with clear progression; candidates with jumpy resumes will not be considered
Preferred Qualifications (Strongly Valued)
Startup experience at any stage from Seed through Series C+
Experience working with venture capital, private equity, venture studios, or founder-led companies
Board experience with institutions, nonprofits, academic organizations, or advisory bodies
STEM degree or strong technical / quantitative background
Experience launching new business units, partnerships, or zero-to-one initiatives
Financial modeling and business case development skills
Strong operator mindset with willingness to execute tactically when needed
Exposure to education, research institutions, or mission-driven organizations
HireNow Disqualifiers
Limited experience outside a single narrow industry vertical
No evidence of ownership in high-ambiguity environments
Minimal AI tool usage in day-to-day workflow
Inability to manage multiple concurrent priorities
Frequent job changes without clear rationale or progression
HireNow Checklist
HireNow Staffing is recruiting candidates who meet the following profile:
2–4 years in consulting, banking, PE, venture studios, or startup environments Preference for MBB / top-tier strategy consulting backgrounds Experience across multiple industries or business models Strong operator who can execute with minimal oversight Excellent communication and executive presence Daily user of modern AI tools for workflow acceleration Able to manage special projects with speed and structure Comfortable working hybrid in San Francisco, CA Stable resume with progressive growth
Standout Candidates Include:
Former consultants who transitioned into startup operator roles Candidates with board experience at institutions or nonprofits Startup generalists who helped scale companies from early stage onward Investors or operators from venture-backed ecosystems
HireNow Package
Base Salary: $120,000 – $180,000
Additional Compensation: Flexible equity + variable compensation for exceptional candidates
Benefits: Unlimited PTO + standard benefits package
Work Location: Hybrid – San Francisco, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time / Direct Hire
Visa Sponsorship: Available
HireNow Staffing Disclaimer
All candidate information is handled confidentially and evaluated against defined requirements. This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities and qualifications. Duties may evolve based on client needs and business growth. Only candidates meeting the core qualifications will be considered for interview.