Chief of Staff to the CEO

OVERVIEW

At Automotus, we’re a team of passionate, diverse individuals on a mission to solve the widespread traffic and environmental challenges impacted by the rise of delivery and ride-hailing activity. 

Cities and airports are facing massive challenges managing the increased demand for short term curb space - from loading to rideshare to parklets - the competition for the curb has never been higher. Our first-of-its-kind computer vision technology powers fully automated parking areas, creating new efficiencies in curbside management—from streamlining loading and pickup/drop-off to automating enforcement that keeps bike and bus lanes safer. We’re also driving climate impact by supporting the nation’s first zero-emissions delivery zones. From safer streets to cleaner air, our solutions are designed to make communities more livable for everyone.

Automotus is an industry leader in parking and curb management. We are helping cities and airports significantly reduce double parks, congestion, and emissions. Join us in building a cutting-edge product that directly impacts hundreds of thousands of users every month across major cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Fort Lee, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

Role Overview

We’re looking for a highly capable Chief of Staff to partner directly with the CEO and help run the business day to day. This is a generalist, high-trust role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, can move seamlessly between strategy and execution, and is comfortable owning whatever needs to get done. You’ll be involved in financial planning, board and investor preparation, special initiatives, hiring, policy efforts, and the inevitable “random but important” work that comes with an early-stage company.

This role is ideal for someone who wants broad exposure to company-building and is excited to operate as a force multiplier for the CEO.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CEO & Company Operations

• Act as a thought partner and execution arm to the CEO
• Drive follow-through on priorities, decisions, and special projects
• Prepare briefs, memos, and analyses to support decision-making

• Manage lobbyists & government affairs partners to advance state legislative efforts
• Track bill movement, chart headwinds and tailwinds, identify champions
• Engage legislators at the state level, their staff, and advocacy groups

Finance & Board Support

• Build and maintain financial forecasts and budgets
• Support fundraising, investor updates, reporting requirements, and board communications
• Coordinate with accountants on FP&A, monthly closes, and tax fililngs
• Prepare board decks, metrics, and materials; track post-board action items

Special Initiatives

• Lead or support cross-functional initiatives that don’t have a clear owner
• Research, scope, and execute new strategic opportunities
• Step in to unblock issues across product, operations, and go-to-market

Hiring & People Operations

• Support hiring efforts, including role scoping, candidate coordination, and interviews
• Assist with early people processes (onboarding, policies, performance basics)
• Help manage HR and benefits vendors as needed

Compliance, Policy, & External Efforts

• Support compliance, finance, and administrative needs as they arise
• Help manage contracts, filings, and other operational requirements

General “Get Stuff Done”

• Take ownership of urgent, ambiguous, or unglamorous tasks when needed
• Anticipate needs before they become problems
• Bring structure to chaos without slowing things down

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5–10+ years of experience in operations, consulting, finance, policy, startups, or similar roles
• Strong financial and analytical skills; comfort building models and forecasts
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• High level of judgment, discretion, and integrity
• Extremely organized, detail-oriented, and reliable
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and switching contexts quickly
• Bias toward action; willing to roll up sleeves and do the work

Nice to Have

• Prior Chief of Staff or startup operating experience
• Exposure to fundraising, board management, or government / policy work
• Experience with early HR, compliance, or finance systems

WHY THIS ROLE

• Direct exposure to company strategy and leadership
• Broad ownership and real influence at an early stage
• Opportunity to grow with the company and shape how it operates

EXPECTATIONS IN FIRST 90 DAYS

BY 30 DAYS: 

Build partnership with the CEO, deep understanding of the Automotus business model, customers, roadmaps, audit current processes around hiring and team structure, identify operational gaps with the aim to take ownership of 1–2 high-priority initiatives and improve organization or clarity in one core workflow.

BY 60 DAYS: 

Begin improving systems as CEO’s execution partner ownership of day-to-day operations by driving follow-through, improving systems, and proactively identifying risks and opportunities. They’ll also own key finance/board workflows, lead strategic cross-functional initiatives, support hiring and people ops, and introduce lightweight processes to improve cadence, visibility, and operational efficiency.

BY 90 DAYS: 

Leading state policy efforts, advancing state bills and engaging independently with state legislators. They'll also own board meeting prep, hiring, and other special initiatives.  improving systems as CEO’s execution partner ownership of day-to-day operations by driving follow-through, improving systems, and proactively identifying risks and opportunities. They’ll also own key finance/board workflows, lead strategic cross-functional initiatives, support hiring and people ops, and introduce lightweight processes to improve cadence, visibility, and operational efficiency.
 

WHAT WE OFFER

• We offer competitive salaries with equity, a 401(k), as well as health benefits*, including medical, dental, and vision.
• We value work-life harmony and have unlimited, self-directed vacation with a mandatory minimum.
• We also offer paid parental leave, and more to support our teammates and their families.
  
  *health benefits for US-based employees only