AI Operations Manager
Location: Berkeley, CA (Hybrid)
Compensation: $120,000 – $160,000 + Equity
About Shiru
Shiru is building the future of ingredient discovery and operating at the cutting edge of applied AI from our core R&D differentiation to company operations. We’re a lean, fast-moving deep tech startup that achieves outsized impact with a small, high-performing team. As we scale, we’re looking for an exceptional operator to help us redefine what’s possible by combining operational excellence with the power of AI.
The Opportunity
This is not your typical operations role. As our AI Operations Manager, you’ll be the connective tissue of the company, owning a wide range of responsibilities across finance, sales, legal, marketing, investor relations, and project management. But more than that, you’ll be the architect and power user of our AI-driven operating model, helping us scale with extraordinary efficiency.
You’ll partner directly with the CEO and leadership team, designing and running a new model of company execution where human leaders collaborate with a dynamic workforce of AI agents, built by you. You’ll identify opportunities for automation, build and deploy AI-powered workflows, and ensure that every function you touch runs smoother, faster, and smarter.
This is a rare chance to join a company at an inflection point - where your work will have an outsized impact, your learning curve will be steep, and your growth opportunities will be limitless.
What You’ll Do
Work closely with the CEO as a strategic partner: Collaborating on the most high-priority initiatives, shaping company strategy, and ensuring seamless execution across the organization.
Be the operational backbone: Own and improve processes across finance, HR, legal, marketing, business development, communications, and project management. Ensure nothing falls through the cracks as we grow.
Architect and deploy AI systems: Design, build, and maintain a fleet of AI agents and workflows that amplify the team’s impact—drafting communications, summarizing contracts, preparing for meetings, tracking tasks, and more.
Drive cross-functional initiatives: Lead and coordinate projects that span multiple teams, ensuring alignment and momentum.
Champion AI adoption: Experiment with new tools, run regular “show and tell” sessions, and help the team continuously level up its AI fluency.
Support strategic programs: Partner with the CEO on high-priority initiatives, including potential M&A activities (discussed confidentially in later interview stages).
Maintain operational excellence: Keep our infrastructure humming, proactively surface risks, and ensure we’re always ready for what’s next.
Enable the team: Regularly check in with everyone, compile needs, and help prioritize and deploy solutions that make everyone more effective in doing their best work.
Deliver quick wins: Examples include building and automating updates to Shiru’s external-facing data room and automating board meeting pre-reads and investor updates based on progress already being logged in existing software used across the company.
About You
You’re a highly organized, proactive operator who thrives in ambiguity and loves managing many things at once.
You’re a strong communicator - clear, professional, and quick - both in writing and verbally.
You’re relentlessly curious, optimistic, and have a “no task too small, no challenge too big” mindset.
You’re comfortable working across multiple business functions and managing relationships with external stakeholders.
You’re a team player - low ego, high impact, and always attacking the problem alongside your teammates.
You don’t wait to be told what to do; you see what needs doing and make it happen.
You’re excited to learn, experiment, and build in a fast-paced, high-trust, hybrid environment.
Qualifications
You have 3–6 years’ experience in operations, consulting, strategy, chief of staff, or a similarly broad generalist role. Experience includes closing deals, shepherding transactions to close (M&A, fundraising, or sales), and driving projects to completion.
You have a track record of using AI tools (e.g., Claude, Apollo, HubSpot, ChatGPT, Jasper, Notion AI, etc.) to work smarter, automate workflows, reduce costs, and drive efficiency.
No specific educational requirements - self-taught, YouTube-learners, and non-traditional backgrounds are welcome.
Nice-to-Have
Experience at an early-stage startup
Passion for exploring new technologies, climate solutions, improving food systems, and working on cutting-edge innovations that drive meaningful change.
Familiarity with contract lifecycle and legal tools (SpellBound, Ironclad, HelloSign), finance tools (QuickBooks, CashFlow Frog, Ramp), marketing tools (HubSpot, Apollo, Clay), HR tools (Rippling), and workflow automation (Zapier, Make.com, Lindy)
Why Shiru?
Front-row seat to company building: You’ll get hands-on experience with every aspect of scaling a deep tech startup, working directly with the CEO and leadership team.
Accelerated growth: You’ll do in one year what might take years elsewhere - building systems, leading initiatives, growing your professional skillset, and shaping the future of work.
Equity and impact: You’ll be an equity holder, with the chance to realize real value as we grow.
Unique culture: We’re a high-trust, low-ego team that values curiosity, ownership, and collaboration. You’ll make lasting connections and open new doors for your career.
AI-native environment: You’ll help define how humans and AI collaborate to achieve extraordinary results.
Closing
At Shiru, we’re looking for people with passion, grit, and integrity. If your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description, we still encourage you to apply—especially if your career has taken extraordinary twists and turns. Join us in this singular opportunity to create the future of food and work!
Shiru is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Shiru is not able to sponsor employment visas for this role.
