Chief of Staff to COO

Hiive; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fintech startup in Vancouver is seeking a Chief of Staff to the COO to lead the People & Culture function and manage cross-functional projects. The role is aimed at candidates with over 6 years of experience in operational leadership within high-growth environments. This position offers the opportunity to influence organizational strategy and develop leadership skills. Attractive perks include a competitive salary, full health benefits, and growth opportunities within the company.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Employee stock option plan

100% employer-paid health and dental premiums

$20 commuter benefit

Engaging social calendar and events

Opportunities for growth and leadership

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in operational leadership roles within high-growth environments.
• Strong working knowledge in People Operations, Operations, or Strategy.
• Ability to manage complex projects and prioritize effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the People & Culture team, ensuring business continuity.
• Member of the leadership team for key P&C initiatives.
• Act as the primary point of contact for complex employee relations.

Skills

Operational leadership

People Operations

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence

Job description

Recognized as one of Canada’s top startups two years in a row — climbing from #4 in 2024 to #2 in 2025 — Hiive is a fintech/marketplace startup connecting buyers and sellers of stock in venture-backed pre-IPO companies🚀. Thanks to our industry‑leading technology and best‑in‑class sales and trading team, we are home to the fastest‑growing marketplace for the stock of “unicorns” on the planet. As a profitable and rapidly growing business backed by US venture capital investors, we are seeking to scale our high‑performing team.

Interested in learning more about life at Hiive? Check out our careers page to see how you can grow with us!

We are seeking an exceptionally versatile, strategic, and results‑driven Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This is fundamentally an operational leadership position designed for an ambitious, but people‑focused, "jack‑of‑all‑trades" who excels at driving execution, solving complex problems, building relationships, and improving organizational performance. You are a natural operator and builder who thrives in ambiguity, sees problems as opportunities for innovative solutions, and possesses an unmatched work ethic. Your superpower is bringing order and focus to complex, moving targets.

The successful candidate's first task and primary assignment for the first 10-12 months will be to lead our People & Culture function, providing essential functional coverage during a planned leave of absence. Upon completion, the role will transition to a dedicated focus on the core cross‑functional and operational responsibilities.

In this role, your responsibilities would include:

• Serving as the Interim Director, People & Culture. Lead and manage the P&C team, ensuring business continuity across all core functions (e.g., recruitment, benefits, HRIS, payroll collaboration).
• Partnering with the COO and leadership team to ensure key P&C initiatives and annual cycles (performance management, compensation review, etc.) are executed seamlessly during the coverage period.
• Acting as the leadership team's primary point of contact for complex employee relations matters and ensure ongoing compliance with all federal and provincial employment laws.
• Leading high‑impact, cross‑functional projects from inception to completion, specifically focusing on operational improvements, efficiency gains, productivity, and scalability across the organization.
• Acting as a strategic extension of the COO, ensuring organizational focus and accountability on key operational priorities.
• Proactively identifying and diagnosing organizational and process gaps. Designing and leading initiatives to address these challenges, bringing structure and resolution to ambiguous operational issues.
• Providing direct, hands‑on support to the COO and the executive team by getting your hands dirty with administrative or menial tasks as needed to remove roadblocks and maintain organizational momentum.
• Being proactive and stay one step ahead of the COO, anticipating business needs and quickly aligning resources to address them.

Required Skills:

• 6+ years of exceptional experience in operational leadership roles within high‑growth environments (startups, tech, consulting, or finance).
• Proven operational and management experience with strong working knowledge or functional experience in People Operations, Operations, or Strategy.
• Demonstrates a strong People acumen, high emotional intelligence (EQ), exceptional interpersonal skills, and a genuine passion for engaging with and supporting people across all levels of the organization.
• Atypically versatile, with the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and a willingness to roll up sleeves to get the job done. Able to dive into many disparate roles and execute them well.
• Exceptional project management skills, with the proven ability to manage complex, cross‑functional initiatives and prioritize ruthlessly.
• A bias for action and a relentless focus on delivery and tangible results.
High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential People and business information.

Compensation, Benefits, & Perks:

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience and contribution.
• Opportunity to participate in ownership of a rapidly growing early‑stage startup through our employee stock option plan.
• Comprehensive 100% employer‑paid health and dental premiums, a health and personal spending account.
• A dedicated desk in our Vancouver, BC HQ, in the heart of downtown, with a fridge stocked with healthy snacks and drinks, an onsite gym, and a gorgeous rooftop amenity.
• Enjoy a $20‑per‑day commuter benefit for every day you work in our Vancouver HQ.
• An engaging social calendar, including bi‑weekly catered lunches, bi‑weekly “Friday bar,” team workouts, annual summer party, and holiday party, two “onsite” all‑team retreats each year, semi‑annual team‑building events, and Hiive Womens’ Network events.
• Significant opportunities for growth into team leadership and management roles.
• Entrepreneurial culture and a small and dynamic team.
• Sponsorship, immigration, and relocation for exceptional candidates.

Hiive is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals have an opportunity to succeed.