Founder’s Associate Intern (All Genders)

ahead®; Hamburg; Hybrid; EUR 16,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Central Hamburg/Berlin office

MacBook provided

€50 monthly allowance

28 vacation days

Job summary

ahead GmbH is seeking a Founders Associate Intern in Hamburg to take ownership of strategic projects from analysis to implementation. You’ll support the Strategy Office, help establish processes, and work closely with the Chief of Staff on cross-functional initiatives.

You should be pursuing or have completed a degree in business/economics, be based in Hamburg or willing to work from our Hamburg office, and bring data-driven analysis and strong Excel/Sheets skills.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or completed degree in business/economics or related field.
• Available for a full-time internship of 3–6 months.
• Experience working on at least one workstream.
• Strong analytical and structured mindset with numbers.

Responsibilities

• Define project roadmaps and action plans with the Chief of Staff.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of strategic projects.
• Implement project plans with relevant departments.
• Coordinate alignment meetings and workshops; provide data/materials.
• Track progress, identify blockers, review success.
• Support Strategy Office day-to-day operations and establish processes.

Skills

Project management

Data analysis

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder alignment

Excel/Sheets

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in business, economics or related field

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

PowerPoint

Job description

YOU & AHEAD

Are you curious about how strategic decisions are made in a growing company and ready to take ownership of making them happen?

At ahead, we are cleaning up the world’s candy drawers: less sugar, full taste, no guilt. As a Founders Associate Intern, you will work closely with our Chief of Staff and support strategic projects that help ahead grow and operate better.

You will take ownership of strategic projects, from analysis and planning through stakeholder alignment, implementation and review. Alongside your project work, you will support the day-to-day operations of the Strategy Office and help establish the processes and structures it needs to support better strategic decision-making across ahead.

YOUR TASKS

• Define project roadmaps and action plans together with the Chief of Staff.
• Conduct detailed quantitative and qualitative analyses of strategic projects and their requirements.
• Implement project plans together with the relevant department.
• Enable departments to execute the plan by coordinating alignment meetings and workshops and providing the necessary data and materials.
• Track project progress, identify blockers and review project success.
• Support the Chief of Staff with day-to-day Strategy Office operations.
• Help establish processes and routines for the Strategy Office.

YOUR PROFILE

• You are currently pursuing or have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, ideally in business, economics or a related field, and are available for a full-time internship of three to six months.
• You are based in Hamburg or willing to work from our Hamburg office.
• You have practical project experience and have taken responsibility for at least one workstream. Previous experience in strategy consulting, a Founders Associate role, venture capital, investment banking, startup strategy or a similar field is a plus.
• You are analytical and structured, comfortable working with numbers and Excel or Google Sheets, and able to turn complex questions into clear recommendations and action plans.
• You communicate clearly in German and English and can work effectively with different stakeholders.
• You work independently, take ownership, solve problems pragmatically and follow through, even under pressure.
• You are highly motivated, eager to learn and comfortable with ambiguity, changing priorities and a fast-moving environment.

AND WHY AHEAD?

Working at ahead is more than just a job - it’s your opportunity to develop as a professional and as a person, while shaping the future of snacking. Our mission is to make low sugar the new standard, and we pour that ambition into every product we create. You’ll become part of a team where international talent, startup drive, real impact, and true ownership come together.

• Hypergrowth Environment: If you're looking for greenfield, creative freedom, and real impact, you're in the right place. We're a team that is scaling fast - with purpose
• Great Workspace: A central office in the heart of Berlin or Hamburg, top equipment (MacBook), snacks, drinks, plenty of ahead products - and yes, a ping-pong table. We’re also pet-friendly, so you can always bring your furry friend along
• Amazing Team: Young, international, ambitious - inspiring colleagues who collaborate, support each other, and genuinely enjoy working together
• Career Growth: Develop through cross-functional projects, structured feedback cycles, and a steep learning curve in a dynamic, high growth environment. We offer a fair, attractive salary with role-dependent bonus opportunities
• Great Benefits: Fuel yourself with ahead snacks, drinks, and merch - we’ve got you covered. On top: a €50 monthly allowance to spend as you like - Urban Sports Club, mobility options, or vouchers from your favorite brands (IKEA, Rewe, Rossmann and more)
• Vacation Days: Enjoy 28 vacation days plus two extra days off on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
• Events & Offsites: Regular after-work hangouts and legendary annual team offsites you won’t forget

This role is based in Hamburg, with the flexibility of up to 2 home office days per week and the option to work from abroad for agreed upon periods.

Disclaimer

ahead GmbH is an equal opportunity workplace and is devoted to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

About Us

At ahead, we’re building the snack brand for a new generation – one that loves chocolate, cookies & gummies, but doesn’t love what sugar does to their bodies. We use cutting-edge food tech to reinvent childhood favorites: no added sugar, no empty carbs – just full taste, better ingredients, and zero compromise.

The result? Everyday indulgence that actually fits your lifestyle.

Let’s make low-sugar the new normal. And fun again.