Chief Operating Officer

Overview

Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Co-Founder Role

Part-time, unpaid during the early phase

This position may evolve into a full-time COO role with equity and board responsibilities, based on performance and company growth.

About Institute Itech

Institute Itech is an early-stage multinational company committed to building a new model of society grounded in education, advanced technology, and social development.

We are launching several innovation projects, including :

• Memoria – AI-powered MedTech platform for cognitive health and neuro-assistive support
• Oxyleaf – Synthetic plant systems for urban energy and environmental regeneration
• Terra – Underground sensor networks for environmental and agricultural data infrastructure

The company is legally incorporated (USA, Italy) and we are now building a strategic leadership team to move from vision to execution.

About the Role

We are seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join as co-founder, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Institute Itech and ensuring that projects are executed effectively and in alignment with strategic goals.

The COO will act as the bridge between strategy and execution, managing resources, coordinating teams, and building scalable structures across multiple projects and regions.

Responsibilities

• Translate company strategy into operational structures and execution plans
• Manage and coordinate daily operations across projects and international hubs
• Oversee HR, project management, and operational workflows
• Implement systems for performance monitoring and resource allocation
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance of operations in EU, US, and MENA regions
• Work closely with the CEO and CFO on financial planning, budgeting, and reporting
• Support the CEO in investor relations and partnership agreements
• Build and manage a strong operational team to support growth and scale

Requirements

• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in operations, management, or strategic leadership
• Proven background in startups, innovation ecosystems, or complex organizations
• Strong understanding of business operations, compliance, and scaling
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Fluency in English and Italian (Arabic or French is a plus)
• Ability to work across cultures and manage multi-country operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as COO, Operations Director, or equivalent in international environments
• Knowledge of venture capital, fundraising processes, and partnerships
• Familiarity with MedTech, AI, sustainability, or education sectors
• Strong network in EU, MENA, or US innovation ecosystems

Benefits

• Reimbursement of travel and operational expenses
• Access to official institute accounts, collaboration tools, and platforms
• Strategic leadership role in building a multinational from the ground up
• Direct path to long-term equity participation and board responsibilities
• Opportunity to shape the operational DNA of Institute Itech

How to Apply

Please send:

• Your CV
• A short letter (max 1 page), in English or Italian, describing:
• Why you want to join Institute Itech as COO
• How you would structure operations in the early phase
• What leadership strengths and vision you bring to a co-founder role

Time Commitment

This is a non-paid position during the startup phase, with a minimum commitment of 4–6 hours per week.

We are looking for an operational leader with vision, structure, and execution power to turn Institute Itech’s mission into reality.