Operations Manager

Sapient Intelligence; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sapient Intelligence, a next‑generation AI and autonomous research company, seeks an Operations Manager to partner with the Cofounder, shape internal operations, and drive priorities to completion. You will refine processes, implement collaborative platforms, and manage cross‑functional projects with a focus on efficiency and accountability.

You will coordinate people operations, procurement, and office resources while maintaining data integrity and serving as a hands-on executor in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Fluent English and Mandarin Chinese communication skills with international teams and providers.
• Strong systems thinking and execution capability; able to structure complex problems and drive to completion.
• Familiarity with collaboration platforms and office automation; translate needs into usable processes and tools.
• Interest and experience with AI applications and practical efficiency improvements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and align priorities with a Cofounder.
• Develop and improve internal cross-functional processes and procurement workflows.
• Build and manage internal workplace systems and data workflows; ensure reliable data across platforms.
• Translate priorities into concrete plans with owners, milestones, and delivery standards.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, and employee records; improve employee experience and efficiency.
• Oversee office resources, procurement, vendors, and budget alignment with finance.

Skills

English (Fluent)

Chinese (Mandarin)

Operations management

Process improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Tools

Lark/Feishu

Office automation

Job description

Sapient Intelligence develops next-generation AI models and autonomous research systems. We are looking for an Operations Manager with strong organizational skills, systems thinking, and execution capabilities to work directly with a Cofounder, build effective internal operations, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and drive company priorities through to completion.

In a team of approximately 50 people, you will be closely involved in day-to-day operations, management processes, and collaboration systems, coordinating people operations, office resources, procurement, and projects. You should be able to identify issues affecting team efficiency, set clear priorities, and turn loosely defined needs into clear responsibilities, practical processes, and tangible results. You should also be willing to handle the details and personally drive execution.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day company operations. Work with a Cofounder to identify operational priorities and resource needs, coordinate execution, and promptly resolve issues affecting the team’s ability to work effectively.
• Develop and improve internal processes. Establish clear, proportionate, and practical processes for cross-functional collaboration, procurement, contract routing, approvals, recordkeeping, and knowledge management. Continuously refine them based on how they work in practice.
• Build and manage internal workplace systems. Administer and improve collaboration platforms such as Lark/Feishu and office automation systems. Translate operational needs into workflows, forms, access permissions, and automation rules. Ensure information flows effectively between systems, maintain reliable data, and establish clear usage guidelines.
• Drive company priorities and cross-functional projects to completion. Translate management priorities into concrete plans with clear owners, milestones, and delivery standards. Coordinate research, product, and other relevant teams, track progress, manage dependencies, and resolve obstacles.
• Strengthen people and organizational operations. Work with relevant colleagues and service providers to coordinate recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, employee records, and internal communications. Clarify responsibilities and improve both the employee experience and organizational efficiency.
• Manage office resources, procurement, and external services. Oversee office space, equipment and assets, travel arrangements, vendors, and service providers. Establish processes for purchasing, allocation, maintenance, and renewals. Work with the Head of Finance to align budgets, manage expenses, and coordinate payments.
• Establish operational reporting and review processes. Maintain a clear view of company priorities, resource usage, process efficiency, and unresolved issues. Provide a Cofounder with accurate, concise operational updates and follow through on corrective actions and improvements.
• Expand the use of AI in internal operations. Proactively explore AI products and tools for organizing information, processing documents, managing knowledge, tracking projects, and automating workflows. Develop reusable practices and help colleagues use these tools effectively.

Requirements

• Overseas study experience and fluency in spoken and written English and Chinese (Mandarin). Able to independently participate in English and Chinese-language meetings, prepare documents, and communicate with international teams and external service providers.
• Strong systems thinking and execution skills. Able to structure complex problems, establish priorities, define owners and delivery standards, and follow through until work is complete.
• Familiarity with collaboration platforms such as Lark/Feishu and office automation systems, with practical experience configuring, implementing, or improving them. Able to translate management needs into useful processes and tools and encourage team adoption.
• Sustained interest and curiosity in AI applications and products, proficiency with AI tools, and the ability to demonstrate specific use cases and measurable improvements in efficiency.
• Strong communication, coordination, and writing skills. Able to work effectively with technical teams, management, and external service providers, and move work forward without direct managerial authority.
• Comfortable with the pace of a startup and able to adapt your approach to the team’s size and practical needs. Willing to establish processes and handle day-to-day tasks, with attention to detail, efficiency, and results. A quick learner with a strong sense of ownership.
• Sound cost awareness, a service-oriented approach, and discretion. Able to allocate resources thoughtfully and handle internal information and sensitive matters responsibly.
• Based primarily in Singapore, the United States, or China, with Beijing as the main location in China, and available for short- to medium-term business travel as needed. The company can support Singapore Employment Pass applications, employment under U.S. OPT, and H-1B sponsorship for eligible candidates, subject to individual qualifications and applicable local requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience founding a business, serving as an early core team member, or building operational processes and systems from the ground up.
• Experience in an AI, technology, or R&D-intensive company, with an understanding of how research and product teams work and collaborate.
• Experience coordinating international teams, establishing overseas offices, or managing operations across multiple locations.
• Skills in data analysis, low-code tools, or workflow automation, with the ability to independently build practical internal tools.
• Experience managing office setup, procurement and vendors, company-wide events, or complex internal projects from planning through completion.

What We Look For

You can identify the issues that most affect team efficiency, propose practical solutions, and personally drive them through to completion. You know how to build simple, clear, sustainable processes while keeping everyday operations running smoothly, giving the team more time and attention for research and product development.

What You Can Gain at Sapient Intelligence

• Work alongside exceptional AI talent. Collaborate closely with outstanding researchers and engineers, broaden your perspective, and continue learning through everyday exchanges and shared problem-solving.
• Participate directly in the development of frontier AI. Gain insight into how leading AI technologies and products progress from research and exploration to development and deployment. Help the team turn innovative ideas into practical results through strong operational and organizational support.
• Work directly with the founders. Participate in discussions and execution on important company matters, understand the reasoning behind key decisions, and see your ideas and actions directly influence how the company operates and grows.
• Have room to contribute ideas and put them into practice. We encourage independent thinking, open discussion, and well-reasoned experimentation. You will have opportunities to bring your ideas to life and build experience through implementation and iteration.
• Pursue ambitious work with strong support. Benefit from a comfortable working environment and the resources to do your work well, while enjoying the energy and autonomy of a startup and focusing on challenging, meaningful work.