Chief of Staff

Robigo; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4% 401K Match

Medical – 100% coverage via United Hea

Dental – 100% coverage via BCBS

Unlimited PTO within reason

Holidays: Federal holidays + week off

Job summary

Robigo is seeking a Chief of Staff to the CEO who will synchronize operations, communications, and fundraising as the company advances toward market entry and a Series B. You will partner with the CEO to manage grants, investor relations, and strategic initiatives while ensuring execution of daily priorities and culture across a fast-growing startup.

This role requires exceptional organization, strong written and visual communication, and the ability to translate complex topics into

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a role requiring rigor and speed at a high-growth startup.
• PhD in biology-related discipline preferred.
• Unmatched work ethic and comfort with long hours.
• Strong written and visual communication; experience in investor relations or finance comms a plus.
• Exceptional organizational skills and scheduling expertise.
• Strong technical writing ability; grant writing/administration experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations, vendor and account administration, travel, and facilities.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and drive culture and internal communications.
• Lead CEO communications, investor updates, decks, and board materials.
• Manage non-dilutive funding and grant milestones; coordinate reporting.

Skills

Operations management

Executive communications

Investor relations

Grant administration

Strategic thinking

High‑tempo startup experience

Education

PhD in biology-related discipline

Job description

Chief of Staff

Location: This role is based out of our office in Cambridge, MA. We operate in a hybrid model with regular in-office collaboration (minimum of 4 days/week)

Target Start Date: January 2027

About

Robigo is crop protection without compromise. Powered by our proprietary ARGO™ platform, Robigo engineers biological solutions that outperform synthetic chemistries, giving growers the tools they need to protect their livelihoods and build a more resilient food system.

Position Overview

As Chief of Staff to the CEO, you’ll serve as a force multiplier and own the day-to-day work that keeps Robigo running smoothly, from small logistics to bigger-picture priorities. This role suits someone who thrives at the intersection of operations, communications, and science in a fast-moving startup. You'll work closely with the CEO to support communications and investor relations, lead administration of Robigo's active grant portfolio, and ensure the CEO’s time is focused on the highest-impact areas.

This is not a 9-to-5 role. We move fast, we strive for excellence, and we expect the same from you.

Responsibilities

• Operations & Execution: Own day-to-day operational execution across the company, including managing and optimizing operational systems, vendor and account administration, meeting and travel coordination, and facility operations. Support hiring and onboarding, and drive company culture and team experience initiatives, including events, retreats, and internal communications.

• Communications & Investor Relations: Serve as primary support for CEO communications, including meeting decks, investor updates, board materials, and internal all-hands materials that reflect the CEO's voice and style.

• Non-Dilutive Fundraising & Grant Administration: Manage administration of Robigo's non-dilutive funding portfolio, tracking milestones and reporting deadlines, ensuring timely fund requests and payouts, and leading reporting submissions. Own new grant applications in collaboration with the CEO and technical team.

• Series B & Special Projects: Support Series B fundraising preparation, maintaining investor tracking documentation, and building project plans for raise-related workstreams. Own additional special projects as needed to support company priorities.

Values & Working Style

• Fast Learner: You pick up new domains quickly, especially investor- and finance- adjacent communication. You don't need extensive ramp-up to contribute at a high level.

• Detail-Oriented Operator: You catch what others miss, and you take pride in work that's accurate, organized, and polished.

• Bias Toward Action: No task is too small. You move quickly, follow through, and get things done without waiting to be asked.

• Problem Solver: You proactively identify and resolve issues before they elevate, synthesizing ambiguity into clear recommendations for executive decision-making.

Qualifications & Requirements

• 5+ years in a role that demanded rigor and speed (consulting, business operations, strategy, or a chief of staff capacity supporting senior executives at a high-growth startup); PhD in a biology-related discipline preferred.

• Unmatched work ethic. Energized by high-stakes, high-tempo environments and comfortable with the hours that come with them.

• Personable and effective at building buy‑in across a team with limited functional overlap, paired with the discretion and trustworthiness needed to regularly handle sensitive, confidential information.

• Strong written and visual communicator. Can synthesize ambiguous, complex topics into clear, executive-ready recommendations and narratives (decks, emails, and social content) tailored for investors, the Board, and the internal team. Skilled at building compelling, well-organized, aesthetically strong decks. Prior experience in investor relations or finance communications is a plus.

• Exceptionally organized, with strong scheduling and planning skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate needs.

• Strong technical writing ability, comfortable reporting on technical grant milestones; prior grant‑writing or grant administration experience is a plus.

Why this role matters now

Robigo is moving fast as we near market entry, prepare for a successful Series B, and establish systems that support the company through its next stage of growth. The CEO needs a trusted operator who can own critical functions on an expanding to‑do list. This role will keep the company's operations, communications, and fundraising efforts moving without missing a beat, enabling the CEO to focus on the highest‑impact areas.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary to be commensurate based on experience, skills, and fit. Role is eligible for equity compensation.

Benefits

• 4% 401K Match

• Medical - 100% coverage via United Health

• Dental - 100% coverage via BCBS

• Unlimited PTO within reason

• Holidays: All federal holidays + week between Christmas and New Years

Robigo, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Aff…