Operations Lead

Gilder Search Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is seeking a Founding Operations Lead in New York City, on-site, to own diverse business operations across finance, admin, office management and tech automation. Initial focus includes AR, invoicing, collections and daily operations, with long-term goal to build scalable systems and automated processes that reduce manual work.

The role demands hands-on execution, strong finance and admin skills, and a partner who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment, driving efficiency

Qualifications

• Experience in operations, business administration, finance, startups or a related field.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Comfortable working with numbers, invoices and financial information.
• Strong technology skills and a genuine interest in automation.
• Experience with tools such as AI platforms, workflow automation, CRM systems or similar technologies is highly desirable.
• Extremely hands-on and willing to handle tasks personally.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Highly resourceful and able to figure things out independently.
• Strong personality and ability to work in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Finance & Administration: Manage accounts receivable and invoicing; Follow up on outstanding payments and collections; Maintain financial and operational records; Coordinate vendors, bills and contracts; Assist with payroll, benefits and administrative processes; Ensure day-to-day business operations run smoothly.
• Office Operations: Manage day-to-day office operations; Coordinate supplies, vendors and facilities; Assist with recruiting and onboarding logistics; Manage administrative projects and priorities; Become the person who makes sure things actually get done.
• Technology & Automation: Identify inefficient manual processes; Build and implement automated workflows; Use technology and AI tools to improve operational efficiency; Integrate systems and eliminate unnecessary administrative work; Develop dashboards, workflows and reporting systems; Continuously look for ways to improve how the company operates.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Hands-on

Problem solving

Independent / self-driven

Work in fast-paced environment

Tools

AI platforms

Workflow automation

CRM systems

Job description

Operations Lead

Location: New York City – On-site
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Compensation: Competitive, based on experience

About the Role

We are looking for an exceptionally hands-on and entrepreneurial Founding Operations Lead to take ownership of a wide range of critical business operations.

This is a unique role that combines finance, administration, office management, technology and process automation.

In the short term, you will be responsible for getting things done — including AR, invoicing, collections and general office operations. Long term, your mission will be to build systems and automation that make these processes faster, more efficient and less dependent on manual work.

We need someone who can both do the work and figure out how to eliminate the work.

Responsibilities

Finance & Administration

• Manage accounts receivable and invoicing.
• Follow up on outstanding payments and collections.
• Maintain financial and operational records.
• Coordinate vendors, bills and contracts.
• Assist with payroll, benefits and administrative processes.
• Ensure day-to-day business operations run smoothly.

Office Operations

• Manage day-to-day office operations.
• Coordinate supplies, vendors and facilities.
• Assist with recruiting and onboarding logistics.
• Manage administrative projects and priorities.
• Become the person who makes sure things actually get done.

Technology & Automation

• Identify inefficient manual processes.
• Build and implement automated workflows.
• Use technology and AI tools to improve operational efficiency.
• Integrate systems and eliminate unnecessary administrative work.
• Develop dashboards, workflows and reporting systems.
• Continuously look for ways to improve how the company operates.

Requirements

• Experience in operations, business administration, finance, startups or a related field.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Comfortable working with numbers, invoices and financial information.
• Strong technology skills and a genuine interest in automation.
• Experience with tools such as AI platforms, workflow automation, CRM systems or similar technologies is highly desirable.
• Extremely hands-on and willing to handle tasks personally.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Highly resourceful and able to figure things out independently.
• Strong personality and ability to work in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

This is not a traditional operations job. It requires someone who can wear multiple hats, work hard and take complete ownership. The ideal candidate is someone who sees a problem and immediately starts figuring out how to solve it.
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