Zapier & AI Automation Consultant

HartleyCo; United States; Remote; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

An early-stage startup in the AI automation space is seeking a Zapier & AI Automation Consultant to scale internal systems. This part-time freelance role offers the potential for growth within the company, focusing on building automation systems that enhance operations across various departments. Ideal candidates are self-directed and possess strong skills in automation tools.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with automation tools like Zapier, Make, N8N, Airtable.
• Strong low-code/no-code instincts.
• Ability to build solutions that mirror internal use cases.

Responsibilities

• Automate the internal content engine as the first project.
• Audit and prioritize workflow bottlenecks.
• Build integrations using automation tools.

Skills

Automation

Zapier

N8N

Airtable

Make

Low-code/No-code

Job description

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Headhunter | Founding Engineers & Researchers | Partner to YC & Tier 1 VC PortCo | Facilitating Growth

Remote | Part-Time (~20 hrs/week) | High Growth Potential

The Opportunity

An early-stage startup in the AI automation and agent space is looking for a sharp, resourceful Zapier & AI Automation Consultant to help scale its internal systems - and potentially evolve into a key player on the team. This is a freelance/contract role to start, but if you're the kind of person who thrives on ownership, iteration, and smart systems, there's room to grow into something bigger.

They’ve recently locked in on a powerful niche in the chaotic AI landscape and are seeing strong signs of traction. While fundraising has been paused to double down on product-market fit, the team has found clever ways to test and build without raising external capital - and it’s working.

Now, they’re ready to bring in a systems-minded builder to own internal automations that fuel growth and efficiency.

What You’ll Own

You’ll be responsible for building high-leverage internal automation systems that streamline operations across content, marketing, and sales.

Day-One Focus:

• Automate the internal content engine (your first project).
• Audit and prioritize workflow bottlenecks via the team’s Kanban board.
• Build integrations using tools like Zapier, Make, Airtable, N8N, etc.

Long-Term Vision:

• Prove value internally (crawl-walk-run).
• If you shine, you’ll expand into client-facing and revenue-generating initiatives.

Who You Are

• A systems thinker. You understand how to build, test, and optimize automations that actually move the needle.
• Self-directed. You thrive in ambiguity, take initiative, and don’t need a manager hovering over your shoulder.
• Agent-curious. You get the difference between rule-based workflows and true agentic systems - and you're keen to explore that frontier.
• Collaborative but independent. You can sync well remotely, but also know how to get sh*t done solo.

Must-Have Skills

• Hands-on experience with tools like Zapier, Make, N8N, Airtable, Xano, etc.
• Strong low-code/no-code instincts - and when to go beyond them.
• Deep understanding of automation vs agentic workflows.
• Ability to build solutions that mirror internal use cases and later scale outward.

Bonus Points For

• Exposure to agent frameworks (LangChain, AutoGPT, etc.).
• Experience with AI agents (multi-step reasoning, context memory, chaining).
• Backend familiarity (you don’t need to be an engineer, but should know how the pieces fit).
• Startup experience or scrappy side-projects.

The Team

• Led by founders with serious AI credibility.
• Lean but experienced team - fast-paced, focused, and hands-on.
• You’ll work closely with the technical cofounder and have access to deep AI and backend support.

Logistics

• Type: Freelance/Contract (Part-Time to start)
• Time Commitment: ~20 hours/week (flexible - outcome > hours)
• Location: Remote. US-based preferred for time zone alignment, but open globally if there’s strong overlap with Central Time.

Why This Role?

This isn’t just another automation gig. You’ll get in early, ship high-impact systems, and help shape how AI-driven businesses operate - both internally and for future clients. If you're looking for autonomy, momentum, and a path to something more permanent, this is it.

Ready to Apply?

Send over a few lines about yourself and links to anything you've built or automated. Bonus points for showing your thinking - not just what you built, but why.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Contract

Job function

• Job function

  Information Technology

• Industries

  IT Services and IT Consulting

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