Chief of Staff

About Harmonic Security

Harmonic Security lets teams adopt AI tools safely by protecting sensitive data in real time with minimal effort. It gives enterprises full control and stops leaks so that their teams can innovate confidently.

We are led by cybersecurity experts and backed by top investors including N47, Ten Eleven Ventures, and In-Q-Tel. 

We’ve achieved early traction and product-market fit with a world-class team, and are now focused on accelerating revenue, building operational rigor, and scaling rapidly toward our Series B with a small, high-performance team in San Francisco and London.

About the Role

We’re hiring our first Chief of Staff to the CEO: a strategic operator, trusted advisor, and force multiplier for Alastair Paterson as we scale through our next phase of growth.

This is a critical, high-impact role designed as a ~ 2-year “tour of duty” to provide leverage to the CEO while building cross-company operating discipline and leadership excellence. It is a launchpad into a senior leadership role within Harmonic or beyond.

To be crystal clear, this is not an EA role. It’s a strategic leadership position with direct exposure to the board, investors, customers, and the full executive team. This role will provide a front-row seat into what it takes to build and scale a category-defining Enterprise SaaS company. 

What You’ll Do

1. Strategic Partnership

• Provide leverage on strategic planning, fundraising, investor relations, and board preparation.
• Help translate the CEO’s vision into clear and actionable priorities

2. Operational Execution

• Drive cross-functional alignment on priorities, OKRs, and execution rhythm.
• Partner with VP, Company Operations to strengthen planning, reporting, and communications.

3. Leadership Support

• Serve as a thought partner and sounding board to the CEO.
• Lead CEO prep, including: briefings, agendas, decision frameworks, and follow-ups.

4. Decision-Making Enablement

• Distill complex issues into clear options and tradeoffs.
• Ensure timely, data-driven decisions by coordinating inputs from the leadership team.

5. Communication & Influence

• Craft executive communications (board decks, investor updates, all-hands).
• Act as proxy for the CEO in internal and external meetings where needed.

6. Organizational Effectiveness

• Help identify and resolve cross-company bottlenecks.
• Coach leaders on alignment, accountability, and scaling best practices.

7. Special Projects

• Lead high-priority, ambiguous initiatives directly for the CEO.

What Success Looks Like

• Company priorities are clear, aligned, and executed with consistency + tempo.
• Board + investor communications are consistently strategic and high-quality.
• CEO’s time is focused on the highest-leverage opportunities across customers, investors, and team.
• Harmonic’s leadership team is more effective, aligned, and empowered.
• Chief of Staff delivers measurable impact through 2 – 3 high-priority cross-functional projects.
• After ~2 years, Chief of Staff is ready to step into a VP-level or GM role.

What you Bring 

• 6–10 years of experience, including:
• Top-tier management consulting or investment banking (McKinsey, BCG, Bain, GS, Morgan Stanley, etc.)
• High-growth startup operating experience (Series A–C preferred).
• Strong track record in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• “AI native” and already integrating GenAI into workflows.
• Exceptional communication skills and executive presence.
• Analytical, structured problem solver with operational rigor.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: scrappy, resourceful, high-agency.
• Ability to influence and build trust with executives, investors, and customers.

You Might Be a Fit if You…

• Are energized by serving as a CEOs right hand in a fast-scaling startup.
• Thrive at the intersection of strategy, execution, and technology.
• Want exposure across all aspects of building and scaling a tech company.
• See this role as a stepping stone into a senior leadership position.
• Are motivated by outsized impact, steep learning, and high visibility.
• Are based in San Francisco and comfortable working in-office three days a week.
• Enjoy ~10–15% travel for off-sites, conferences, and customer meetings.

Harmonic’s Core Values

• Flourish in the Unknown: We relish being thrown into new, unfamiliar situations that require initiative and rapid decision-making.We orient ourselves quickly and deliver results with minimal guidance.
• Never Full: We never hesitate to raise our hands and take on challenges to assist those in need. We hunger for opportunities to learn and do more.
• Perfect Harmony: We have a genuine willingness to assist and support one another to create cohesion and unity. We foster success through collaboration and honest sharing of feedback and ideas, enabling everyone to grow and produce their best work.

This isn’t just a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of a team that is redefining cybersecurity. We believe today’s talent is tomorrow’s success, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can do the best work of your life.

• Competitive base salary: $200,000 - $240,000 based on experience
• Meaningful equity stake in a fast-growing security company
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision and 401k matching

• Direct mentorship from experienced CEO and leadership team
• Accelerated career trajectory with clear path to senior leadership roles after ~2-3 years
• Broad exposure across all aspects of building and scaling a tech company