Operations Lead

At Lapel, we believe the most hospitable companies win. We're building the data, infrastructure, and tools that help customer-facing teams understand every customer and act on that insight at scale.

Most internet businesses want to treat customers well, but their tools work against them. We’re building the layer that makes service feel personal again: unifying context, coordinating action, and closing the gap between intent and experience.

It’s a technically ambitious challenge spanning data infrastructure, AI, and systems design—with a deeply human outcome: helping software companies serve people better. We call it hospitality at scale.

We’re well-funded, backed by top-tier investors, and already working with incredible companies, from fast-growing startups to large enterprises. We’ll share more details when we talk.

We are looking for our first operations hire. This is a founding role, which means you will not be handed a playbook. You will write it. You will work directly with the founders to build the operational foundation that lets Lapel scale, from internal systems and processes to vendor relationships, finance, recruiting coordination, and everything in between.

If you are the kind of person who sees a broken process and fixes it before anyone asks, who holds every detail to a high standard, and who finds genuine satisfaction in making the people around you more effective, this role was designed for you.

• Own and improve internal operations: build the systems, processes, and tools that keep Lapel running smoothly as we grow.

• Support the founders with day-to-day execution so they can focus on building.

• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, office operations, and company logistics end to end.

• Coordinate hiring: manage pipelines, schedule interviews, own candidate communications, and help create a great experience for everyone we meet.

• Drive finance and accounting workflows: expenses, invoices, payroll coordination, and liaison with our external partners.

• Identify gaps across the business and close them, whether that means building a process from scratch, running a project yourself, or bringing in the right help.

• Act as a cultural anchor: help maintain the high standards and thoughtful, caring environment we are known for as we scale.

• You have 2 or more years of experience in operations, chief of staff, or a similar generalist role at a fast-moving company or startup.

• You take initiative and follow through. If something is broken, you fix it. No dropped threads.

• You hold a high bar for your own work and the work of those around you, and you say so when something can be better.

• You are calm and precise under pressure. Details matter to you and you enjoy the craft of getting them right.

• You are a strong communicator, both in writing and in person. Clarity is a skill you have worked to develop.

• You are curious and quick to learn. You pick up new tools, contexts, and domains without needing to be hand-held.

• You genuinely enjoy making the people around you more effective. You see support as a craft, not a supporting role.

This role is fully in-person at our San Francisco HQ. We work together in-office most days.

We believe great people build great companies—and we invest accordingly.

• Competitive salary + meaningful early-stage equity

• Full benefits: including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)

• Generous time off: including many company holidays and coordinated team-wide breaks throughout the year to focus and recharge

• Office perks: lunch and dinner provided daily, health & wellness benefits

• Team culture: regular off-sites, tight feedback loops, and a bias toward action

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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