Chief of Staff to the CEO

ABOUT SAND TECHNOLOGIES

Sand Technologies is a fast-growing enterprise AI company that solves real-world problems for large blue-chip companies and governments around the world.

We’re pioneers of meaningful AI: our solutions go far beyond chatbots. We are using data and AI to solve the world’s biggest issues in telecommunications, sustainable water management, energy, healthcare, climate change, smart cities, and other areas that have a real impact on the world. For example, our AI systems help to manage the water supply for the entire city of London. We created the AI algorithms that enabled the 7th largest telecommunications company in the world to plan its network in 300 cities in record time. And we built a digital healthcare system that enables 30m people in a country to get world-class healthcare despite a shortage of doctors.

We’ve grown our revenues by over 500% in the last 12 months while winning prestigious scientific and industry awards for our cutting-edge technology. We’re underpinned by over 300 engineers and scientists working across Africa, Europe, the UK and the US. 

You will get to work with Fred Swaniker, who has been recognized by Time Magazine as one of the “100 most influential people in the world”. A serial entrepreneur, Fred has raised over $1.5 billion and successfully scaled over 8 organizations. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Chief of Staff, you will play a central role in leading an innovative company during an explosive period of growth. Your responsibilities will include: 

• Driving Strategic Growth Initiatives: Design and execute strategies to drive growth, innovation, partnerships, and entry into new domains.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: You will provide analytical and strategic support for M&A, serving as confidante to the CEO and board during confidential evaluation of targets, negotiation of deals, and planning of integration.
• Capital Raising: You will play a critical role in our ongoing $150m Series C capital raise, crafting compelling pitches, negotiating deal terms, and working closely with current and potential investors.
• Financial and Analytical Decision Support: You will partner with the CEO and senior leaders to perform financial analyses to guide potential investments, evaluate business opportunities, and provide insights to inform critical strategic decisions.
• Board and Investor Engagement: Act as the CEO’s right hand in managing board relationships, liaising directly with investors, board members, and the executive team to make longer-term strategic choices and tie it back to day to day execution.
• Shaping the Company’s Future: Serve as a key thought partner to the CEO, influencing the direction of the organization by tackling high-stakes projects and solving complex problems as they arise. No day in the life of the CoS is the same and involves flexibility and comfort in rapidly changing environments and problem solving across a variety of business challenges.
• Leading Cross-Functional Initiatives: Take charge of diverse, high-impact projects across departments, from launching new initiatives and domains to refining operational processes while leading teams of senior leaders.

Most Chiefs of Staff work in this role for 1-2 years before moving on to great business schools or launching their own entrepreneurial ventures. This is a unique opportunity to take part in leadership and decision-making at the highest level where your impact will be felt across the entire organization.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ‘CHIEFs’

Click here to learn more about what this role means for Fred and about the previous people who have held this role. Previous CoS have come from top firms like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, or BCG and gone on to attend top business schools (e.g., Stanford, HBS, Wharton) and start their own businesses. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience & Background: At least 2-3 years experience in a top-tier consulting, investment banking / financial firm or high-technology company (or equivalent fast-paced, multi-faceted work environment)
• Analytical & problem-solving skills: You can dissect a problem into smaller components, analyze each and ultimately generate creative solutions to the overall problem. You have  strong skills in data analysis, financial modeling, and possess financial acumen.
• Extremely organized: You keep track of all outstanding items and plan your time strategically to meet deadlines and priorities at the individual and team levels.
• Excellent writer: You enjoy writing and know what is appropriate for different audiences to inspire, sell or convey specific emotions and messages.
• Track record of execution: You have a reputation for getting things done, and are not afraid of hard work or long hours.
• Experience with senior leadership: you have previous experience working closely with the leadership team of an organization or with a senior manager.
• Project management: you have ample experience managing projects end-to-end, coordinating a range of stakeholders and ensuring results are achieved.
• Operations: your operational skills are top of the game or you have proven experience in operations management