About the role

Director of Operations at Echo Labs managing operational systems for ecological intelligence research. Building a team and improving core processes in a startup-like environment in London.

Responsibilities

Build and run the operational backbone that allows Echo’s scientific and technical teams to execute rapidly and at scale.
Design, implement, and oversee internal project management and coordination systems, ensuring clear milestones, ownership, and reporting across scientific, technical, and operational workstreams.
Establish day-to-day operating rhythms, supported by lightweight but robust internal infrastructure, enabling the organisation to scale without bureaucracy.
Build a team to manage Echo’s first large-scale ecological field campaign, coordinating timelines, logistics, and dependencies to ensure readiness for a 2027 launch.
Prepare and coordinate materials for the Board of Directors, including operational updates, budgets, and decision memos, working closely with the CEO.
Act as Echo’s primary point of contact with Convergent Research on all administrative matters, ensuring smooth coordination across finance, HR, legal, and compliance functions.

Proven (5+ years) experience setting up operations from scratch or significantly scaling internal operations in startup-style organizations.
Direct experience coordinating multi-vendor operations, and managing performance against delivery commitments.
Experience coordinating across highly interdisciplinary teams, including scientists, engineers, product, and external partners, with the ability to align diverse incentives, timelines, and ways of working.
Proven ability to operate across organisational boundaries, such as working with funders, shared service providers, research collaborators, or institutional partners, while maintaining clear internal ownership and accountability.
High degree of autonomy and judgment, with comfort making decisions under uncertainty and building processes before best practices exist.
Motivation to work in a mission-driven, startup-style organisation, including willingness to be hands-on, adapt quickly, and operate without large support teams.
Exceptional organisational and execution skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast-moving environment.
Adept with digital tools (Google Workspace, Slack, Notion, Asana, etc.)

Up to a 6% employer pension contribution, with optional additional salary sacrifice, because future-you deserves comfort.
Top-tier private medical and dental insurance—are fully covered for you and your dependents. Stay healthy, my friend.
Generous parental leave—20 weeks make-whole-pay for both parents.
25 days of holiday allowance.
Wellness allowance for fitness and wellness activities.