Fractional Startup COO / Product & Operations Lead — AI SaaS | Build, Launch & Scale

We are building an **AI-driven SaaS platform in a regulated U.S. industry** and are looking for one experienced individual to work directly with the founder as a long-term strategic and operational right hand. The platform has been under development for an extended period and much of the core product and workflow is already built. We are approaching the next critical stage: **QA/UAT, legal/compliance integration, operational and financial readiness, go-to-market planning and launch.** This is **not intended to be a short-term consulting assignment**. The initial involvement will be intentionally light, but we are looking for the right person to **grow with the company, help bring it through launch, and potentially become an increasingly important part of the business as it scales.** ## The Opportunity Initially, this will be an **as-needed fractional engagement of approximately 10–15 hours per month, with no guaranteed minimum**. At this stage, the focus is on senior-level review, strategy, prioritization, decision support and making sure the company is taking the right path across its different workstreams. As the platform moves through launch, customer acquisition, growth and potentially outside fundraising, the level of involvement could increase substantially. We are specifically looking for someone who is comfortable starting lean **but has the experience, flexibility and interest to grow into a much broader operating role over time**. For the right person, this is an opportunity to become deeply involved in helping shape, launch and scale an AI-driven company rather than simply completing a limited project. ## What You Will Help Lead The role will span the business, including: * Product and AI strategy * Reviewing the existing platform and identifying gaps, unnecessary complexity and better alternatives * Development and vendor oversight * QA/UAT strategy and launch readiness * Evaluating AI models, integrations, technologies and third-party tools * Product roadmap, priorities and execution * Operations and cross-functional coordination * Business model, pricing, unit economics and financial planning * GTM, marketing, customer acquisition and launch strategy * U.S. startup execution and commercialization * Fundraising strategy, readiness and execution support * Coordinating legal/compliance and other specialists when necessary * Helping determine what should be handled internally versus where specialized expertise is required ## Independent Judgment Is Essential We are not looking for someone who simply follows instructions or manages a task list. A major part of this role is **independently evaluating alternatives, challenging assumptions and recommending the smartest, most efficient and commercially sensible path forward.** That includes being comfortable telling the founder when: * Something should not be built yet * There is a better or less expensive way to accomplish an objective * A vendor or technology is unnecessary * AI is being used where a simpler solution would work better * An important business or product risk is being overlooked * The company is not ready for a particular next step * A proposed strategy should be reconsidered ## Fundraising Experience Is Important Fundraising may become an important part of the company’s growth, and we want the same person to be capable of helping lead that process rather than discovering later that this is a major capability gap. The right candidate should have **real hands-on startup fundraising experience**, including meaningful involvement in areas such as: * Fundraising strategy and readiness * Determining capital requirements and use of funds * Financial assumptions and investor-facing planning * Pitch deck and data-room preparation * Investor materials * Investor targeting and outreach strategy * Investor process and diligence * Supporting a raise toward closing You do not need to be an investment banker, but this should not be an area where you would need to learn the fundamentals from scratch. ## Ideal Background We are looking for meaningful experience across: * Early-stage U.S. startups * SaaS and AI-driven products * Product and operations leadership * Taking software from development through QA and commercial launch * Managing developers and technical vendors * AI product strategy and technology/vendor evaluation * Financial modeling, pricing and unit economics * GTM and commercialization * Startup fundraising * Working directly with founders * Regulated technology businesses such as InsurTech, FinTech, HealthTech or similar Strong experience working with **U.S.-based companies and U.S. startup practices** is important. Candidates may be located anywhere provided they have excellent English, reliable North American business-hour availability when needed, and substantial experience working with U.S. businesses. ## One Individual — Not an Agency We are specifically looking for **one individual**, not an agency or outsourced team. The selected person will personally perform the work and become deeply familiar with the business. Specialists may be brought in where genuinely necessary, but this person should remain the founder’s central point of strategic and operational support. ## Confidentiality The public posting intentionally contains limited information. Selected candidates will be required to sign a **comprehensive NDA before receiving detailed information** regarding the platform, industry, workflows, technology, AI implementation, business model and strategy. ## When Applying Please answer briefly and specifically: 1. Describe a U.S.-based startup or SaaS product you helped take from development through launch. What did you personally own? 2. Describe your hands-on experience with AI-driven products, workflows or integrations. 3. Have you worked directly as a founder’s right hand or senior cross-functional operator? What functions did you personally oversee? 4. Give an example where you challenged a founder or team and recommended a materially different direction. 5. Describe your experience overseeing developers, QA/UAT and determining genuine launch readiness. 6. Describe your experience with pricing, unit economics, financial planning, GTM and commercialization. 7. Describe a startup fundraising process you personally helped lead. What did you personally handle from preparation through investor process and closing? 8. Which U.S.-based startups, companies or founders have you worked with? 9. Are you comfortable beginning on an **as-needed basis of approximately 10–15 hours per month with no guaranteed minimum**, while having the flexibility and interest to increase your involvement substantially as the company launches and grows? 10. Are you interested in a relationship that could grow into a significant long-term fractional operating role as the company scales? 11. What is your hourly rate and current availability? 12. Are you willing to work personally as an individual and sign a comprehensive NDA before receiving confidential information?