Chief of Staff

Experience Level: Recent MBA Graduate

Location: Somerville, MA (Hybrid)
Company: RISE Robotics
Employment Type: Full-Time

We’re seeking a mission-aligned, action-oriented Chief of Staff to work directly with our CEO to execute strategic priorities and keep the company moving forward. This is a unique opportunity to step into a pivotal role at a fast-growing startup and gain exposure to every function of the business—from product to fundraising to operations.

• Serve as the CEO’s right hand: translate ideas into action, manage follow-ups, and help turn strategic decisions into executed projects
• Lead cross-functional initiatives: identify gaps across departments (product, finance, operations) and drive high-priority projects to completion
• Own company-wide operating cadence: plan and run leadership meetings, all-hands, weekly check-ins, and post-mortems with clarity and consistency
• Manage internal communications: ensure the right people get the right information at the right time; write and organize docs, updates, and agendas
• Build and maintain external relationships: assist with fundraising, investor updates, and grant applications; draft decks, memos, and materials
• Support team performance and culture: design offsites, events, and rituals; help resolve friction points across the org; serve as a sounding board for leaders
• Track strategic priorities: keep tabs on company goals, product milestones, and fundraising goals—and help unblock momentum when things stall
• Act as a utility player: step in where needed—whether that’s running a vendor call, refining a pitch deck, managing a budget, or planning a demo day

• A recent MBA graduate with 3–7 years of prior experience in product, operations, or finance—preferably in industrial, cleantech, or hardware sectors
• Undergraduate degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (or similar technical background preferred)
• A systems thinker who can zoom out to connect dots across functions and zoom in to ship projects with precision
• Comfortable working directly with executives and cross-functional teams—you lead through influence, not authority
• Excellent written and verbal communicator who brings structure to ambiguity and clarity to complexity
• Deeply organized, proactive, and resourceful—you don't wait to be asked; you see what needs doing and make it happen
• Experience in fast-paced startup or innovation environments; you know how to thrive amidst ambiguity
• Passionate about building a sustainable, impactful future and contributing to zero-emission innovation

Bonus Points

• Experience working directly with a CEO or executive team
• Familiarity with non-dilutive funding or government grants

Why This Role Matters

The Chief of Staff is the force multiplier for our CEO and leadership team. You’ll gain visibility into every aspect of growing a startup, make an outsized impact from day one, and help bring zero-emission machines into the real world. This is a role for a future founder, operator, or investor.