Operations Lead, Ultranative Build Program
Ultranative Build Program
Austin
Full-time
Role Overview
The Opportunity
We're seeking a Top-1% operator – the kind who's built and scaled in chaos and turns ambiguity into advantage – to serve as Operations Lead for Ultranative’s Build Program. The Build Program is the engine that ideates, incubates, and launches high-impact companies in health, food & agriculture, sustainability, mental health, and transformative technology. Backed by a network of world-class partners and investors, we're not just building companies – we're reshaping health and sustainability at scale.
As Operations Lead, you’ll own mission-critical projects end-to-end and work hand-in-hand with our CEO and founding team. If you’re ready to move at warp speed to build businesses that meaningfully improve human and planetary health, read on.
As Operations Lead, you’ll own mission-critical projects end-to-end and work hand-in-hand with our CEO and founding team. If you’re ready to move at warp speed to build businesses that meaningfully improve human and planetary health, read on.
Role Scorecard
The Mission: Deliver predictable execution velocity across Ultranative’s incubation portfolio by owning timelines, ops infrastructure, AI-enabled workflows, partner pipelines and ecosystem activations.
Core Competencies (Must-Have, Not “Nice”-to-Have):
1.
Extreme Ownership. Doesn’t forward problems; closes loops; anticipates next three steps.
2.
Operational Excellence. Schedules, clears blockers, and enforces deadlines with tact and firmness.
3.
Partner Pipeline. CRM, contract management and development, stakeholder engagement.
4.
AI Automation Fluency. Builds automation stack, documents it, trains team, tracks savings.
5.
Written Precision. Founder-level memos, decks, GTM briefs; zero-fluff, strategic clarity.
6.
Social Capital Stewardship. Handles partners, investors, and philanthropists without posture or ego.
7.
Neutral Ego. Executes without title ambition; durable in the operator role.
What You’ll Do
Strategic Execution & Operations
Work with the CEO and founding team to deliver on-time launches and 20-30% efficiency gains through optimized processes
Drive timelines, milestones, and cross-functional coordination to hit aggressive launch and growth targets
Partner with the CEO to shape vision, strategy, fund raising materials, and governance for new ventures
Anticipate and mitigate roadblocks, ensuring 95%+ milestone hit rate
Systems, Automation & Special Projects
Design and implement AI-powered workflows (Lindy.AI, Zapier, Claude, etc.) across Google Workspace, Notion, Airtable, Slack, and CRM tools
Own internal operating cadence, OKRs, and resource allocation across shared services (marketing, finance, legal, ops)
Lead high-leverage special projects that span the entire platform
Community & Ecosystem Building
Build relationships with corporate partners, foundations, government agencies, pilots, and distribution channels
Own demo days, investor weeks, vertical summits, dinners, and brand activations from concept to execution
Grow Ultranative’s audience of founders, scientists, operators, and creators through events and content
Market Intelligence & Opportunity Validation
Run rapid, high-signal opportunity scans and customer validation in our core verticals
Produce competitive landscapes, moat analyses, regulatory/tailwind mapping, and quarterly sector briefs
Support the structuring and legal formation of new companies
Who You Are
4–8 years of operating or investing experience at top-tier startups, VC/PE firms, consulting (McKinsey, Bain, BCG), or investment banking
Proven operator in 0→1 and 1→10 environments — you’ve built processes, hit deadlines, and shipped in chaos
Hands-on builder of AI-automated systems (e.g., integrated Claude for decision support)
Fluent in startup fundamentals: cap tables, term sheets, data rooms, pitch decks, unit economics
Exceptional written and verbal communicator — comfortable engaging founders, investors, and philanthropists
Extreme ownership + bias to action; you default to getting it done yourself if needed
Obsessed with impact— you've volunteered or invested in health/sustainability causes
Based in (or willing to relocate to) Austin, TX, and excited about in-person collaboration 4–5days/week
Nice-to-Haves
Experience in health & wellness tech, CPG, digital marketing, food/ag, or mental health
Previously a founder, early employee (#1–20), or worked inside a top accelerator/incubator
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary: $145,000 – $175,000 (DOE)
Meaningful equity in every incubation you help launch
Top-tier health benefits (Sana)
$2,000 annual wellness stipend
Daily farm-to-table lunch
Unlimited PTO
State-of-the-art office on South Congress with an exceptional community of founders and investors
Direct exposure to Ultranative’s network of world-class operators, scientists, and capital partners
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