Growth Associate / Founder's Associate

About the Role

Finding a job today can be an exasperating experience, so Generalyst has reinvented the job search process. Instead of candidates constantly chasing roles, startup founders pitch their positions directly to you, with the entire process facilitated to help you excel in interviews and secure an offer—typically within a month.

Generalyst guides you through:

• Submitting a brief application (~5 minutes) and uploading your CV, followed by a short virtual interview if you match the profile, and onboarding into the program.
• Receiving direct pitches from startup founders, offering an authentic glimpse into the companies beyond standard job descriptions.
• Connecting with fast-growing startups in Germany where job search is reciprocal: you can both apply to startups and receive applications from companies impressed by your profile. More than ten candidates have already received such personalized applications.
• Accessing expert interview preparation based on extensive experience with over 1,000 interviews, including actionable advice and guidance materials.

The average time to obtain a job offer is approximately four weeks, and participation alongside full-time employment is encouraged.

Key Qualifications

• Legal permission to work in Germany.
• Proficiency in German at B2 level or higher is required; this is essential as most partner startups operate in German and require language skills for various tasks such as interacting with authorities and writing grant proposals.
• Additional native fluency in other EU languages (Dutch, Spanish, Swedish, French, Italian, Polish) is a plus, supporting companies' international expansion.

Role Explanation

A Founder's Associate is a versatile generalist working directly with a startup's founder (often the CEO) on strategic projects including marketing, operations, sales, fundraising, and more. This position offers a comprehensive perspective on startup development, enabling focus on specific business areas of interest over time. Career advancement paths include roles such as Chief of Staff, specialized individual contributor, managerial positions, or even founding a startup yourself.

The Growth Associate similarly functions as a generalist but with a stronger emphasis on commercial activities, such as generating leads through multiple channels, building marketing automations, managing online presence, and content creation. This role is well-suited for those aiming to focus on business development and later entrepreneurial ventures.

Ideal Candidates

• Early-career generalists seeking diverse exposure rather than immediate specialization.
• Recent graduates with high potential who have demonstrated initiative through side projects, leadership in student organizations, or valuable internships.
• Individuals with startup experience looking for their next challenge.
• Professionals from consulting, investment banking, private equity, or venture capital who desire hands-on accountability and operational involvement.
• Future or past founders looking to deepen their generalist expertise.
• Overall, candidates passionate about startup success, sharing entrepreneurial experiences, including failures, achievements, and lessons.

Compensation Details

Typical salaries range from €55,000 to €65,000 for Founder's Associates, and €70,000 to €95,000 for senior roles such as Chief of Staff or Country Launcher. Equity opportunities may also be available.

Application Process

• Apply via a short online form.
• Interview with the Generalyst team.
• Join the program and start engaging with startup opportunities.

Additional Information

Generalyst is committed to developing versatile professionals who embrace a generalist career path, believing these talents are essential for the future. Though remote working is valued by the founder, most partner companies emphasize in-person collaboration, so candidates should expect to work onsite primarily.

While German language skills are prioritized, a limited number of spots (20%) are reserved for extremely high-potential candidates who do not meet this requirement.