Founder's Associate / GTM / Ops

About the role

This opportunity is for a generalist who wants to work closely with a founder or CEO on a mix of strategic and hands-on business areas such as go-to-market, operations, marketing, sales, fundraising, and related special projects. It is designed for people who want broad exposure to how a startup is built and run, rather than specializing too early.

Generalyst acts as a career accelerator for candidates who want startups to come to them instead of the other way around. The process includes an initial application, a short virtual interview if there is a fit, onboarding into the program, and then introductions to startups that may pitch roles directly to you. The team also helps candidates prepare for interviews and improve their chances of securing an offer, often within about a month.

This path can lead to roles such as Chief of Staff, a more specialized individual contributor position, a management track such as Head of X, or even founding a company later on. Founder’s Associate profiles typically have around 0–3 years of experience, while Chief of Staff roles often sit around 3–5 years or more depending on company stage.

What the program involves

• Submit a short application form and share your CV for an initial review.
• Complete a brief virtual interview with the Generalyst team if you are a match.
• Get added to the candidate program and become visible to startups seeking talent.
• Receive role pitches from startup founders and, in some cases, direct applications from companies that see you as a strong fit.
• Access interview preparation, guidance, and practical support from the Generalyst team.

Candidate profile

The program is aimed at early-career generalists who want a wide view of startup life and do not want to focus on one specialty just yet. Strong candidates may be recent graduates with entrepreneurial activity during university, people from startups or scale-ups looking for their next move, or professionals from consulting, investment banking, private equity, or venture capital who want broader ownership and a more hands-on environment.

Founders and former founders are also encouraged to apply, as the role suits people with high potential, initiative, and a willingness to learn across functions.

Location and working model

The position is based in Berlin, Germany. While some flexibility may exist, the expectation is that the role is primarily office-based for most of the week rather than fully remote.

Compensation

Typical salaries mentioned for Founder’s Associate roles are around €55,000 to €65,000 per year. For Chief of Staff or Country Launcher-type profiles, compensation is typically around €70,000 to €95,000 per year, with possible equity on top.

Eligibility

• You must have permission to work in Germany.
• You need German language ability at B2 level or higher.
• Speaking another EU language natively is considered an advantage, especially Dutch, Spanish, Swedish, French, Italian, or Polish.
• Even if you do not speak German, you may still apply, as a limited share of places is reserved for very high-potential non-German speakers.

Why German matters

Most of the startups in the network operate in Germany and prefer candidates who can work comfortably in German. That is often important for tasks such as dealing with authorities, preparing grant applications, or communicating with German small and medium-sized businesses. Because of that, German fluency is treated as a key filter for many roles.

How selection works

• Apply through the program with your CV and short form.
• Speak with the Generalyst team in an interview.
• If selected, join the program and begin getting matched with startup opportunities.

About Generalyst

Generalyst is built for people who prefer to stay broad rather than lock into one function. The company’s goal is to support and grow the next generation of generalist talent.