Special Projects Lead

About Odyssey

Odyssey is an innovative AI research lab focused on developing advanced general world models—causal, multimodal frameworks designed to predict and interact with real-world environments over extended periods. This groundbreaking approach aims to transform industries such as robotics, science, healthcare, education, gaming, and defense.

Founded by pioneers previously involved in autonomous vehicle technology, Odyssey boasts a world-class team with members from top-tier organizations including DeepMind, Tesla, Waymo, Meta, Apple, and Wayve. The team has contributed to notable AI advancements like DeepMind’s Gemini and Veo models, Wayve GAIA, and Tesla Full Self-Driving systems. The company is backed by prominent investors such as GV, Amazon, AMD, NVIDIA, and many distinguished individuals and AI researchers.

Role Overview

This role involves partnering closely with Odyssey’s CEO and Chief of Staff to address the company’s most critical and dynamic challenges. The position demands versatility, blending strategic, externally oriented projects with operational, hands-on initiatives. The successful candidate will navigate ambiguous issues, engage with stakeholders, and drive projects from conception to completion, gaining an insider’s perspective on building a frontier AI company and influencing its future direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead pivotal projects by defining problems, determining strategies, sourcing relevant information, and ensuring progress until completion.
• Research and evaluate new products, markets, and business models to shape Odyssey’s strategic positioning in the evolving world models market.
• Forge and maintain relationships with potential partners, investors, and strategic contacts valuable to Odyssey’s growth.
• Analyze competitive intelligence and emerging technologies to inform leadership of implications for the company’s roadmap.
• Create compelling materials for fundraises, board meetings, investor engagements, and other critical company events.
• Coordinate cross-team priorities, establish clear objectives, convene necessary collaborators, and develop operational frameworks to ensure effective execution.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Chief of Staff by refining questions, challenging ideas, and focusing company efforts on essential priorities.

Candidate Profile

• At least seven years of experience across areas such as strategy, operations, product management, investment analysis, consulting, or strategic finance within rapidly scaling tech companies.
• Direct, hands-on exposure to AI-related products or technologies coupled with a strong grasp of the AI ecosystem.
• Proficiency in deconstructing complex, ambiguous problems and independently driving solutions from inquiry to results.
• Strong analytical and structured thinking skills with sound judgment in incomplete information scenarios.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills enabling trust-building across diverse stakeholders including technical teams, executives, investors, customers, and partners.
• Humble, reliable, and flexible—comfortable oscillating between high-level strategic questions and granular operational details.
• Fast learner, motivated by new challenges, and discerning about when to collaborate versus work autonomously.