Chief of Staff (New Venture) - Job Opportunity at Xora Innovation

Singapore, Singapore
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 16, 2025
On-site
SGD 180,000 - 250,000 annually (USD 135,000 - 185,000), reflecting Singapore's competitive market for senior operational roles in venture-backed deep-tech companies, with potential equity compensation significantly increasing total package value

Benefits

Opportunity to build foundational systems and processes for a stealth venture from ground zero, providing unparalleled learning and leadership development
Direct partnership with CEO in strategic decision-making, offering exceptional visibility into executive operations and venture scaling
Cross-functional leadership experience spanning software, science, and business operations teams
International business development exposure through cross-border setup between Singapore and US operations
Access to high-level investor and board communications, building valuable network connections in the venture capital ecosystem

Key Responsibilities

Drive comprehensive business formation strategy including corporate structure, compliance frameworks, and cross-border operational alignment between Singapore headquarters and US subsidiary to establish robust legal and regulatory foundation
Architect and execute strategic planning initiatives for organizational development, encompassing staffing optimization, operational infrastructure, and critical vendor partnership management
Lead cross-functional coordination between software and science teams through structured design reviews, milestone tracking, and strategic communication to ensure seamless product development execution
Own executive communication strategy including board updates, investor presentations, and external white papers while maintaining data room integrity and relationship management systems
Establish and optimize operational processes including workflow systems, hiring pipelines, and performance tracking mechanisms to support rapid organizational scaling
Manage high-value external relationships through strategic partner and customer engagement, ensuring systematic follow-up and CRM optimization for business development success

Requirements

Education

Technical degree preferred (CS, engineering, or materials science)

Experience

Strong experience within strategy & operations at a high-growth tech firm, top-tier consultancy, or venture-backed startup

Required Skills

Strong experience within strategy & operations at a high-growth tech firm, top-tier consultancy, or venture-backed startup (deep-tech a plus) Proven experience managing early-stage company setup, including financial structuring and initial operational infrastructure Demonstrated capability in overseeing foundational business operations, vendor negotiations, and administrative processes critical to early-stage ventures Operator's mindset: lives in OKRs, burn charts, and rolling forecasts; ruthless about agendas and follow-through Writing & narrative craft: can turn complex science into crisp board prose Global execution: managed cross-APAC/US projects, navigating multi-entity compliance EQ & discretion: trusted with sensitive IP, HR, and investor conversations

Certifications

ISO-27001 familiarity beneficial SOC-2 knowledge preferred Export-control workflows experience advantageous
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Deep-tech ventures are experiencing unprecedented growth in Southeast Asia, with Singapore positioning itself as the regional hub for AI and advanced materials research, creating significant demand for operationally sophisticated leaders who can navigate both technical complexity and regulatory environments. The emergence of AI4Science as a distinct investment category is driving venture capital firms to seek specialized operational talent who can bridge scientific research with commercial product development, particularly in cross-border operational contexts. Stealth mode operations are becoming increasingly common in the deep-tech space as companies seek to protect intellectual property while building foundational capabilities, requiring chiefs of staff with exceptional discretion and strategic communication skills.

Role Significance

Initially managing coordination across 10-20 person organization spanning software and science teams, with responsibility for architecting systems that will support scaling to 50+ employees over 18-24 months
This is a senior-level strategic role functioning as a de facto COO with direct CEO partnership, requiring exceptional business acumen and the ability to operate autonomously across multiple complex functional areas while maintaining strategic oversight of company formation and scaling activities.

Key Projects

Cross-border legal entity establishment and compliance framework development Product development milestone coordination between computational and experimental teams Fundraising process management including data room maintenance and investor communication Operational infrastructure buildout including financial systems, HR processes, and vendor management

Success Factors

Exceptional project management capabilities with ability to maintain visibility across multiple complex workstreams while identifying and escalating critical issues before they impact business objectives Strategic communication skills enabling translation of complex technical concepts into compelling business narratives for diverse stakeholder audiences including investors, partners, and regulatory bodies Cross-cultural and cross-border operational expertise enabling effective navigation of Singapore-US regulatory environments and business practices Proven ability to build scalable systems and processes from ground zero while maintaining operational excellence during rapid organizational growth

Market Demand

Very High - The intersection of deep-tech expertise, cross-border operational experience, and venture scaling capabilities represents a highly specialized and scarce skill set in the Singapore market

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Strategic operations experience is absolutely essential as this role requires building foundational business systems while maintaining operational excellence during rapid scaling phases Cross-functional coordination capabilities are mission-critical given the need to align software and science teams with fundamentally different working methodologies and timelines Executive communication skills are vital for maintaining investor confidence and board relationships while managing sensitive intellectual property and competitive positioning

Beneficial Skills

Technical background significantly enhances credibility with engineering and science teams while enabling more effective translation of complex concepts for business stakeholders APAC venture ecosystem connections provide valuable network effects for partnership development, talent acquisition, and strategic relationship building Compliance and regulatory expertise becomes increasingly valuable as the venture scales and faces more complex international regulatory requirements

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to architect operational systems for stealth deep-tech venture from inception, providing unparalleled learning in venture formation and scaling methodologies
Direct exposure to cutting-edge AI4Science applications with potential for significant intellectual property development and commercial impact
Cross-border operational responsibility spanning two major technology markets, offering exceptional international business development experience
Integration of computational and experimental research teams requiring sophisticated project management and strategic coordination capabilities

Career Growth

24-36 months to VP/COO level given the accelerated learning environment and direct CEO mentorship, with potential for C-suite roles within 3-5 years based on venture success and demonstrated leadership impact

Potential Next Roles

Chief Operating Officer at scaling deep-tech venture Vice President of Strategy and Operations at growth-stage technology company Partner track at venture capital firm with operational focus CEO or Co-founder role at early-stage technology venture

Company Overview

Xora Innovation

Xora Innovation appears to be an established venture capital firm or corporate venture arm with active investment activities in deep-tech sectors, particularly AI and advanced materials, with sufficient capital and strategic focus to launch stealth ventures requiring significant operational sophistication.

Well-positioned in the Singapore venture ecosystem with apparent connections to both local and US markets, suggesting established relationships with institutional investors and strategic partners necessary for cross-border venture development
Strong Singapore presence with active US market engagement, indicating sophisticated understanding of both APAC and North American technology markets and regulatory environments
High-performance environment with emphasis on operational excellence, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration, typical of well-funded venture firms focused on complex technology development
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