‍Who We Are

Exponential Science Foundation (www.exp.science) is a pioneering non‑profit founded by Prof. Paolo Tasca and Prof. Nikhil Vadgama. We harness blockchain, AI, quantum and other exponential technologies to convert cutting‑edge scientific breakthroughs into secure, inclusive, real‑world solutions.

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About the Role

As our first Chief of Staff, you will be the operational heartbeat of the organisation—blending the lenses of COO, HR Director and project‑manager‑extraordinaire. You will keep day‑to‑day operations smooth, culture thriving and executives focused on the highest‑value priorities. If you relish turning complexity into clarity, this is your playground.

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Responsibilities

1 · Operations & Executive Enablement

• Guarantee the smooth running of back‑office, tools and critical shared inboxes (hr@, legal@, admin@).
• Act as the first point of contact between staff and the Executive Office; triage issues and remove blockers.
• Provide high‑calibre EA support—managing complex calendars, global travel, board prep and grant deadlines.
• Coordinate and, when required, chair internal and external meetings; capture actions and ensure follow‑through.
• Mentor and supervise junior assistants and PAs, ensuring consistent, high‑quality support across the organisation.
• Step into under‑resourced areas during peak loads, staff absences or holidays to maintain business continuity.
• Be available outside UK working hours when critical deadlines or intercontinental travel demand it.
  
  

2 · People & Culture Leadership

• Design and run global HR strategy, policies, benefits and compliance.
• Own the full employee lifecycle: workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, job design, quarterly performance reviews, engagement surveys and employee relations.
• Monitor objectives & key results (OKRs) for staff and contractors; track progress and surface risks.
• Partner with managers to deliver training that uplevels leadership and aligns People Ops with business goals.
• Foster a cohesive, mission‑driven culture.
• Organise internal events—celebrations, onboarding sessions, team‑building activities and off‑sites.

3 · Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives

• Lead end‑to‑end project management for high‑impact, ambiguous “0→1” programmes—e.g., public‑grant applications, new‑market entry, organisation‑wide off‑sites.
• Establish project charters, timelines, budgets and success metrics; rally cross‑functional teams to delivery.
• Represent the organisation externally when delegated (events, partners, media).
• Carry out “any other duties” assigned by the Board or Executive Office to help realise organisational goals.

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Key Requirements

• 7 + years’ senior experience owning HR functions plus demonstrable responsibility for business operations or Chief‑of‑Staff–style mandates.
• Proven track record building processes from scratch and aligning People Ops with commercial objectives.
• Exceptional communication skills; able to build trust across diverse, distributed teams.
• Thrive in fast‑paced, hands‑on environments—juggling multiple priorities and adapting quickly to change.
• Self‑starter who can work autonomously, including occasional non‑standard hours around deadlines or global travel.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to strengthen in‑person collaboration.

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What We Offer

• Collaboration with a passionate, global team of scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs.
• Access to an unparalleled network of deep‑tech innovators, investors and resources.
• Competitive remuneration with performance‑based incentives.
• The chance to shape an entrepreneurial organisation at the intersection of research, education and venture building—transforming breakthrough science into real‑world impact.

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