Associate Chief of Staff (NOLA)

cocooncarbon • New Orleans, LA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Cocoon is a climate technology company focused on creating a scalable supply of low-cost, low-carbon cement replacement by retrofitting electric arc furnace steelmaking. This technology aims to reduce the embodied CO₂ of concrete by up to 40% and addresses the shrinking supply of cementitious materials in the US and Europe amidst booming infrastructure demand. The company has secured $15M in Series A funding and is deploying its first commercial demonstration facility, with plans for expansion across numerous steel plants. The role of Associate Chief of Staff is crucial for establishing Cocoon's US presence, working directly with the CEO to manage people and talent, oversee business operations, and lead the setup of US facilities. This position offers significant breadth, direct access to decision-making, and ownership, with a clear growth trajectory as US operations scale. The role is ideally based in New Orleans, LA, or Charleston, SC, requiring in-person collaboration with the CEO and approximately 1-2 weeks of monthly travel to the London headquarters or between US locations.

Requirements

• 4-6 years in high-performance environments such as consulting, banking, or an operations or chief-of-staff role at a fast-growing startup.
• Structured thinker and relentless executor: ability to take a half-formed idea and turn it into a delivered outcome.
• Ability to run multiple workstreams end-to-end with minimal oversight, and know when to build a process and when to just get it done.
• Energized by people and talent work; from hiring and performance to building systems that help a team excel.
• Highly proficient with AI tools, and good working knowledge of typical SaaS solutions across finance, HR, sales, and operations.
• Communicate clearly, manage stakeholders well across time zones, and thrive with a UK-based team and a travel-heavy rhythm (1-2 weeks per month).
• Relevant experience taking organizations and facilities from zero to one that enables them to predict and prevent hiccups and scaling challenges.

Nice To Haves

• An engineering background or degree, helping to engage credibly with technical teams.
• Exposure to hardware, industrial, climate tech, or construction sectors.

Responsibilities

• Act as a day-to-day thought partner to the CEO, pressure-testing ideas, developing solutions for implementation, driving follow-through on their priorities, and partnering with the broader commercial team on key strategic projects.
• Bring structure, rhythm and automation to OKR management and company reporting, helping the organization to achieve their goals and drive high performance.
• Own the people & talent function, establishing and improving processes across hiring and performance management to ensure Cocoon is the best place to work.
• Work collaboratively with the UK team to drive towards becoming an AI-native company, and streamline processes, systems and operations.
• Lead the establishment of Cocoon's first US facilities, including a concrete testing lab and customer showroom in South Carolina: site selection, leases, permitting, contractors, equipment procurement, fit-out, and logistics set up for goods in & out.
• Establish Cocoon's US business operations: office and facilities management, US legal & finance matters, R&D grant applications, insurance, and US-side material and equipment logistics.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and stock options.
• Healthcare, dental & vision: an $800/month tax-free allowance (ICHRA via TakeCommand) towards your own plan, plus $500 for a first dependent and $250 for a second.
• 401(k) through Guideline with a 4% company match.
• 20 days PTO plus ~10 US federal holidays (30 days total).
• $1,000 annual development budget, with more available on request.
• Relocation support if required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed