Lead, Special Projects

Cynch AI•Pleasanton, CA

3d•$95,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead, Special Projects reports to the Managing Director and supports the executive team by taking ownership of operational problems, driving them to resolution, and freeing leadership to focus on its priorities. The role combines the broad perspective of a chief of staff with hands-on execution. Work varies from week to week and may involve unfamiliar topics; the successful candidate investigates, learns quickly, resolves issues, and documents processes so recurring work becomes easier. The role turns team priorities into written plans with owners, milestones, and budgets, and tracks progress. It investigates practice needs across capacity, staffing, systems, workflow, and client experience, using data and team input to develop recommendations. It also supports the operating rhythm through agendas, pre-reads, decision and action-item tracking, and follow-up. Working with practice managers, the Lead helps unblock projects and turn one-off fixes into repeatable processes. Special projects may include acquisitions, data analysis, vendor contracts, licensing and registrations, and policy and procedure development. Success includes learning the team, systems, and open issues in the first 30 days and closing at least two lingering items; independently helping manage projects within 90 days; and, within six months, managing a meaningful share of operational work, documenting recurring processes, and leading long-term planning efforts end to end. The position is hybrid in Cupertino, Santa Cruz, or Pleasanton, California, and is full-time. The preliminary California salary range is $95,000–$125,000.

Requirements

3–7 years of experience in a fast-paced role such as operations, consulting, banking, a startup, or a professional services firm.
A track record of owning messy, ambiguous projects from start to finish.
Strong analytical skills and comfort using AI tools in day-to-day work.
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Able to manage multiple threads, stay organized, and reliably track notes, projects, and follow-ups.
Curiosity about unfamiliar work, resourcefulness, and ability to learn quickly and ask good questions.
Clear written and verbal communication, including concise summaries and direct answers.
Discretion when handling confidential deal, client, and company information.

Nice To Haves

Experience at a CPA, tax, or accounting firm.
Exposure to M&A, due diligence, or post-acquisition integration.
Experience with business insurance, vendor management, or HR operations.

Responsibilities

Turn team priorities into written plans with owners, milestones, and budgets, and track progress.
Investigate practice needs across capacity, staffing, systems, workflow, and client experience; gather data and team input and make recommendations.
Prepare agendas and pre-reads, capture decisions and action items, and follow up until actions are complete.
Work with practice managers to unblock projects and document repeatable processes from one-off fixes.
Own special projects that need a business owner, potentially including acquisitions, data analysis, vendor contracts, licensing and registrations, and policy and procedure development.
Take operational problems through to resolution and maintain a running list of priorities.
Support long-term planning efforts, including season-readiness plans, hiring plans, and integration roadmaps.