COO in Early-Stage Household Carbon Reduction StartUp - (Project RENEW)
Bristol or Surrounding
Studio – Commercial /
Part-time /
BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM (OR SOUTH WEST AREA WITH TRAVEL TO BRISTOL)PART TIME, MOVING TO FULL-TIME IN 2023
Founders Factory was launched in 2015 with a mission to power founders to go further, faster. To date we have built more than 60 startups and invested in a further 150 across offices in London, Johannesburg and New York. FF has a team of over 100 full-time operators and its portfolio has raised more than $600m in capital.
In our studio, we partner up with our corporate backers to create entirely new venture-backable concepts from scratch, always bringing an unfair advantage.
Once investment is released into a concept, we start looking for promising and passionate team members to turn the concept into an MVP and ultimately spin out into a fully-fledged business.
What’s Project RENEW?
RENEW is a home decarbonisation related start-up, funded in partnership with Nesta, and Founders Factory.
RENEW’s mission is to create happy, healthy homes for people and the planet.
There are ~26 million leaky properties in the UK, of which ~3.2 million are owned by private landlords. RENEW will help solve this problem by:
1) Buying leaky properties (EPC D or less).
2) Then renovating and retrofitting the properties, installing smart energy tech and upgrading to have a sought-after modern feel.
3) Letting the properties out to private tenants with bills included (and managing energy on their behalf).
4) Certifying carbon saved as tradable carbon credits.
5) Developing software to make the process easier, faster and more accurate.
The business is led by the Founder and CEO Rosa Stewart. Team includes development advisor Gus Zogolovitch and operational support from Founders Factory and Nesta teams.
As the COO you will be responsible for:
- Managing operations, starting in Bristol, including:
- Identifying and conducting due diligence on suitable properties, including management of legals and completion;
- Finding contractors and negotiating partnerships;
- Planning the renovation and retrofit works and interior design of the properties, working with a designer;
- Ordering materials; project managing and supervising the works of the first pilot projects;
- Managing advertising and letting out of the properties to tenants.
- Using the experience from the pilot projects, building the systems, processes and structures required to run the operations UK-wide.
- Attracting and leading talent for the operations team.
- The role would start part time in autumn 2022 (1-2 days a week) with a trajectory to grow into a full time COO role during 2023 following the next fundraise.
We are looking for:
- Deep passion towards decarbonising UK homes and tackling climate change
- Experience in construction, renovations, energy retrofits, related project management or operations
- Flexibility and grittiness to operate in a start-up environment
- Ability to inspire and build a team
Nice to haves:
- Experience of raising capital
- You’ve had an operational role in a property or construction related company
- You have an existing network in Bristol related to construction and property
- Experience in letting properties
What’s in it for you:
- We’ll be able to draw a salary/day rate from the Founders Factory & Nesta initial investment
- As we secure the next investment raise, we’ll be able to assign more for the team’s salary & move the role to full time
- Fair equity in the business based on your contribution and commitment
- Autonomy to set your own working patterns and ability to shape your role and build a team as we scale
- A unique opportunity to build a business that will scale and make an impact in tackling climate change
- Work with like-minded individuals who want to make a difference in decarbonising UK homes
- Work directly with the Founder & CEO (Rosa) helping shape an early stage startup on its journey
- Become part of the Founder's Factory entrepreneurial ecosystem & build relationships with industry leaders for life 💙
Founders Factory is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where people can authentically be themselves and are free to challenge, take risks and think creatively.
We recruit, develop, compensate and promote our team members based on merit. We know how important it is not only to include, but to actively seek out diversity of thought and experiences. We want to hear from you regardless of your race, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.
The requirements shared in our job descriptions are guidelines. If your skills are transferable and you are in the ballpark with the number of years of experience we are looking for, please apply and we will consider you for the role.
