Chief of Staff

About Pani

Pani Energy is made up of a world-class team of highly motivated individuals who share a mutual passion for the environment. We have created a web-based platform that enables the operators of water treatment facilities to operate their plants more efficiently, saving energy, consumables, and the environment. We are excited to tackle challenging problems for the betterment of society. Our workplace environment fosters and encourages both ingenuity and collaboration.

Pani is part of the 2024 Global Cleantech 100 list of companies committed to taking action on the climate crisis for our contribution to accelerating the water sector's transition to net zero, and we are looking for driven, enthusiastic people who share this vision.

Position Description

The Chief of Staff will work directly with the CEO and executive team to drive operational excellence across the organization. This role requires a dynamic individual who can identify and fill operational and administrative gaps, particularly in early-stage departments, and support company functional areas by owning and solving problems. This position is pivotal in ensuring the smooth execution of our company’s strategic initiatives and will be key in bridging gaps across departments. The Chief of Staff will act as a force multiplier for the CEO, enabling the leadership team to focus on driving growth and innovation. This role can be Remote Globally, Hybrid, or Full-time in office in either Victoria or Vancouver.

About You

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in scaling a SaaS company, particularly in roles that involve Marketing, Sales, and Product. You will have a strong strategic mindset, the ability to manage complex projects, and the flexibility to step into different roles as needed. You believe in lifelong learning and welcome the opportunity to constantly iterate and improve upon your skills. Fundamentally, you want to use your talents and energy to better the world for others and contribute to the responsible management of global water and energy, and CO2 reduction.

What you bring to the team

Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in a similar role, COO, CEO, Operational Senior Leader, with a proven track record of success in operational management, strategic planning, and scaling SaaS companies.
• Extensive experience in Marketing, Sales, and Product management, with a deep understanding of how these functions intersect to drive growth.
• Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing complex, high-impact projects from inception to completion.
• Experience working directly with C-level executives, with the ability to influence and drive decision-making at the highest levels of the organization.
• A history of identifying and solving operational inefficiencies, particularly in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Proven ability to create and implement process improvements that have led to significant enhancements in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth.
• Experience preparing and presenting reports, presentations, and strategic updates to boards, investors, and executive teams.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required. An MBA or equivalent advanced degree is strongly preferred.

Skills:

• Exceptional problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Strong project management expertise, with a history of managing multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate and build relationships across all levels of the organization.
• High level of adaptability and flexibility to respond to changing business needs and priorities.
• Strong leadership abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to lead and inspire teams, even in times of uncertainty or change.

Mindset:

• A proactive, self-starter attitude with the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and environments. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, comfortable with both high-level strategy and day-to-day execution.
• Passion for innovation, growth, and continuous improvement, with a commitment to the company’s mission and values.

Responsibilities

Operational Excellence:

• Identify operational and administrative gaps in earlier-stage departments. Take ownership of these gaps, especially in areas like sales administration, ensuring seamless operations and process improvements.

Problem Solving in Early-Stage Functional Areas:

• Step into functional areas of the company to understand problems in detail, identify root causes, and create project plans. Manage these plans operationally until the issues are resolved or handed over to department staff. Regularly update the CEO on progress.

CEO Support:

• Assist the CEO with ongoing needs, including preparing presentations for board meetings, investor updates, company operational updates, all-hands meetings, and key external events.

Strategic Projects:

• Take on and lead strategic projects that are critical to the company’s growth but do not fall within the current operational purview. Work closely with the CEO to ensure these projects align with the company's vision and objectives.

SaaS Scaling Expertise:

• Leverage your experience in scaling SaaS companies to drive growth at Pani Energy. This includes optimizing go-to-market strategies, refining product-market fit, enhancing customer acquisition and retention, and improving operational efficiency across departments. Provide insights and strategies that have been proven to work in high-growth SaaS environments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with department heads and other team members to drive initiatives that support the company’s goals. Ensure alignment across all functions to maintain operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Nice to Have:

• Experience in the water industry, ideally in water/wastewater treatment.
• Experience working for an industrial SaaS startup.

Does this role sound like the next step in your career?

Then we want to hear from you! If you don’t meet all of our requirements exactly, then we invite you to use your cover letter to tell us about your unique experience - we understand that talent comes from many places and that skills are transferable.

Compensation

Pani offers a competitive total rewards package which includes comprehensive health & dental benefits and paid time off. The annualized base salary range for this Victoria-based role is CAD $100,000 to $150,000. The base salary offered to the successful candidate will consider a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill set, level of experience applicable to the role they are being offered, and consideration of internal equity. Actual salaries may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including but not limited to location, experience, and expertise.

Our commitment to an extraordinary work environment

At Pani, our values drive how we work with each other, and we believe that being yourself at your place of work is just as important as the work you do. We strive to foster an inclusive and diverse community for all employees from all walks of life. So, no matter your gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, ethnicity, race, age, or geographical location, we are a community that welcomes you.

Our Pani Recruitment Team personally reviews each application.