Head of Ops - Side Stage Ventures
About Side Stage Ventures
Side Stage Ventures is a founder-led seed fund that backs the next generation of outlier founders in Australia.
We are focused on building a world-class fund that empowers outlier founders and provides them with the support and capital they need to build exceptional businesses.
We’re looking for a Head of Ops to join our Sydney-based team.
This is a hands-on role at the centre of the firm. You’ll work closely with the investment team across deal execution, fund operations, LP communications, and founder support — building the systems, processes and cadence that allow the fund to operate at a world-class level.
You’ll have real ownership, broad exposure, and the opportunity to shape how the firm runs day-to-day.
As the fund scales, this role will grow in scope and seniority, with the opportunity to take on broader operational leadership over time.
Deal & Portfolio Operations
- Drive the end-to-end deal execution process, including legal and commercial diligence through to close
- Work closely with fund administration, compliance and legal partners to maintain strong governance
- Ensure founders, LPs and partners receive thoughtful, timely and high-quality support
- Create & run thoughtful founder and portfolio engagement programs including overseeing the founder innovation hub.
- Ensure we have best-in-class investor reporting, updates and communications with a high bar for clarity, responsiveness, and execution.
- Own LP reporting and day-to-day relationship management, acting as a trusted point of contact across the fund lifecycle, including fundraising and co-investments.
- Coordinate founder engagement programs, events and resources that genuinely add value
- You have 2-5 years of legal, finance or consulting experience, and are excited to apply that foundation more broadly across transactions, operations, and relationship management
- You care deeply about founders and can point to moments where your judgment and follow-through made a real difference
- You’re a digital and AI native and enjoy building systems that make teams more effective
- You combine commercial judgment with strong attention to detail, and can calmly steer complex processes to completion
- You GSD. Like to move fast and have a high attention to detail
- You have the right to work in Australia
- Opportunity to work with and learn from experienced founders and investors
- Exposure to cutting-edge startups and technologies
- A beautiful Sydney-based office (in-person Monday-Thursday)
- Competitive salary and carry
- Chance to make a significant impact on the Australian startup ecosystem
If you are passionate about startups, have a reputation for getting things done, and want to be part of building something extraordinary, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply by February 1st.
At Side Stage Ventures, we are guided by the following values, and we expect our Head of Operations to embody and promote these principles:
We always remember that we back founders. It is their business and we are part of the support team. We behave like founders - with passion, enthusiasm and belief - and we know that what is best for founders is best for us.
We do the right thing even when no-one is looking. We build conviction and then have 100% trust in our team and our founders and we expect the same in return. We are a team, not just a collection of individuals. We take responsibility & share the wins and the mistakes together.
We create safe spaces for our founders, teammates and LP’s. We thrive on debate, we challenge our team and our founders directly and with honesty, but always caring deeply. No question is a stupid question and vigorous debate and disagreement is encouraged.
We believe that entrepreneurship is a force for good in the world. We back entrepreneurs who are changing the world - for the better. This might be through the core problem they are solving (such as Climate change or Health) but could equally be in the way they build and hire people or create opportunities for others.
Venture is a long game. We play long term games with long term people. We plan to be here for decades and we want to work with and invest in people who will be here too. We recognise the trust that our founders & LP’s place in us as long term partners and we don’t take this responsibility lightly.
Done is better than perfect. Speed matters. We leave everything on the field. We are proactive, move fast and take the initiative. We like to GSD.
7. Crazy ideas change the world Many of the world’s most impactful ideas sounded crazy at first. It’s so easy to attack new ideas and be right. The hard thing is to challenge, support, nurture and stake our reputations on new ideas.
