Unusual Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on working with the very best enterprise software founders. We are looking for an Operating Partner to lead our Founder Services and Platform teams.
We want a builder — and, just as importantly, a manager and a coordinator: someone who will own the details, run the team, and make sure our support reaches founders on time and at quality.
The RoleThis is a builder's role with a Partner's scope and ownership. You will be one of Unusual's Operating Partners, on equal footing with our CFO and Operating Partner.
You will work closely with John Vrionis to organize and direct the resources of our Founder Services and Platform teams, and you will own the day-to-day — leading the people, setting priorities, and making sure our support reaches founders when and where they need it.
You will care deeply about helping founders, whatever the need. Some days that is a critical executive hire. Others it is sharpening go-to-market, opening a door to a customer, landing a piece of coverage, or getting a founder in the right room. You will meet each company where it is, at whatever stage, and marshal the firm's resources to move it forward.
Who You Are
A proven operator with a track record of success in enterprise software startups — as a Founder CEO or COO. (please do not apply if you do not have this experience).
You have built and scaled companies, and you know the difference between traction and noise.
You have built go-to-market and recruiting motions from the ground up, and you can coach founders on both with credibility.
You get real joy from helping founders succeed, and you have the standing to challenge them and be heard.
You are a strong leader of teams who can own execution and raise the performance of the people around you.
You have high standards and high empathy, and you bring calm, structured thinking to messy problems.
You care deeply about truth, clarity, and long-term company building.
You are values-driven. You care about integrity, substance, and doing the right thing.
What You'll Do
Own the day-to-day. Lead the Founder Services and Platform teams day-to-day — the people, the priorities, and the standards.
Organize the resources. Direct our talent, go-to-market, marketing, events, content, and customer-introduction resources so they reach the founders who need them most.
Help founders win. Meet founders at any stage — pre-seed through Series B — and help on whatever front matters: recruiting, go-to-market, customers, narrative, or coverage.
Build the playbook. Partner with John to shape how Unusual supports founders, and turn that into repeatable programs the team can deliver at quality.
Set the standard. Raise the bar for what “value-add” actually means in venture — and make it real, not theater.
Why This Seat
This is a chance to shape how venture support should work for the next decade. If you have built before — and now want to help others build better — this is the most meaningful seat you will find.
To learn more or express interest: reach out to Jon Volk at Unusual Ventures.
Skills Required
- Proven operator background as a CEO or COO in startups, ideally enterprise software
- Experience building and scaling companies (end-to-end operational experience)
- Built go-to-market and recruiting motions from the ground up and can coach founders credibly
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, set priorities, manage day-to-day operations, and own execution
- Experience working with early-stage startups (pre-seed through Series B)
- Strong program-building skills: create repeatable playbooks and high-quality founder services
- High standards, high empathy, calm structured thinking, and values-driven approach (integrity, substance)
- Ability to marshal firm resources across talent, marketing, events, content, and customer introductions
- Must be based in the Bay Area and live within reach of Menlo Park and San Francisco offices
What We Do
Unusual Ventures is raising the bar for what founders should expect from their venture investors. We enable startups with the hands on support and expertise they need to be successful during their early stage journey. Unusual Ventures is an early-stage firm that invests in both enterprise and consumer startups.
