There are so many titles floating around our profession that I am loath to add yet another one, but one that keeps catching my attention is “Founder Associate.”
It’s being used more and more in start-ups and scale-ups, often described as the founder’s “right hand.” Sound familiar? It should.
But here’s the difference.
A senior assistant usually operates within structure. You enable leaders to lead. You create order from complexity.
A Founder Associate operates without structure. They’re building the plane while flying it.
They test, build, and operationalise ideas from scratch. They don’t just support the vision, they help to create it.
For some of you, that will sound chaotic. For others, exciting.
And that’s exactly the point. The skills overlap; influence, prioritisation, problem-solving, and execution. But the environment demands a different kind of resilience.
So if you’re scanning job boards and see “Founder Associate,” don’t scroll past it.
Ask yourself honestly – do I want to work within a system or build one?
Both paths require intelligence, partnership, and courage. The key is knowing which one feels like home.
