Head of Operations

Trusted by 900,000 monthly active users, UpCodes (YC S17) is a comprehensive compliance and product research platform that accelerates design-to-construction in the AEC space. The construction industry suffers from unnecessary costs and complexity. Every year, billions of dollars are wasted on rework. We’re committed to delivering easy-to-use tools that help designers and builders spend less time finding the right compliance and product resources—and more time doing what they love—designing and building. We make a real-world, tangible impact on the lives of our users and the cities we live in.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a unique opportunity to step into an influential leadership role at a pivotal moment of growth. As Head of Operations, you’ll manage the essential business functions that keep UpCodes running smoothly day-to-day.

You'll directly oversee HR, Recruiting, Support, Finance, Accounting, Legal, Compliance, Government Relations, and General Operations while working closely with department heads and the cofounders. From budget tracking and compensation reviews to vendor management, planning cycles, and investor updates, your role is to bring clarity and executional excellence to complex operational areas while proactively identifying improvements to help the team run more effectively.

This is an ideal role for a leader who thrives in ambiguity, has deep experience in startup operations, and wants to help shape a mission-driven company with real-world impact.

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

• Own and improve core operational systems across Recruiting, Support, Finance, Legal, HR, and Compliance

• Lead a high-trust team of direct reports across Ops, Recruiting, and Support

• Build scalable processes and systems for planning, budgeting, contracting, compensation, and more

• Manage vendor relationships and external partnerships (law firms, tax advisors, insurance brokers, etc.)

• Drive company-wide planning processes, metrics tracking, and internal communications (including annual planning, All Hands, goal dashboards, etc.)

• Lead or support strategic projects and funding milestones

• Oversee our external Government Relations team and make trips to DC for lobbying efforts (to oppose private ownership of the law)

• Operate as a trusted partner to the cofounders and other department heads

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Experienced: Over 7 years of relevant experience, including 2+ years in a managerial or leadership role. You’ve led multiple operational functions (like HR, Finance, Compliance, Legal, Recruiting) at a fast-paced startup.

• Systems thinker: You’ve built or rebuilt core ops systems from the ground up, and bring structured thinking and process design to the table.

• Data-driven: You use data to set the right objectives and find the most effective solutions. Your decisions are backed by clear, defendable reasoning, but you also appreciate the role of intuition and conviction.

• Open to feedback: You’re good at managing feedback and using it as a driving force for your work. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple initiatives and perspectives simultaneously while maintaining an optimistic outlook. You're open-minded and not afraid to learn through trial and error, with the ability to navigate complex challenges with versatility and adaptability.

• Clear communicator: You write well, speak clearly, and can bring alignment and structure to ambiguous, high-stakes decisions.

• High trust & discretion: You’ve worked directly with execs/founders and handled sensitive issues around pay, equity, legal strategy, or HR.

• Execution-focused: You know when to get in the weeds and when to zoom out. You take full ownership of your areas, working autonomously and driving things forward—and your team moves faster because of you.