Chief Operating Officer
Caruso is the AI-native fund administration platform for private markets. We replace legacy systems with modern software and integrated services, helping fund managers save time, impress investors, and grow AUM.
Since launching just over two years ago, Caruso has grown rapidly to $80B+ in assets, 900+ funds, and 80,000+ investors on the platform. We just completed our Series A capital raise, and are looking for smart, ambitious people to help us build a global business.
Learn more at getcaruso.com.
Role summary
We're looking for a Chief Operating Officer to partner directly with the CEO and build the operating spine of Caruso as we scale globally. This is a rare opportunity to use AI to help revolutionise an industry that still runs on spreadsheets and manual processes, sitting at the top table of a business at the inflection point between startup and scale-up. You'll sit as a true peer to our CTO, CFO, and other future C-suite roles.
The scope of the role will evolve as Caruso scales. Initially you'll lead a small operations team, own People & Culture, and partner closely with our services and customer teams, picking up the cross-functional projects that don't yet have a natural home. Over the first 18 to 24 months, as the business grows, the role deepens into full global COO scope.
What you'll do
Partner with the CEO. Be the operational extension of the CEO. Own the cadence of business reviews, OKRs, and leadership offsites. Take on the cross-functional problems that need senior ownership but don't fit neatly under any one function.
Pick up the hard cross-functional work. Step into whatever needs an integrator. A struggling implementation, a process re-design in fund admin services, a key customer escalation. You're the person we trust to sort it out.
Support services and customer teams. Partner with Fund Admin Services and Client Experience leaders to remove blockers, sharpen operating rhythm, and bring AI-driven leverage into how the teams work day to day.
Build the global operating rhythm. Establish the reporting, dashboards, and business review cadence that let a global business run predictably across three geographies.
Manage and grow the operations team. Lead and scale the operational functions under you as the business grows: People & Culture; Legal, Risk and Governance; BizOps; and the AI Enablement / Internal Tooling team. Hire the leaders, build the teams, set the bar.
Own M&A integration. As we evaluate and execute acquisitions, lead the diligence and integration workstreams alongside the CEO and CFO.
What we're looking for
12+ years in senior operating roles, ideally a mix of top-tier management consulting (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) and time spent in a COO, VP Ops, Chief of Staff, or senior operator seat at a high-growth company.
Track record of picking up cross-functional problems with no clear owner and driving them to resolution. You're the person people trust to sort it out.
AI-native. You've used LLMs to build real projects at work or on your own, and you're energised by the idea of applying these tools to scale an operating engine. Come ready to share examples.
Commercially literate. Comfortable reading financials, building business cases, and challenging spend or investment decisions.
Builder mindset. You love designing operating rhythms, dashboards, and decision frameworks that help teams move faster and land cleaner.
Calm under pressure. The role takes on whatever is hardest right now. You need the temperament to thrive in that.
Ideally based in Sydney, with flexibility for the right person. Willingness to travel across NZ, AU, and the US as the business requires.
Benefits
Equity ownership. Be part of the leadership team driving Caruso's next phase of growth.
C-Suite role with scope that grows as the business scales. You'll sit directly alongside the global CEO and own the operating spine of a company at an inflection point.
Genuine autonomy, impact, and visibility across every part of the business.
Industry-leading technology and a customer base of leading private fund managers.
Comprehensive health insurance.
Flexible work from home arrangements. When in the office, enjoy our premium Sydney space close to the city's best bars and cafes.
Workstation package including MacBook Pro, dual screens, and AirPods Pro.
5 weeks annual leave after 2 years tenure, 6 weeks of annual leave after 3 years tenure.
Unlimited sick leave.
Extended parental leave.
