Launch Operations Principal
Designer Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage tech companies using design to improve health, sustainability, or prosperity for people. It backs founding teams, particularly those with design backgrounds, across sectors like fintech, healthcare, climate tech, and developer tools.
About Designer Fund
Designer Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in tech companies leveraging design to drive positive outcomes in health, sustainability, and financial prosperity. Its portfolio spans a wide range of sectors including financial infrastructure (Stripe), preventative health (Omada), collaborative tools (Notion), developer tools (Netlify), product management (Linear), payroll and benefits (Gusto), design tools (Framer), and healthcare infrastructure (Commure), among dozens of other companies across fintech, climate tech, healthcare, EdTech, and AI. The firm also runs 'Designer Founders,' a community and platform highlighting designers who have gone on to found and lead companies, reflecting its focus on backing design-driven founders and design-centric startups from early stages through growth and acquisition.
Skills
About the Role
You will sit at the intersection of operational strategy and execution, launching a growing pipeline of new, complex services across markets. For each launch, you will serve as the leader of a transit network transformation, taking full ownership of the technology and operational transition, service performance, partner relationships, and a 30+ frontline team. You will set up Via's newest services in high-visibility markets that require building new operational systems from the ground up, not just managing existing ones. This is a unique leadership and operating opportunity for anyone eager to lead and launch high-stakes, high-visibility, and high-impact new markets. Expect to travel up to 50% of the time.
Requirements
- Minimum of 5+ years of experience in operations, consulting, strategy, tech or a field with meaningful client accountability and a demonstrated ability to lead big projects and develop teams
- Ownership mentality with ability to plan ahead, manage risks and design processes
- Leadership instinct and experience motivating and inspiring individuals from drivers to executives
- Effective at managing multiple tasks simultaneously, delegating, prioritizing, and taking responsibility
- Attention to detail and operational judgment
- Partner and stakeholder sophistication for managing complex, high-stakes relationships
- Mission alignment with serving public agencies and communities
- Flexible and adaptable to rapidly changing situations
- Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time
Responsibilities
- Own and manage launch of new Via services, from technology implementation to operational setup
- Define and manage against KPIs spanning on-time performance, rider satisfaction, safety, and cost efficiency
- Translate weekly and monthly performance data into decisions
- Lead a 30+ team of field operators and drivers during the launch transition, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and culture setting
- Build an operation where people feel accountable, supported, and proud of what they're delivering
- Hire, develop and train frontline leaders who will run the long-term operations
- Own Via's relationship with the transit agency partner
- Represent Via to community stakeholders, local officials, and riders
- Drive continuous improvement across vehicle operations, maintenance protocols, and service delivery
- Identify and execute cost and efficiency improvements that strengthen margin without compromising service
- Influence the product roadmap for Via's newest product lines
Benefits
- Free medical plans
- 401K matching
- Catered lunch on Wednesdays