Head of Operations

About Prior Labs

Prior Labs is pioneering the use of foundation models for structured data, aiming to revolutionize how complex tables underpin critical domains including clinical trials, finance, and scientific research. Building on breakthroughs in large language models, Prior Labs develops tabular foundation models to advance machine learning for structured data. Their TabPFN v2 model achieved recognition as a Nature cover story, setting new state-of-the-art benchmarks and garnering widespread adoption from healthcare to industrial applications.

Role Overview

The Head of Operations will report to the Co-CEO (GTM and Operations) and assume leadership for operational excellence across the company. This role involves overseeing and evolving company-wide processes that enable rapid growth, partnering closely with functional leads in Finance, Legal, People, IT, InfoSec, and Compliance to create unified operational systems. The leadership responsibility includes building and growing an operations team capable of supporting substantial company expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage operational processes that enable scaling growth in headcount, revenue, and complexity, anticipating and resolving challenges before they impede progress.
• Drive operational excellence within finance, legal, HR, and broader back-office functions, ensuring seamless integration and no gaps across departments.
• Navigate complex cross-functional problems by coordinating stakeholders effectively to deliver shared outcomes.
• Act as a decision partner by evaluating trade-offs, surfacing risks early, and facilitating data-driven, timely leadership decisions.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing operations team that elevates organizational standards and execution quality.

Candidate Profile

Essential Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience managing high-growth organizations and scaling operational systems to meet evolving demands.
• Experience operating across multiple countries and time zones, adept at managing global compliance and coordination.
• Broad operational expertise across at least two of these functions: finance, people, legal, and business operations.
• Proven leadership skills to inspire and develop operations teams and to be recognized as a leader among peers.

Highly Desirable:

• Background in data, developer tools, or artificial intelligence sectors with an ability to engage credibly with technical and research-driven teams.
• Experience building operations functions that scale a company from startup phase to significant growth.

Work Environment and Values

• Thrives on constructing scalable systems enabling the next phase of growth rather than maintaining existing structures.
• Exhibits radical ownership by tackling difficult challenges directly and responsibly.
• Practices pragmatic process development, providing structure proportional to current needs without overcomplication.
• Maintains calm, decisive leadership amidst ambiguity and competing priorities, setting a professional standard for the team.

Location and Work Setup

Preferred candidates will be based in Prior Labs’ hubs in New York or Berlin. Exceptions for hybrid or fully remote work will be considered in exceptional cases, typically requiring frequent travel and participation in company gatherings.

Company Culture

Joining Prior Labs means working within a focused, ambitious team dedicated to impacting AI for structured data. Employees collaborate with world-class researchers and developers who value rigorous thinking, craftsmanship, and meaningful impact. The company prioritizes a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Commitment to Diversity and Privacy

Prior Labs values diversity of perspectives and backgrounds and strives to maintain an inclusive environment free from discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, origin, disability, or other personal traits. Candidate data is handled with care under a defined privacy policy.