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# Chief Operating Officer with a Venture-Backed SaaS Firm – San Jose, CA


Role Overview for Chief Operating Officer with a Venture-Backed SaaS Firm – San Jose, CA
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to identify a world-class Chief Operating Officer (COO) for a rapidly scaling, venture-backed B2B SaaS company based in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA. Our client is a category leader, transforming their industry with an innovative platform that has achieved significant product-market fit and is now poised for explosive growth. Backed by top-tier venture capital firms, they are at a critical inflection point, transitioning from a founder-led startup to a professionally managed, high-performance organization ready to dominate the market.
This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned operational executive to step into a pivotal leadership role and act as the right-hand partner to a visionary CEO. The COO will be the organizational anchor, responsible for translating the company’s strategic vision into a flawlessly executed operational plan. You will be the driving force behind building the infrastructure, processes, and systems required to scale revenue, optimize efficiency, and foster a culture of accountability and excellence.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a bias for action, a data-driven mindset, and a proven track record of scaling SaaS businesses through hyper-growth phases (e.g., from $15M to $100M+ ARR). You will own the company’s operating rhythm, ensure cross-functional alignment, and mentor a team of high-performing leaders, ultimately shaping the future trajectory of the entire organization.
Success in this role means building a durable, efficient, and scalable operational machine that enables predictable growth and long-term value creation. You will be instrumental in preparing the company for future funding rounds and potential exit scenarios, making this a highly impactful and rewarding C-suite position.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer with a Venture-Backed SaaS Firm – San Jose, CA
The Chief Operating Officer will have a broad mandate, overseeing and optimizing the company’s internal operations to support its ambitious growth targets. Key responsibilities include:
Strategic Planning & Execution
Collaborate directly with the CEO and executive team to set and drive the company’s strategic priorities. Translate high-level strategy into tangible, actionable goals and operational plans for all departments. Own the annual and quarterly planning process (OKRs/V2MOM), ensuring alignment and accountability across the organization.
Operational Excellence & Scalability
Design, implement, and continuously improve business processes, systems, and infrastructure to enhance efficiency and support rapid scale. Oversee key operational functions, which may include Sales Operations, Marketing Operations, Customer Success, Professional Services, and General & Administrative (G&A) functions.
Data-Driven Performance Management
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational dashboards, focusing on critical key SaaS metrics such as Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), Lifetime Value (LTV), Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Net Revenue Retention (NRR), and Churn. Use data to drive insights, inform strategic decisions, and manage performance against company goals.
Financial Oversight & P&L Management
Partner closely with the CEO and CFO/Head of Finance on budgeting, financial forecasting, and resource allocation. Manage the company’s P&L to ensure capital efficiency and drive profitable growth. Provide operational insights to support fundraising activities and board-level reporting.
Leadership, Team Development & Culture
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of senior leaders. Foster a culture of ownership, transparency, and continuous improvement. Champion the company’s values and act as a key culture carrier, ensuring the organization attracts and retains top talent as it scales.
Go-to-Market (GTM) Alignment
Ensure seamless collaboration and alignment between Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success teams. Optimize the end-to-end customer lifecycle, from lead generation to renewal and expansion, to maximize revenue and customer satisfaction.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as the connective tissue for the executive team, ensuring strong communication and partnership between all functions, including Product, Engineering, Sales, and Marketing. Remove operational roadblocks and facilitate effective decision-making.
Risk Management & Compliance
Oversee legal, compliance, and risk management functions to ensure the company operates with integrity and is protected as it grows in complexity. Manage key vendor relationships and contract negotiations.
Requirements for the Chief Operating Officer with a Venture-Backed SaaS Firm – San Jose, CA
We are seeking an exceptional leader with a deep understanding of the SaaS business model and a demonstrated ability to execute in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
Executive Leadership Experience
A minimum of 15+ years of progressive professional experience, with at least 5-7 years in a senior operational leadership role (e.g., COO, GM, VP of Operations) within a B2B SaaS company.
Proven Scaling Track Record
Demonstrable experience scaling a venture-backed SaaS company through significant growth stages, ideally from sub-$20M ARR to $75M-$100M ARR or beyond. You must have a playbook for growth and be able to speak to your specific contributions.
SaaS Acumen
Deep expertise in SaaS business models, metrics, and best practices across GTM and post-sale functions. You are fluent in the language of ARR, NRR, LTV/CAC, and cohort analysis.
Financial & Analytical Rigor
Strong financial literacy and P&L management experience. A highly analytical and data-driven approach to problem-solving and decision-making is essential.
Inspirational Leadership
A ‘player-coach’ mentality with a proven ability to recruit, mentor, and inspire A-player talent. You lead by example and are skilled at building and motivating high-performance teams.
Strategic Mindset
The ability to think strategically and see the big picture, while also being willing and able to roll up your sleeves and dive into the details to solve problems.
Exceptional Communication Skills
Superior verbal, written, and presentation skills. You can articulate a clear and compelling vision and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including employees, executives, investors, and the Board of Directors.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree is required. An MBA or other advanced degree from a top-tier institution is highly preferred.
Location
Ability to work from the San Jose, CA headquarters in a hybrid model is strongly preferred.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to building a rewarding and supportive environment for its team. As a key member of the executive team, you will be offered a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation package, including:
Competitive Cash Compensation
A compelling base salary and performance-based bonus structure designed to reward excellence.
Significant Equity Stake
A meaningful equity grant, providing a substantial opportunity for wealth creation tied to the company’s success.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company.
Retirement Savings Plan
Access to a 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Generous Paid Time Off
A flexible and generous PTO policy, including company-wide holidays, to encourage work-life balance and rejuvenation.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continuous learning, including conferences, courses, and certifications to support your professional growth.
Modern Work Environment
A state-of-the-art office in San Jose, equipped with the latest technology and amenities, offering a flexible hybrid work model.
Additional Perks
Regular team-building events, catered lunches, wellness stipends, and other perks designed to foster a positive and collaborative culture.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive search firm for this confidential Chief Operating Officer position. We are committed to a transparent, respectful, and efficient recruitment process. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost discretion.
If you are a driven, results-oriented operational leader with a passion for scaling innovative SaaS companies, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this exceptional opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role.
For more information about our expertise in this domain, please visit our Technology & SaaS Executive Search practice area page. JRG Partners is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all candidates and employees.