Strategic Operations Associate

About SMEVentures

SMEVentures is the leading platform for Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) in Asia Pacific, with a core focus on the ANZ market. We've built a unique investment model that backs elite entrepreneurs to find, acquire, and lead established, profitable SMEs. We address the succession challenge faced by many SMEs by connecting talented entrepreneurs with retiring owners to continue their legacy and drive the next phase of growth.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Strategic Operations Associate to serve as a key operational engine for SMEVentures. This is a high-velocity, generalist position for a builder who loves to solve complex problems independently.

You will work to operationalize our investment model, automating workflows using the latest AI tools and managing critical deal logistics. You will get a front-row seat to the world of Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA), gaining exposure to business evaluation, deal structuring, and what it takes to buy and build companies. If you are hyper-organized, obsessed with efficiency, and ambitious enough to want to learn the investment business, this is your launchpad.

What You Will Drive

• Workflow Automation and AI Integration: You will not just follow processes; you will build them. You will identify bottlenecks in our operations and solve them using AI, no-code tools, and automations to increase our velocity.
• Deal Execution Logistics: You will gain exposure to the mechanics of M&A by managing the closing process. You will handle the flow of documents and information between lawyers, investors, and entrepreneurs to ensure smooth transactions.
• Generalist Problem Solving: You tackle the day-to-day operational hurdles that arise in a distributed team. If there is a problem that needs figuring out to keep the business moving, you are the first one to solve it.
• Cross-Functional Operations: You will handle a diverse array of critical initiatives. Whether it is researching a new market niche, organizing data for board review, or troubleshooting a tech issue, you are the person we trust to execute without needing hand-holding.

Our Cultural Foundation

• Act Like an Owner: You take radical accountability for outcomes, have a bias for action, and solve problems proactively.
• Accelerate to Win: You build repeatable playbooks and use technology as a force multiplier to create leverage and amplify impact.
• Commit to the Partnership: You build deep, resilient relationships founded on trust, candor, and unwavering, empathetic support.

Requirements

• The Problem-Solver Mindset: You do not wait for instructions. When you hit a wall, you climb over it. You are resourceful, comfortable with ambiguity, and have a relentless ability to solve undefined problems on the fly.
• Tech and AI Native: You are naturally curious about automation. You are the person who understands that technology is a leverage point, and you look for ways to automate repetitive tasks.
• High-Velocity and Detail Oriented: You move fast, but you do not break things. You have an eagle eye for detail—especially when it comes to contracts and documents—and you take pride in reliability.
• Intellectually Curious: You want to learn about business models, private equity, and search funds. You view this role as an education as much as a job.

Benefits

• Access and Education: You will work directly with experienced investors and entrepreneurs, gaining an education in ETA that you could not get in an MBA program.
• Autonomy: We do not micromanage. We give you a goal and trust you to find the best path to get there.
• Impact: Your work directly contributes to acquiring real businesses. You are not a cog in a machine; you are building the machine.

Ready to join us?

We are looking for a smart, high-velocity generalist who wants to build the operational machine behind SMEVentures. If you are passionate about solving problems, possess an eagle eye for detail, and are eager to support elite entrepreneurs by removing the friction from their day-to-day work, apply today.