Chief of Staff to the CEO

A&B Smart Materials is an Oxford University-based materials science venture founded by Oxbridge graduates. We are pioneering sustainable, biobased, and biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to replace synthetic, petroleum-based SAPs-used in hygiene (e.g. diapers, menstrual pads, cosmetics) and agriculture-that are set to be banned in Europe by 2028 in soils.

SAPs are "magic-like" materials that absorb hundreds of times their weight in water, representing a $9B global market today, projected to reach $17.6B by 2035. A&B Smart Materials has already secured traction with global leaders (e.g. LOI's).

Our mission is to disrupt this market through innovative chemistry, IP-driven technology, and a scalable licensing model that achieves both performance and price parity by 2028 to replace the synthetic SAP by 2028.

We are looking for a Chief of Staff to the CEO, a pivotal role at the intersection of strategy, operations, and business development. This is not a traditional back-office role; it is a high-impact, entrepreneurial position for someone eager to shape the trajectory of a fast-growing deeptech company.

As Chief of Staff, you will work side-by-side with the Founder & CEO to amplify leadership capacity, drive execution across strategic initiatives, and ensure the company's commercial, financial, and organisational priorities are delivered. You will be exposed to all aspects of building and scaling a venture-backed cleantech company, from defining go-to-market strategy to managing investors, partners, and internal operations.

Key areas of responsibility include

• Investor Relations & Fundraising: Supporting the CEO in sourcing, managing, and closing investment opportunities; preparing pitch materials, financial models, and investor updates.
• Commercial Strategy & Market Analysis: Developing and stress-testing the go-to-market strategy, including pricing models, market entry timing, and competitive positioning across hygiene, agriculture, and adjacent SAP markets.
• Business Development & Partnerships: Coordinating engagement with major corporates (chemical manufacturers, hygiene brands, agricultural distributors), driving opportunities from first contact to signed LOIs and contracts.
• Marketing & Outreach: Leading outreach campaigns to potential clients, investors, and stakeholders; shaping the company's brand and presence across digital and physical channels.
• Organisational Effectiveness: Helping define company OKRs, building internal management tools, and setting clear milestones for both technical and commercial teams.
• Culture & Incentives: Working with the CEO to define incentive structures, foster a high-performance culture, and align the team around shared goals.
• Special Projects: Acting as the CEO's right hand on ad-hoc strategic projects - whether preparing for a board meeting, evaluating a new market opportunity, or supporting IP and regulatory strategy.

This is a unique role for someone who wants to learn how to build a high-growth science venture from the inside, while also taking on executive-level responsibility early. The Chief of Staff will not just support decision-making but will be expected to lead initiatives, represent the company externally, and grow into a senior leadership role as the company scales.

Essential qualifications and skills

• Degree in business, economics, engineering, or a related field (MBA or MSc is a plus).
• Strong analytical skills with proven experience in market research, financial modelling, and strategy development.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills (investors, corporate partners, clients).
• Ability to manage projects independently and coordinate across technical and commercial teams.
• Proven interest in sustainability, cleantech, or deeptech startups.

Desirable

• Experience in fundraising (VCs, angel investors, or grant funding).
• Background in consulting, investment banking, venture capital, or scaling early-stage startups.
• Knowledge of polymers, materials, or adjacent markets (hygiene, agriculture, consumer goods).
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong organisational and leadership abilities.

5. Other Information

• Location: Oxford, UK (Begbroke Science Park). Hybrid/remote flexibility possible.
• Start date: As soon as possible.
• Impact: You will play a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of sustainable SAPs, helping to displace non-biodegradable plastics in hygiene and agriculture globally.
• Culture: We are a small, ambitious, and collaborative team. We value curiosity, ownership, and the drive to turn cutting-edge science into world-changing impact.